FIA end cost cap rumours and Toto Wolff’s Wikipedia comments rubbished – F1 news round up

Sam Cooper 05 Sep 2023 11:59 PM

Toto Wolff looking down. Spa, Belgium. July 2023

There will be no cost cap drama this year after the FIA announced all 10 teams had met the budget issued to them for the 2022 season.

Meanwhile Nico Rosberg has hit back at his old boss Toto Wolff’s claim that records are just for Wikipedia, going on to state that everyone cares about them.

Elsewhere, Christian Horner has provided an exclusive update to PlanetF1.com on AlphaTauri’s future.

FIA confirm all 10 teams in compliance with cost cap

It was around this time last year when the first rumours of trouble began as it transpired both Red Bull and Aston Martin had breached the financial regulations.

While Aston Martin’s was a procedural breach, Red Bull’s was more serious handing them a 10 percent reduction in windtunnel time and a hefty fine.

Well there will be none of that this year after all 10 teams were found to be under the budget cap set for the 2022 season.

The FIA announced the results of their findings on Tuesday with every team receiving a certificate of compliance.

Nico Rosberg laughs off Toto Wolff Wikipedia suggestion

Wolff appeared a rather sore loser in the wake of the Italian Grand Prix on the weekend when he suggested Max Verstappen’s record-breaking 10th consecutive victory was only for “Wikipedia.”

One person who does not believe that for a second is Rosberg who said that everyone, even Verstappen, cares about breaking records.

“We all care about records, of course,” said Rosberg. “And we think a lot about records. So even Max who always says ‘no, I don’t care about 10 races.’ What does he do when he gets out of the car? He puts both of his hands up and points to the world that that’s 10 in a row.”

Andretti tease ‘big things in store ahead of potential F1 arrival

而上的成本上限是一回事FIA’s agenda, another is their Expression of Interest process with the sport’s governing body expected to soon give prospective teams the yes or no as regards to their suitability to be on the F1 grid.

Of those candidates, it is Andretti who have been the most vocal and they may have teased a favourable decision is on its way following a rebrand to Andretti Global.

“This rebrand is a major milestone in our team’s journey, but we are only getting started,” Michael Andretti said. “We are determined to achieve success and confident that there are big things in store for Andretti Global.”

Christian Horner tells PlanetF1.com of AlphaTauri’s plans

2024 is already looking like a monumental year for AlphaTauri with Red Bull’s sister team set to change its senior staff as well as possible name change.

As for the personnel changes which saw Peter Bayer and Laurent Mekies move to the team, Horner told PlanetF1.com he felt the pair were ideally placed to move the team forward.

“We will have a closer working relationship,” Horner exclusively told PlanetF1.com when asked about AlphaTauri’s future. “I was asked to identify a couple of candidates to get involved and create a new management team at AlphaTauri.

“The two guys that I felt were right for the role were Peter and Laurent, I think they’ll make a strong team.”

Sergio Perez admits thoughts of Red Bull exit

When it comes to Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull, almost all of the talk has not come from the Mexican himself but for the first time he has spoken of life after Red Bull.

While the 33-year-old has insisted he wants to stay for 2024, his mind is not yet made up for 2025 with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season.

“I think that now, with the season we’ve had, it’s important in the next races to be in an environment where I feel I can contribute,” Perez told DAZN.

“And if that place in 2024 isn’t here, then we have to look for alternatives.

“But for now,” he continued, “my main focus is to stay here and win more races. And keep on winning championships with Red Bull.

“As you say, I have a contract for next year. So, at some stage next year, we’ll see.”