Formula 1 veteran Valtteri Bottas: 'Let's hope that it's a good penalty that really, really, hurts them.'
GEERT VANDEN WIJNGAERTGetty Images- Red Bull’s Cost cap breach in 2021 was a main topic of discussion on Thursday at Circuit of the Americas.
- Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz said that a lot eyes in the paddock are on how the FIA rules on this one. And that includes the drivers.
- Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas hopes the FIA pulls no punches when it comes time to dish put penalties for any rules breach involving the cost cap.
Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton had more at stake than any driver on the grid last year if it turns out that Red Bull gained a competitive advantage when it exceeded the sport’s $145 million cost cap in 2021.
Hamilton, who was on a path to a record eighth championship, lost the title on the last lap of the last race of the season to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. And if there’s one agreement among the drivers at this week’s U.S. Grand Prix at Austin, Texas, it’s that spending millions of dollars more than the next guy can make all the difference in the world in such a close battle.
Red Bull’s budget cap breach was a main topic of discussion on Thursday at Circuit of the Americas as just about everyone in the sport awaits the FIA’s decision on what penalty should be levied on the current dominant team of Formula 1.
Hamilton tried his best to stay out of the discussion on what the ultimate penalty should be for Red Bull’s breach. Some have suggested that the penalty could be as soft as a fine. Others have suggested that Red Bull should be forced to give up Verstappen’s 2021 title.
Hamilton said the integrity of the sport is on the line.
Lewis Hamilton lost a F1 Drivers’ Championship to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen last season on the last lap of the last race of the season.
Chris GraythenGetty Images
“I do believe that (FIA president) Mohammed (Ben Sulayem) and his team will make the right decisions,” Hamilton said. “I have to believe that. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, naturally. Otherwise, I’m just focused on doing the best job I can and whatever is done is done.”
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz said that a lot eyes in the paddock are on this one. And that includes the drivers.
“I think every team and every driver, we just want clarity first of all,” Sainz said. “We all know what one, two, three, $4 million can make to car development and car speeds in Formula 1. That’s why years ago everyone was spending—or the top three teams were spending—$350 million. And now we’re spending $150 million to keep these things under control.
“I just hope if there’s a penalty, the penalty is relatively important to take the appetite away from overspending two or $3 million on next year’s car. I just think it needs to be fair play for everyone, and if there’s a cost cap, it’s there to be followed, and I just hope the FIA takes the right decision to make sure that everyone follows it.”
Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas drove for Red Bull’s chief rival Mercedes last year. He hopes the FIA pulls no punches when it comes time to dish out penalties for any rules breach involving the amount of money teams are allowed to spend.
Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas drove for Mercedes last season.
Bryn Lennon – Formula 1Getty Images
“I feel like rules are the rules and if you don’t follow them there should be a penalty that really hurts,” Bottas said. “You don’t want anyone to have the appetite to maximize something for one year and risking with the budget cap. I personally hope that it’s going to be a strict and harsh penalty because that shouldn’t happen.
“Rules are the rules. There’s many rules in F1 and there should no difference in terms of the penalty. Let’s hope that it’s a good penalty that really, really, hurts them. I was in the fight last year for the Constructors’ (Championship). Yes, we got that, but we missed the Drivers’ Title by a few points and a few millions can make a big, big difference.”
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez said that having teams point fingers and wonder how winning teams are succeeding is nothing new in F1.
“At the end of the day, there’s always teams that want to take performance out of you, especially when you are winning,” Perez said. “It’s been part of the sport forever.
“I just think that it will be it’s just a normal situation and at the end of the day, the facts will come out and people will see and understand the situation.”
Mike Pryson Mike Pryson covered auto racing for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot and MLive Media Group from 1991 until joining Autoweek in 2011.
Keyword: F1 Drivers Want FIA to Bring the Hammer Down on Cost Cap Offenders