Valtteri Bottas says he hopes Red Bull will be delivered a penalty that “hurts” after the FIA found it had breached last year’s budget cap.
Red Bull was found guilty of a “minor” overspend of the cost quota, which is set at $145 million.
The amount that it exceeded it by could be as high as $7m, with a minor breach considered to be less than five per cent.
Red Bull has asserted that its accounts were below the cap, and on Thursday, it was reported that the FIA made the energy drink-backed outfit an offer.
However, Bottas has backed the FIA to come down hard on Red Bull to set a clear precedent.
“The rules are the rules and if you don’t follow them, there should be a penalty that really hurts,” Botta said.
“Personally I hope that it’s going to be a strict and harsh penalty because that shouldn’t happen. The rules are the rules.
“There’s many rules in F1 and this should be no different in terms of the penalty. Let’s hope that it’s a good penalty that really hurts them, because I was in the fight last year for the Constructors’ [with Mercedes].
“Yes, we got that but we missed the Drivers’ title by a few points and a few millions can make a big, big difference.”
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is also keen to see Red Bull be handed a strong penalty to stop teams from abusing the system.
“I think every team and every driver we want clarity first of all and secondly fairness,” he said.
“We all know how much one, two three four million, I don’t know what’s the number, can make to car development and car speed in F1.
“Five years ago, everyone was spending $350m, or the top teams were spending $350m. Now we’re spending $150m to get these things under control.
“I just hope that if there’s a penalty, the penalty is relatively important to take the appetite away from overspending two or three million to waste on next year’s car, because you think next year’s car is worth it more than the other year, and then you take a penalty for it.
“I think it needs to be fair play for everyone and if there’s a cost cap it’s there to be followed. I hope that the FIA takes the right decision to make sure everyone follows it.”
There is only 1 penalty that will hurt Red Bull & at the same time scare every other team from breaking the cost cap
That penalty is to take their championship away, fining a billion dollar team for breaking the cost cap is stupid. If they were prepared to overspend then a fine even it it’s $100M wont hurt the team.
Taking the WDC 2021 away & all the trophies from their cabinet is what will hurt them the most.
Is it fair to punish Verstappen by taking his WDC?
I say yes, because if his team had kept to the cost cap some of his upgrades would not have been available to help him win. F1 is a team sport so if 1 part is cheating then the whole team should suffer.
Now if the overspend of 2021 is also used to help develop the 2022 car then there is also a need for some further punishment for 2023
BTW, I’m neither a fan or supporter of Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, Ferrari, or for that matter any of their drivers, I am however a fan a good close racing with lots of overtaking & racing.
Hammy Fanboy #1 I see lol. Stay woke bro
I agree 100% but the FIA has already stated that that they will not consider removing Max’s 2021 championship.
This gives all teams the incentive to ignore the cap and overspend. By overspending you can win the championship two years and all you get is a slap on the wrist.
It’s unbelievable how Bottas is still sucking Hamilton’s cock a year after they sacked him. What a fucking carpet.
Now if Hamilton was Alonso or Russell it would be unanimous by you racist fuks that Red Bull get stripped of the title. But after Masi and now this cheating the thought of the 2021 title going to Hamilton who in reality won it enrages your thin skins
Doesn’t matter because the majority of the world who watches F1 knew a robbery took place. Maxipad ain’t no champion. He will always be remembered for being gifted a title.
True it is amusing
Could you imagine if this was Mercedes and Hamilton had won the title under all of the conditions last year
These redbull fans would be crying like a bunch of babies
Probably threatening everyone and anyones life they think could possibly change the outcome to be in there favour
I think there are a group that is quite similar in the USA there called the MAGA crowd
We don’t know what the over spend is, it could be $1 to $7.5m … I’m a Red Bull fan, but rules are rules and a punishment should be equal to the overspend … every dollar amount should result in a loss of points.