18 April 2023 , 14:58
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Eddie Jordan thinks the way Red Bull have dominated the new Formula 1 season so far proves the budget cap is a "farce".
Red Bull overspent in the 2021 season – the first year in which the regulations were enforced – and late last year were slapped with a £6m fine and had their wind tunnel time over the next 12 months reduced by 10 percent.
The financial penalty is a drop in the ocean for an organisation of Red Bull's size, but the sporting penalty was supposed to have real ramifications. They are yet to show, though, with the defending champions a cut above the rest again so far this season.
Red Bull have won all three races so far and will be the favourites again in Azerbaijan later this month. Former F1 team owner Jordan finds it difficult to see anyone challenging Christian Horner's team for silverware this season.
"I would like to say it's too early, but in my heart, I think it's done," he told London Luxury Afloat. "I just can't see anyone with the strength, knowledge, speed, and capacity of Red Bull, and especially the drivers. The challenge is daunting."
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Jordan went on to assert that Red Bull's dominance is also an indicator that the punishment given to them for their budget cap breach has made little difference. He added: "I think the cost cap is a farce.
Christian Horner feels it is 'premature' to suggest Red Bull will not be too badly affected by the penalty (AP)"Nowadays, if you give somebody a rule, they will get around it. If you push a set of rules in front of a person, they are there to be circumvented. I don't understand the cost cap because I think it is virtually impossible to police.
"So, I can't answer to whether it was unfair on Red Bull other than the fact that it didn't have the desired effect because now look at what they've done. I think it is such a big ask to see how anyone is going to compete with Red Bull."
Meanwhile, team boss Horner has repeatedly said he expects to feel the pinch of the punishment sooner or later, and thinks it will become evident that they are suffering later in the year. "Everybody's got an opinion and I think everybody's free to have an opinion," he said.
"The team have done a great job over the winter on limited wind-tunnel time that we've had to develop this car. Of course, that will have an impact later into the year and on next year. So on a snapshot of three races, I think it's still hugely premature in [terms of] this season – there's an awful lot of racing still to go."