Formula 1 live ticker: Budget upper limit still in focus

Rain in Singapore

The W series is currently already qualifying in Singapore. Why are we mentioning this? Because it rained again! The track is wet, the drivers are on rain tires.

As a reminder, the third Formula 1 practice session is about an hour away. It is quite possible that at least that will also take place in wet conditions.

But there are still around four hours until qualifying. By then it could be dry again. Let’s keep an eye out.

special helmets

And another new wave of special design. Alexander Albon’s helmet, which was designed by children from an orphanage this weekend, is particularly exciting. A great idea!

Horner smells “tactics” of the opponents

A small addendum from the Red Bull team boss: He has made it clear that his team takes the statements from Mercedes and Ferrari with regard to the budget limit “extremely seriously”.

Because Red Bull currently knows whether a violation has been committed. As is well known, the FIA ​​​​will only announce this on Wednesday. He suspects a “tactic” to “distract” from other things.

He specifically reminds that Max Verstappen could become world champion this weekend. “And we’re talking about nothing but cost caps,” Horner said.

So just a way to distract from the Dutchman’s imminent triumph?

Seidl: That’s why enforcement is important

The McLaren team boss explains that the budget limit is the only way for McLaren to be able to drive sustainably in Formula 1. Capito sees it similarly.

The Williams team boss emphasizes that owner Dorilton would never have entered Formula 1 without the cost cap. That is why it is so important for the teams to enforce the upper limit.

This also ends today’s PK.

Next everything open at de Vries

‘Canal+’ already reported at the weekend that the Dutchman had meanwhile signed with AlphaTauri. But Horner and Capito want nothing to do with that.

Horner emphasizes that nothing has changed, that Gasly is still part of AlphaTauri. And Capito also assumes that de Vries is still on the market.

Williams has several drivers on the list for 2023 and de Vries is one of them, according to the team boss. Nothing has changed about that.

Horner: It doesn’t work that way!

The Red Bull team boss adds again and explains that his team has, among other things, laid off 90 people. It is therefore absurd for members of other teams to comment on the situation at Red Bull.

For example, he himself has no idea what the situation is with the other teams. Nobody has a right to talk about it and about possible penalties and things like that.

Capito: No pressure at Williams either

We already heard from Steiner in Part 1 that Haas was in no hurry to fill the second cockpit. “We have time,” says Capito. There’s still a seat at Williams.

Regarding the separation from Latifi, the team boss explains that they had a “good time” together. However, the Canadian did not achieve the goals together with the team this year.

Both sides were not happy with that, which is why it was decided not to continue the cooperation.

McLaren: No update on Piastri

Part 2 and the beginning is made by Andreas Seidl, who explains that there is still no update on the start time of Oscar Piastri in Woking. As is well known, the question is whether Alpine will release the Australian early.

Then Piastri could still drive an FT1 for McLaren this year or, for example, take part in the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi. However, there is still no clarity here.

In purely sporting terms, Seidl explains that he wants to fight for P4 in the World Championship “until the last lap in Abu Dhabi”. McLaren is currently 18 points behind Alpine. The aim is to score points with both cars in every race from now on.

“Hopefully that will be enough to be in the fight,” said Seidl.

Safety Car: Rules are not the problem

At the end of the first part, it’s all about the end of the race behind the safety car in Monza. All three team bosses agree that it is not necessary to change the rules because of this.

Mekies explains that the race directors have enough freedom to use a red flag in such a case, for example. Steiner also emphasizes that the rules in Monza were not the problem.

A better decision could have been made under the existing regulations. This ends part 1 of the PK.

Mekies: Too early to talk about penalties

The cost cap remains the topic. Mekies emphasizes that it is still too early to talk about specific penalties. You have to see if there has been a violation at all.

It is also clear to him that the FIA ​​would have to react in such a case in order to protect the integrity of the budget ceiling. But what the punishment should look like is a topic for later.

Mekies: Seven million has a big impact

Now, as expected, it’s all about the budget ceiling. Mekies explains that even if it doesn’t sound like that much on paper, even $7 million could get you a lot of lap time.

That is why this is a very serious issue. Steiner also sees it that way, who explains that the upper budget limit should not be “watered down”. Now you want to wait and see what the FIA ​​​​will announce on Wednesday.

He and Vasseur agree that they don’t want to make any false accusations now. However, it is also clear that the FIA ​​​​must react if there really has been a violation.

Steiner wants to get back into the points

“Hopefully we can score a few points,” says the Haas team boss, explaining that this is the goal for every Grand Prix from now on. Because meanwhile the US troops have been waiting for a point for five races.

But it won’t be easy, because yesterday Mick Schumacher was penultimate. However, Steiner emphasizes that it was primarily about collecting rounds and not ending up in the wall. And that’s what you’ve done.

With regard to the cockpit that is still free for 2023, he explains, unsurprisingly, that there has not yet been a decision. “We’re in no hurry,” he says, quite relaxed.

Vasseur: Very happy with Zhou

The PK starts with the Alfa Romeo team boss emphasizing that he is very satisfied with the development of Guanyu Zhou. That’s why the Chinese was recently rewarded with a new contract for 2023.

“It’s not just about speed,” explains Vasseur, emphasizing that Zhou has adapted very well to Formula 1 in all areas, which is why he is “quite confident” for 2023.

Zhou has finished in the points three times this year, his best finish being eighth in Canada.

The most important thing for Friday…

… we have also summarized them in a separate photo series for you. The quickest way to quickly get up to date before the press conference!

It starts at 7 p.m. on the Formel1.de YouTube channel!