Mercedes Faces COST CAP CRISIS Before Brazilian GP NIGHTMARE!

[@poeticnije]

Lewis leaving Mercedes just as they become the 5th fastest team for the hugely improving Ferrari is very reminiscent of his leaving the McLaren on it's downturn for Mercedes who were on the rise (from the 5th fastest team). His ability to forsee where he should be driving makes Lewis incredible. 2025 and onwards is going to be amazing. The rest of this year though, I agree, Mercedes have been backed into a financial corner and will have to make do with what they have now and I agree that puts them squarely in the position of 4th/5th fastest team.

[@JMO77UK]

Yes he does seem to have timed things well again. Hopefully he gets on ok with Leclerc and they have a great season next year. Have waited too long to see another Ferrari WC. Fred has done an amazing job.

[@insertgenericusernamehere2402]

Maybe great for one season but 2026 is completely different

[@JMO77UK]

@@insertgenericusernamehere2402 I agree. In some ways though it is as likely Ferrari will do a good job on the 2026+ car as McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin. In some ways the key bit is having the right set up, structure and people in the right roles. Teams above all seem to have that. I may be wrong but I get the sense there is too much turmoil at Red Bull to take advantage of the regulation change, otherwise they would have sorted their car quicker this year. Plus they have the headwinds of developing their own engine for the first time. Either way, regulation changes are always a roll of the dice.

[@mdcclxxviepluribusunum1066]

@@JMO77UKthe Dunning Kruger effect

[@JMO77UK]

@@mdcclxxviepluribusunum1066 in terms of Red Bull’s ability to carry on without key people?

[@GregiiFlieger]

Love this ! Was so pathetic when Toto and Greasy Zak celebrated when Red Bull blew their budgets due to Team Restaurant overruns! By a minimal amount! This is simply Karma!!!

[@simonkevnorris]

"What comes around goes around"....

[@captainawesome1159]

It’s pretty sad that Mercedes, after all this time, still don’t understand how to design a solid chassis under the current Regis !

[@IIGrayfoxII]

They always could not design a good car. Their engine was what was keeping them in front during the early hybrid era. Redbull with a weaker engine crept up to them because of a better car design.

[@mattheuselgersma9623]

@@IIGrayfoxIItbh the w11 was a great design. Except for how hard is was on the tyres. But overall yeah the aerodynamic designs weren’t the best.

[@michaelb6420]

There is no cost cap penalties, we already learned that from Redbull !!! So absolutely no worries Merc!!! You can spend spend spend & blame it on employees lunches 🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelblake9948]

Red Bull had a penalty of 10% less wind tunnel time. That’s pretty significant if you ask me.

[@GamersGettingPlayed]

almost as if he had foresight Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes since they're headed down going to Ferrari as they're heading up and I believe Louis truly wanted to drive for another team besides Mercedes before his career came to an end and there's no other team to dream about driving for than FerrariI wish him the best of luck he was a great and humble champion when Mercedes was on top and maybe he can win another world champion with Ferrari wouldn't that be something

[@dnithaatpg4]

FIA needs to make adjustments to the cost cap. Inflation has dramatically increased since these rules were introduced. Parts, labor, wages, and ticket cost of a tickets for F1. Everything.

[@IIGrayfoxII]

It has been increased.

[@simonkevnorris]

It's (inflation) the same for all teams.

[@CarleneFleming-o1c]

Isn't it ironic wolff was so eager for the phenom ...elbows...now that he has become somewhat of a pariah...is he still enthusiastic ...

[@DavidJohnson-dc8lu]

Mercedes aren't fighting for anything, bring out one car. Toto needs to retire, 3 seasons of a crap car and over budget. Over budget for what exactly? He is no Ross Brawn.

[@darkkxd755]

Bro really said "perez or the aston martins"💀

[@KSadikoglu]

Give Hamiltons car to George. Who cares about Hamilton now.

[@simonkevnorris]

The fact that they are in no man's land in the drivers championship with Perez not a threat to them is just a damnation of Perez's season.

[@That_Darn_Guy]

I think this just proves that LH knew what he was doing when he announced his departure.

[@_DNZ_]

'perez or Austin martin'

[@0ut0fafricaa]

Are driver salaries excluded from the cap?

[@F1REVERSE]

Yeh, drivers aren't included, nor are the three highest paid staff members outside of drivers

[@0ut0fafricaa]

@ thanks, I was wondering how Aston could afford Newey, and now I know.

[@SpacialKatana]

'Set fire to the bank' 🔥🤣

[@PrincessSwartz]

No money, no problem. Release LH early and let GR race alone with all the parts available. Stop spending money on BS - PR. Maybe Kimi can dtive with no pressure jusy to acclimatize.

[@gunnaringram]

If Mercedes is about to break the cost cap then they just shouldn’t field a car. They’re in a position where they can’t be passed in championship points so they’re racing for nothing.

[@F1REVERSE]

I'm not sure if F1 would dish out some kind of penalty if they did this, but their sponsors would definitely be pissed off

[@simonkevnorris]

Unless they have a good reason to not put two cars on the grid (one car destroyed with no spares - old or new) they will be in breach of the Concorde Agreement.

[@Recon6delta]

Mercedes still have a dolphin 🐬! It’s like driving on a knife 🔪 edge. Enjoy that car Kimi 😂.. ! I bet Kimi wrecks a couple times next season.

[@shanepearce1629]

SOWHAT if redbull costcap of 2021 was crash damage caused by Mercedes crash damage on redbull to bad Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has praised the FIA for taking "robust" action on Red Bull's Formula 1 cost cap breach and says "reputational damage" would prevent his team from making the same mistake as their rivals.

[@Optikification]

No problem, FIA will let it slide as its not RB.

[@Mox2077]

Did you forget how RB overspend and faked it as being "catering" then getting away with barely a slap on their wrist?!

[@110adventures7]

​@@Mox2077 was that the slap on the wrist that has allowed Ferrari and McLaren to catch up ?

[@myvizn8387]

Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, Williams, will all have their day.

[@myvizn8387]

Everything is cyclical in Formula One