F1’s Cost Cap Controversy Under Control, Red Bull Still Dominating

Cost controversy or not, Red Bull Racing continues to dominate Formula 1 — but finally, its supremacy has the official validation of the sport’s governing body.

After last year’s high-profile spending scandal — which resulted in a punishment for the defending champions and a $7 million fine — the FIA announced all 10 F1 teams were under the $140 million cost cap for the 2022 season. 

Last year, the FIA ruled that Red Bull had breached the 2021 cost cap by less than 5%, and some reports earlier this summer suggested some unnamed teams had broken the rules yet again during the 2022 season.

There are eight races left this F1 season — but Red Bull could secure its second straight constructors’ title as soon as the next grand prix in Singapore on Sept. 17, while Max Verstappen could seal his third straight drivers’ championship later this month in Japan. 

Red Bull’s Dutch superstar won his 10th consecutive race on Sunday, a new F1 record.

Stars Will Keep Shining

Red Bull and Verstappen are likely to have clinched their respective championships before F1 completes its North American swing — including the highly anticipated inaugural running of the Las Vegas Grand Prix — but fans can still expect full effort when the grid visits this side of the Atlantic. 

Last year, both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles were clinched with three races to go, but Verstappen and Red Bull still won two of the remaining events.