Sainz targeted as Red Bull Ferrari budget cap row continues

Crash Sainz in Imola — Photo: © LAT Images

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Sainz targeted as Red Bull Ferrari budget cap row continues

Spanish driver has crashed three times this year

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 17 May 2022 12:45 Updated: 14:01

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Carlos Sainz's numerous crashes this year have been used as a counter-argument by Red Bull to Ferrari's budget cap concerns regarding its F1 rival.

Following the recent Miami Grand Prix, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto revealed his disquiet at the number of upgrades being made by Red Bull despite the budget cap restrictions.

This year's limit is $140million, a figure made more difficult by the fact the sport is at the start of its new era regarding aerodynamic regulations.

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"It is how much they [Red Bull] are developing considering the budget cap," said Binotto, whose team has yet to introduce a major upgrade package this season. "That is certainly a concern."

In response, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has suggested Ferrari is likely to be hamstrung by the cost of the Sainz's repair bills following his incidents in Australia, Imola and Miami.

Assessing the budget cap position of both teams, speaking to Motorsport-Total, Marko said: "I don't think we are in a significantly different position to Ferrari in this respect.

"Especially as I wonder what effect it has on them that Carlos Sainz has already crashed the car several times. It can't be cheap."

Red Bull still battling weight issues

Marko has revealed, however, his team is still struggling with the weight of the RB18, which has resulted in its incremental upgrades mentioned by Binotto.

"We plan our updates in such a way that we always lose weight with each update, because, unfortunately, we still haven't reached the minimum weight," added Marko.

"And we won't quite reach it with the next update either."

Marko believes all teams will be battling with the budget cap this season due to the rise in freight expenditure, coupled with an expanding calendar.

"It's true the increased logistics costs are a problem," said Marko. "But it's not just us, it's Ferrari and all the other teams."