F1 Fans React To Red Bull's Controversial Cost Cap Punishments

It has not gone down well.

It has been announced by the FIA today that Red Bull went over the 2021 cost cap by less than 5%, making it a minor breach. The punishment that the FIA have given them is a $7 million fine to be paid to the FIA and a 7% reduction to their wind tunnel testing time for the 2023 season. 

The cost cap drama has been attracting a lot of media attention since it was announced the team had gone over, and has also been talked about a lot with fans on social media. 

Disgruntled fans have been quick to post to Twitter, with #RedBullCheats now trending. One fan, who clearly doesn't support Red Bull, wrote:

"So Red Bull -

"1. Influenced Masi to freestyle with the rules to make MV [Max Verstappen] champion.

"2. breached the cost cap for at least 2021.

"3. Regularly use their 2nd team drivers to benefit MV's races.

"4. Lied about building their own engines.

"How are they good for @F1?"

So Red Bull -

1. Influenced Masi to freestyle with the rules to make MV champion.
2. Breached the cost cap for at least 2021
3. Regularly use their 2nd team drivers to benefit MV’s races.
4. Lied about building their own engines.

How are they good for @F1 ? #RedBullCheats #F1

— Bernie Ecclescake (@BEighteenstone) October 28, 2022

Another Twitter user posted about the fact the FIA revealed that the original report done by Red Bull Racing was misreported. @oxyuris wrote:

"I present regulation 9.8 of the #F1 Financial Regulations.

"If the #RedBullCheats have really under reported by $5.8million then the @FIA have to punish Horner because it says so."

I present regulation 9.8 of the #F1 Financial Regulations.

If the #RedBullCheats have really under reported by $5.8million then the @FIA have to punish Horner because it says so.#F1nancialDoping #CostcapScandal #MexicoGP #CostCapChampion pic.twitter.com/ep37voFSdO

— Oxyuris (@oxyuris) October 27, 2022

The worry that a lot of teams have raised is that if this situation is not dealt with properly by the FIA then the sport is going to lose lots of fans. Unfortunately, this does seem to be the case. One of the fans walking away wrote to Twitter:

#FIA is a joke the sport is corrupt to the core. I’m gone #FIAsco #RedBullCheats

— Dominic Geary (@geary16) October 28, 2022

Fans are calling for the FIA to make the punishment more severe. If there is no repercussions from going over the cost cap, then there is nothing to stop the more wealthy teams from going over and accepting that they will need to pay a fine. 

Here are some of the fan reactions that are pouring in online. 

I refuse to watch F1 until Christian Horner is out of the sport --- he is so vile he makes boxing promoters look like heroes....such a shame! #RedBullCheats

— Tom Godfrey (@TomGodfrey6) October 28, 2022

Red Bull get a 10% reduction in wind tunnel time over the next 12 months and a $7 million fine for breaching the 2021 cost cap

Let me just grab some popcorn for F1 Twitter's reaction

— Matt Gallagher (@MattP1Gallagher) October 28, 2022

To put Red Bull's $2.2 million breach into perspective, it is more than Alfa Romeo's yearly development budget ($2 million).

— 🐧 (@edarrari) October 28, 2022

The $7m fine doesn't even come out of Red Bull’s developed budget, so, therefore, does not impede their finances in ~any way~ whatsoever.@F1 and the @fia have done this knowing the vast majority of those aggrieved by this farcical decision will still pay into the system. pic.twitter.com/WD13RVP9B5

— Late Brakers (@LateBrakers) October 28, 2022

This should really say Red Bull slapped on the wrist not sanctioned #CostCapScandal Any teams not considering breaching the cost cap in the future would be silly because you won't get a real penalty for it #CostcappenScandal #CostCapChampion #F1xed https://t.co/78kcSPNOMt

— Kian Bennett (@kianjsbennett) October 28, 2022