Hamilton: “Spending $300 more would have changed the outcome” of the 000 season

This has been the hot topic in the paddock since the Singapore Grand Prix last week. According to rumors, two teams (Aston Martin et Red Bull) would have exceeded the budget cap of 145 million dollars established for the 2021 season (140 million in 2022). In Singapore, various bosses had expressed their dissatisfaction asking for explanations from the FIA ​​which decided to postpone the publication of the conclusion of the study until next Monday. The circus of F1 now present in Japan, the theme is still very much talked about. This time it was the pilots who spoke, like Lewis Hamilton.

Defeated by Max Verstappen in the last lap of the last Grand Prix of the 2021 season (Abu Dhabi), the Englishman does not necessarily have good memories of the previous campaign. So when he learns that his nemesis' team may have broken the regulations to achieve this, it is obvious that the pill is a little harder to swallow for Lewis Hamilton. Asked on the subject on the sidelines of the Japanese Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion did not hide his doubts about the rather regular development of the RB16B.

« I remember last year at Silverstone we introduced our latest evolution and luckily it was excellent and we were able to fight because of it. We then saw Red Bull make improvements every weekend or every other weekend. They had, I believe, at least four other evolutions from this precise moment,” he responded to the microphone of Sky Sports from Suzuka displaying to the general public its doubts about the pace of development and production of its rivals during the 2021 financial year.

« If we had spent 300 (more dollars) for a new flat bottom or an adapted wing, it would naturally have changed the outcome of the championship because we would have been in a better position from the next race. So, for sport, I hope so (that Red Bull did not exceed the budget cap in 2021). » The FIA ​​will decide after the Japanese Grand Prix. If there is an infringement, there is no doubt that Red Bull will be sanctioned by the policeman of world motorsport. On the other hand, as for the title, it is less certain that Lewis Hamilton will recover it on the green carpet. To be continued…

ALSO READ > Suzuka, the return of a sacred monster