Red Bull Racing chief engineer Paul Monaghan says the introduction of F1’s cost cap has “changed the discipline” of F1’s development races.
F1 has introduced financial regulations for the first time in F1 history for the 2021 season, capping teams’ annual budgets at $145 million. This was initially set to decrease by $5 million annually, but additional considerations were made given the economic climate and a spike in inflation in 2023.
F1’s big three teams, Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari, have remained dominant since the budget cap came into force, but time will level the playing field and make the series more sustainable. is expected.
Red Bull Racing dominated the 2022 season, winning 17 of the 22 races for the RB18 to claim its first double title since 2013. The team was able to pull away from main rivals Ferrari around the summer of 2022, but is now sanctioned with a 10% reduction in aerodynamic testing allowance as punishment for violating the 2021 budget cap. confronting.
Red Bull Racing chief engineer Paul Monaghan said ‘it changed the discipline’ on how difficult it was to maintain such form given the pressure of the cost cap.
“Previously, we were in a very privileged position to look at it before we looked at the aspects that could be bigger changes and cost more.”
“The budget cap has changed course a bit. Our engineering department has changed to adapt to those rules. What we’ve been doing over the past few years, we can’t do now.”
Paul Monahan feels the budget cap is a “double-edged sword” and “necessarily denies the ability to change positions within the performance rankings”.
“It’s the same for everyone else. It’s a discipline we should all enjoy and it’s the same for everyone. Let’s keep doing it and see how it works out.”
The impact of budget caps has made F1 teams more conscious of their approach to developing their cars.
Paul Monaghan said there was “a bit of performance” that could have been introduced in late-season updates over the past few years that Red Bull didn’t bring to the RB18 car due to the cost cap.
“It’s another way to keep discipline,” said Paul Monaghan.
“I guess the question can be asked another way: Have we created good parts instead of less valuable parts to keep development velocity?”
“I think the answer is yes against our rivals.”
