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F1 team principles break silence on budget cap punishments for teams

F1 team principles break silence on budget cap punishments for teams

30-09-2022 16:05 Last update: 16:12
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Toby McLuskie

Guenther Steiner, Otmar Szafnauer and Fred Vasseur have all shared their thoughts regarding the swirling news of teams breaking the new F1 budget cap restrictions. Red Bull and Aston Martin are the two teams rumoured to be overspending and in some eyes, this money overspent, small or large, should be punished fairly.

“I think the FIA have to appropriately punish those who have gone over," Szafnauer told Autosport, "you have to first understand how big the breach was, and then what an appropriate penalty is.”

The Alpine team principal then explained his desire for teams to be punished due to the advantage that could be gained with any extra money. He finished off by explaining how the development of any team's car and the speed of this development, all depends on the money and time put into it, meaning the teams that budget correctly are at a major disadvantage compared to their rivals.

Steiner wants penalties handed out

Haas' team manager Steiner's response was extremely similar to Szafnauer's, stating: "I mean, if you breach it, and the regulations say that the penalty needs to be this one, that needs to be this one, because, in the end, we are talking about money.”

He further added that even if the breach was over a year ago, the monetary value gained from being in those positions is the only benefit.

Cost cap important in F1

Vasseur held the same feelings as the two aforementioned and explained how important it was to have the cost cap within the sport, explaining how the money put into the cars and development will be of lasting help. The Frenchman highlighted the need to be strict, due to the extreme need to fulfil certain aspects of the car in order to avoid being disqualified, before ending by saying that the FIA need to take action."