Red Bull and Ferrari think Formula 1 should consider changing how the cost of crash damage impacts the ability to meet the budget cap.
This year, all teams are limited to $145m to cover the costs of developing both the 2021 and 2022 cars plus the operational costs of running two cars on track for 23 races.
Mercedes and Red Bull, in particular, have been left to count the pennies a little closer after very expensive crashes at Imola and Silverstone, with Red Bull reeling from more damage caused by Valtteri Bottas on the opening lap in Hungary.
“Is he going to pay the bill?” team boss Christian Horner snapped to the media after reportedly not accepting an apology from Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff post-race.
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“It is racing. Toto wasn’t driving the car, Valtteri was and I am sure he didn’t tell him to drive into the Red Bull.
“But I am also sure he isn’t sorry about the result and the consequence of it for us is brutal.
“Obviously, you’ve got to look at what’s within the cost cap, it’s spare parts, it’s the engines as well that are particularly concerning so I think we need to revisit this with the FIA because ultimately it is something that could affect all teams not just Red Bull.”
Ferrari too was left to rue a lost engine for Charles Leclerc in Budapest and when asked about Horner’s comments, team boss Mattia Binotto offered his own solution.
“I think it’s a good point, and I think there is value for discussions in the near future with the other team principals, FIA and F1,” he said.
“If we look at the crash of Max and Lewis [at Silverstone], obviously if you’re not guilty, having such damages in the budget cap is even more of a consequence now. Should we add exemptions? I’m not sure that is the solution. I think it may be very difficult to police.
“But I think that what we may consider, that if a driver is guilty, then the team of that driver should pay at least to the other teams for the damages and repairs, that will make the driver more responsible.”
However, McLaren chief Andreas Seidl was quick to rule out any possibility of adjusting the budget cap rules.
“No, not at all, and I definitely will not go in the direction Christian is going, mentioning in every second sentence the cost cap and how much you get hurt by it by every accident on the track,” he commented.
“In the end, that is part of the game we are in. It is down to us to manage the budget in the right way.”