Verstappen frustrated over budget cap: 'Some things are very unexpected'

The budget cap talks between the FIA and Red Bull Racing appear to have finally come to an end. Max Verstappen still finds it frustrating that his team has been found guilty of a breach, but the Dutchman will be happy to put the issue to one side.

Details of the agreement between the FIA and Red Bull are expected to be announced on the Friday before the Mexican Grand Prix. The Milton Keynes-based team has scheduled a press conference at 11:30am local time where Christian Horner will explain more about the matter.

Red Bull is likely to receive a fine and a reduction in wind tunnel time in 2023. Aston Martin will only be fined, as the team was found guilty of a procedural violation. Red Bull actually overspent in 2021.

On Thursday in Mexico, Verstappen gets a question from The Race asking whether he is looking forward to the budget cap issue finally being resolved. The Dutchman is still surprised that his team has been found guilty of an offence.

"It's just a bit frustrating. From our side we feel like we are not wrong. Just some things are taken into the budget cap which are very unexpected, but we’ll have to deal with it. It’s not up to me to decide what’s right.”

Verstappen denounces 'sour' fans

Verstappen controversially won the 2021 world title in the very last round of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Some fans will use the budget cap violation as a reason to once again focus on the title battle with Lewis Hamilton. The FIA never considered taking away the Dutchman's first world title after the budget cap violation was announced, but not all fans agree.

"They are sore anyway, so it doesn’t matter what you say or what you do", the two-time world champion responds. At least Verstappen can put the issue to one side. "From my side, I can. Probably they can’t and they will never be able to. So that’s a problem for them to deal with.”