P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and Mercedes share a similar problem at the end of a long Formula 1 season: both parties are feeling the impact that several incidents have had on development capacity
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and Mercedes are facing a similar challenge as both are dealing with the impact of numerous incidents on their development capacity during the long Formula 1 season. The 24-race season, the longest in the championship’s history, is under a budget cap set at $135 million, although the actual costs can be higher considering factors like the number of races and inflation. All teams allocate funds for repairs and replacements due to anticipated attrition from crashes or wear and tear. The more incidents a team experiences, the more compromises they will have to make in their development. Perez lacks the latest floor upgrade that Red Bull introduced in the US, instead using an older version due to cost considerations, which may affect his car’s performance. Mercedes, too, has seen increased costs due to accidents, leading to limitations on further development parts this season as they align with the cost cap requirements.
