Wolff reveals cost cap break for Haas

Mick Schumacher after Saudi Arabian GP qualifying crash — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes

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Wolff reveals cost cap break for Haas

F1 will adjust the cost cap for Haas if a new chassis is required for Schumacher

Sam Hall

Sunday 3 April 2022 18:00 Updated: 10:32

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed F1 will adjust the cost cap for Haas after Mick Schumacher's "big shunt" in Saudi Arabia.

Schumacher suffered a horrific crash during qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as he hit a concrete wall at over 150mph with an impact estimated to be 33g.

After the weekend, Haas team principal Guenther Steiner revealed the repair bill for the incident to be around $1 million, a significant figure, especially when considering the $140m cost cap.

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Although Steiner confirmed the team has a "contingency" for crash damage, Wolff was able to offer his counterpart a crumb of comfort.

"You can say that a crash like Mick had falls into the category of a ‘big shunt’ and there is an allowance in the cost cap where if you need to build a new chassis, the cost cap will be adjusted for you," explained Wolff.

Reflecting on the danger of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Wolff added: "Formula 1 is dangerous and city circuits are the spectacular ones, among the most spectacular ones and the drivers need to take more risks so you are always on the knifes edge."

Speaking after the conclusion of the Saudi Arabian weekend, Steiner said: "We need to do a proper check on the chassis but not too bad, to be honest."

Schumacher will return to action on April 8 in first practice at the Australian Grand Prix.