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Russell on Red Bull penalty: 'On paper it looks worse than it is'
Red Bull Racing exceeded its budget ceiling in 2021 and for that it was presented with the bill at the end of last year: ten per cent less time in the wind tunnel and a $7 million fine. George Russell does not think it will hurt the current world champion as much as it looks on paper.
Because the formation of Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez finished first in the constructors' championship last year and Mercedes third, Red Bull is allowed to spend less time in the wind tunnel anyway. This is because of the aero handicap introduced in 2021.
Red Bull would be allowed to spend 70 per cent wind tunnel time in 2023, Mercedes 80 per cent. On top of this, however, comes the penalty of the budget cap overrun, which means the Milton Keynes-based team is now only allowed 63 per cent of the total. Indeed, ten per cent of 70 per cent is seven per cent.
Russell on impact of penalty
"I think it can be a factor," Russell acknowledged in an interview with Auto, Motor und Sport. "But the benefit Red Bull has is they started from such a high level and they had the foundations there. We are using our wind tunnel time to find answers. For example, is that the direction we need to go, or is that the direction we need to go? Whereas Red Bull, because they were on the right track from the beginning, they are not problem solving, they are just adding performance."
Therefore, the British Mercedes driver does not know exactly how big the impact is going to be. "Even though it sounds like we have a lot more wind tunnel time, because they were on the right track from the start, I don't think it will hurt them as much as it seems on paper. Because we probably use that extra 10% solving our problems, which Red Bull have already solved."
So much less time Red Bull has in wind tunnel
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