Stella's pressing Verstappen and Red Bull question answered

After the São Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, Andrea Stella was left wondering if the costs of the brand-new power unit fitted into Max Verstappen's car were included in the cost cap. GPblog can provide the McLaren team boss with an answer.

After a disastrous qualifying session, Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing decided to take the RB21 out of Parc Fermé on Saturday evening. With a new power unit fitted, Verstappen faced a pit lane start, and aided in part by the fresh - and therefore stronger - power unit, the Dutchman ended up on the podium in P3 - arguably a few laps off from snatching P2.

Stella questions the engine change

After the race, Stella vocally pondered whether the addition of an extra power unit was included in the cost cap or not. A remarkable occurrence: Currently various Formula 1 teams believe that power units meant for replacing the ones that have broken down aren't included in the cost cap.

"If the engine was changed for performance reasons, it should go in the cost cap. So let's see if this is the case, not that I will be able to see, as it's all on the Red Bull side,” Stella said on Sunday in McLaren’s hospitality in Sao Paulo.

Max Verstappen took third place with a new engine - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull did nothing to conceal that the switch was prompted by a desire to enhance performance. The veracity of a team's claim - or lack thereof - is, in that case, irrelevant nonetheless.

Stella's question answered

GPblog inquired into the matter of the costs of Red Bull’s extra power unit, and if whether or not the sum was included in the cost cap. This website received confirmation that they do.

So, Red Bull must then have a reserve fund to finance Verstappen’s new engine. The -high- 'investment', though, yielded a bountiful reward for the Austrian team, since a P3 was highly unlikely without the new PU.

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