In its first year of introduction, the budget cap already saw an infraction from Red Bull. However, the judgment for the same came almost a year after the 2021 season’s conclusion. The delayed reveal did not affect the punishment as FIA penalized the Milton Keynes-based outfit. A “draconian” punishment that the team accepted to avoid court.

The world championship-winning team accepted the punishment from the governing body with a pinch of salt. The punishment, as we know, is a fine of $7 million, with a 10 percent reduction in wind tunnel testing and CFD development. This is a harsh punishment, according to Red Bull Racing’s bosses, as it will cost the team lap time in 2023.

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Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s advisor, revealed they only accepted the punishment to avoid a legal battle. A legal battle they would’ve faced had they challenged FIA’s decision.

“I agree with Christian Horner, who spoke of ‘draconian’ and estimates that we lose two to five-tenths per lap. The key will be to work even more efficiently to offset the disadvantage… We accepted the penalty because we wanted to avoid a possible year-long legal battle,” revealed Dr. Marko to Laola 1, as reported by Express.

Read More: “There Could Be Six Teams…”: Christian Horner Makes Bold 2022 “Budget Cap” Claim After FIA Dished Out a $7M Fine to Red Bull

Dr. Marko comments echo’s Christian Horner’s comments about the penalty for the team. “10 percent less wind tunnel time and other aerodynamic tools is a draconian penalty,” said Horner in the past.

However, the 10 percent reduction will become a massive obstacle, a consequence of them winning the 2022 season’s Constructors’ Championship.

Red Bull will face a major challenge in 2023 after winning the championship in 2022

As per the FIA regulations, the winning team gets less time in the wind tunnel. Keeping this in mind, and Red Bull‘s cost cap breach penalty, the Austrian team will face a major challenge in 2023.

According to FIA’s regulation, the team that finishes first in the constructors gets 70 percent of the full wind tunnel running, which equates to 224 runs. Ferrari, which finished second, will get 75 percent and approximately 240 runs. Whereas Mercedes will get 80 percent and 256 runs.

After Red Bull’s penalty, they will only will get 63% equating to 202 runs.

Watch This Story: Christian Horner Unhappy with 2022 Budget Cap, Calls for Urgent Attention

This scenario gives Mercedes a 27 percent advantage over Red Bull. Can the team back in Brackley take advantage of this scenario and close the gap with Red Bull?