'Red Bull Racing must go through the motions to protect Verstappen's titles'

Rumours are buzzing around Red Bull Racing's budget cap saga. The Italian branch of Motorsport.com claims that the team would have an agreement with the FIA, but would have to go through the dust publicly to do so. This agreement would especially antagonise competitors.

The budget cap soap

The world title is decided and ahead of the United States Grand Prix, it could still be about the constructors' world title. However, the hot topic of conversation is the budget cap. Ever since the FIA announced after the Singapore GP that Red Bull Racing had exceeded it, the paddock has been in turmoil.

On Thursday, it already became clear that there would be a press conference by Red Bull Racing on Friday morning (US time). In it, Red Bull would clarify the budget cap. It was also rumoured that the FIA would have proposed a punishment to Red Bull. On Thursday, however, it was assumed that Red Bull was going to explain this in a press event, as the team has so far vehemently denied having exceeded the budget cap.

However, it later became clear that the press event will not go ahead after all, but the Italian branch of Motorsport.com has heard otherwise. The medium states that the FIA has indeed made a proposal to Red Bull Racing. If Red Bull accepts this, it would be admitting guilt but securing Max Verstappen's world title(s). The punishment would then be more on limiting Red Bull's wind tunnel time in 2023 and further limiting its finances.

Red Bull must go through the dust

Contrary to earlier reports, the Italian medium manages to report that Christian Horner will first sit down with Mohammed Ben Sulayem from the FIA, to iron out all the creases, before a press event from Red Bull. In this press conference, Red Bull will have to get through the dust, admit guilt and reverse everything that has been said (by Red Bull) in recent days about the FIA and its procedures.

If Red Bull does not agree to this, the dispute will go to a higher court for a ruling. In that case, there is also the risk of points being deducted from the championship in 2021 and 2022. That could have major consequences for Verstappen and Red Bull would want to avoid that.

Should Red Bull do agree, the competition will not be happy. After all, Red Bull will get away with it in their eyes and it also sets a bad standard for the future. After all, if a team knows they can go over the budget cap without losing a title, they will certainly do so if there is another exciting battle like the one in 2021.