Mercedes boss Toto Wolff defends rival Max Verstappen amid Red Bull budget cap drama
Toto Wolff defended Max Verstappen against Red Bull's budget cap fiasco, despite Lewis Hamilton losing the title last season. Wolff said drivers may "not be involved" in the financial decisions their teams make.
However, he warned that Verstappen still benefits from the extra spending in the long run. He explained, "I'm telling you, I don't want to be the judges.
"To judge that [with] the drivers scrambling to be on top [when] there are decisions the team makes that they're not involved in. But always in the end, you're sitting in a car that may be running on steroids." German newspaper Auto Motor und Sport claimed that Red Bull may have exceeded the £9 million ($10 million) budget cap.
That would have been enough for the FIA to impose strict penalties on Red Bull, including championship points. However, it is now understood that the team spent significantly less than that and will likely only be fined.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton may not win title as Red Bull rumors were false
Reporter Alexandre Braeckman, per F1i, claimed the FIA initially found that Red Bull had exceeded the £10.5m ($12m) budget cap. However, after further appeal and review, the team's overspending is believed to be down to £131,000 ($150,000).
Braeckman said the FIA awarded Red Bull £22,000 ($25,000) for breaching budget cap guidelines, but the team received no championship points. This would mean Max Verstappen retaining last year's championship despite calls from fans that the Dutchman should be stripped of the crown.
Wolff hit back at Red Bull over the weekend, suggesting any extra spending could impact the team's performance for at least three seasons.
DON'T MISS MISSFIA urged not to ignore 'minor infractions' as Red Bull awaits results [INSIGHT]FIA issued warning as Ferrari chief intervenes in Red Bull investigation [ANALYSIS] Ferrari and Mercedes meet for further talks amid Red Bull rumors [PHOTOS]
Verstappen has since dominated in 2022, winning 11 races so far this season. The Mercedes boss explained: "The crucial part is if you've been in 21, you'll be in 22 and you'll have an advantage in 23.
"If it's true that they homologated a light chassis this year, they could use it next year. It's a cascade of events that can have an influence on the three championships. is a heavyweight, massively heavy."
Red Bull denied the reports last weekend, saying the news was just "speculation". Team boss Christian Horner hit back at the team's rivals, calling their remarks "bang out of order".
Toto Wolff defended Max Verstappen against Red Bull's budget cap fiasco, despite Lewis Hamilton losing the title last season. Wolff said drivers may "not be involved" in the financial decisions their teams make.
However, he warned that Verstappen still benefits from the extra spending in the long run. He explained, "I'm telling you, I don't want to be the judges.
"To judge that [with] the drivers scrambling to be on top [when] there are decisions the team makes that they're not involved in. But always in the end, you're sitting in a car that may be running on steroids." German newspaper Auto Motor und Sport claimed that Red Bull may have exceeded the £9 million ($10 million) budget cap.
That would have been enough for the FIA to impose strict penalties on Red Bull, including championship points. However, it is now understood that the team spent significantly less than that and will likely only be fined.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton may not win title as Red Bull rumors were false
Reporter Alexandre Braeckman, per F1i, claimed the FIA initially found that Red Bull had exceeded the £10.5m ($12m) budget cap. However, after further appeal and review, the team's overspending is believed to be down to £131,000 ($150,000).
Braeckman said the FIA awarded Red Bull £22,000 ($25,000) for breaching budget cap guidelines, but the team received no championship points. This would mean Max Verstappen retaining last year's championship despite calls from fans that the Dutchman should be stripped of the crown.
Wolff hit back at Red Bull over the weekend, suggesting any extra spending could impact the team's performance for at least three seasons.
DON'T MISS MISSFIA urged not to ignore 'minor infractions' as Red Bull awaits results [INSIGHT]FIA issued warning as Ferrari chief intervenes in Red Bull investigation [ANALYSIS] Ferrari and Mercedes meet for further talks amid Red Bull rumors [PHOTOS]
Verstappen has since dominated in 2022, winning 11 races so far this season. The Mercedes boss explained: "The crucial part is if you've been in 21, you'll be in 22 and you'll have an advantage in 23.
"If it's true that they homologated a light chassis this year, they could use it next year. It's a cascade of events that can have an influence on the three championships. is a heavyweight, massively heavy."
Red Bull denied the reports last weekend, saying the news was just "speculation". Team boss Christian Horner hit back at the team's rivals, calling their remarks "bang out of order".
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