Max Verstappen (NLD)
Max Verstappen (NLD)

F1 Japanese Grand Prix: Cost cap debate rages in the paddock

F1 returns to the iconic Suzuka Circuit, home of the Japanese Grand Prix, for the first time since 2019.

Max Verstappen could take his second drivers' title this weekend if he manages to outscore Charles Leclerc by eight points, and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by six.

Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton speak to the F1 media on Thursday in Japan.

06 Oct 2022
09:05
The cost cap argument - what do we know?
  • Paddock rumours suggested two teams had broken the 2021 cost cap rules.
  • The FIA were due to rule on the matter yesterday - but postponed their ruling to next Monday.
  • Max Verstappen and Christian Horner claim Red Bull have done nothing wrong.
  • Lewis Hamilton says that if Mercedes chose to break the rules, he would have won the 2021 title.
  • Sky and the Daily Mail have reported that Red Bull breached the 2021 cost cap by a "minor" amount which will not affect the 2021 championship.

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing in the FIA Press Conference. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing in the FIA Press Conference. Formula…

08:30
Seriously strong words here...

Hamilton: Extra Mercedes spending would have changed F1 2021 title outcome

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Preparation
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18,…

07:49
Is Hamilton no longer the best wet weather driver?

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07:45
Ricciardo has plenty to smile about!

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) McLaren. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Preparation
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) McLaren. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18,…

07:05
Do drivers trust the FIA?

Alonso ‘completely trusts the FIA’ as F1 cost cap verdict looms

Fernando Alonso (ESP) Alpine F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Preparation
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Alpine F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18,…

06:54
Red Bull rivals have their say

Russell and Leclerc demand punishment for F1 cost cap breaches

George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17,…

06:49
Lewis in the paddock

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Preparation
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18,…

06:40
Full story

Ricciardo after new Mercedes rumour: “No pressure to quickly sign something"

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) McLaren. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street Circuit,
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) McLaren. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17,…

06:11
Why Ricciardo loves the USA

"The significance of Austin? I was born there. It is close to my heart. America does sport better than anyone."

06:03
Verstappen on budget cap

"To be honest, I'm not really busy with these kind of things. It's up to the teams and the FIA and I just need to focus on the driving. There's not much more to say on that. We'll find out on Monday, I guess." 

06:02
Ricciardo on his future

"Keen on resolving it? I wouldn't say there is a problem.

"I am just taking time to figure out what will be the best thing for me.

"There is no rush. I feel no pressure to quickly sign something.

"I want to take the right amount of time. I won't just sign the first contract to be back on the grid.

"I'll keep going with the season and it will become clear what is best for me.

"There's nothing you don't know! Full transparency.

"Good results help, they make everything better.

"This isn't a question of whether I still want to do it. I do.

"The result felt good but doesn't change my course [for next season].

"That's why I want to be at the front."

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) McLaren. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street Circuit,
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) McLaren. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17,…

05:59
Zhou on being F1's first Chinese driver

"The pressure is normal. In F1 there is a lot of pressure from your team, the fans.

"Next year's Chinese Grand Prix will be a special moment. Max has his Orange Army, hopefully I have the same thing in Shanghai!"

05:55
Verstappen reflects on 'messy' Singapore GP

"It's not rocket-science, just pay attention to the fuel level. There's not a lot to change. You can talk about it for hours, but it's not going to change anything. 

"It was just a very messy weekend and I think that was a prime weekend of how you don't want a weekend to go. We've shown we know how to do it." 

05:50
Where do Ferrari need to improve?

Leclerc: "Well as I've said before Singapore, we need to focus on ourselves, execute the Sunday. The performance is not what we've lacked. The performance was always strong to fight for wins but some were off. It's about putting everything together. That's where we are focusing on at the moment and this is the step we have to do to fight for the championship."

05:48
Leclerc on his chances

"We've got a very different car this year, one that is very solid on every track. Red Bull will be very strong here." 

05:45
Will Alfa Romeo be faster?

Zhou: "We will have a new front wing for both cars. We haven't run too many upgrades compared to midfield rivals. Hopefully it works as expected."

05:44
Zhou Guanyu on Suzuka's best bits...

"The food here is great!"

05:44
Russell on Mercedes' chances

"I think it will be a bit more of a struggle. It's not going to be straightforward." 

05:41
Ricciardo on his best result of 2022 last week

"Relieved, happy, pleased.

"It was a bit sad that I haven't had a top five this year. So I was happy but it was a sad reality of 'oh, it's been a tough year'.

"The sport can turn around as quickly as a couple of hours on a Sunday."

05:39
Ricciardo on Japan

"It's a big one. It's cool to be back, fans are in full force. Every driver has loyal followers here, they make t-shirts of you."

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) McLaren. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Preparation
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) McLaren. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18,…

05:39
Verstappen needs 'perfect weekend' to seal title in Suzuka

"It would make it a little bit extra special, because of our relationship with Honda. It was a shame we couldn't be here last year, in the title fight. But we need a perfect weekend, that's for sure." 

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17,…

05:34

Zhou, Leclerc, Verstappen, Russell and Ricciardo are in the second part of today's FIA presser.

05:32
Latifi tight-lipped about post-F1 future

"I'm still evaluating all the options. I'm considering everything but I don't really have anything to say at the moment." 

05:28
Alonso on the FIA

"Very high to be honest. I have a lot of trust in Mohammed and his team. Still, there's a few things in the race weekend and other topics that we face. They're willing to improve and learn which is positive compared to the past. I trust completely what they're doing and what the outcome will be next week with the cost cap. I have no doubts on anything" 

05:25
Tsunoda remembers a young Vettel!

"The first time I watched was when Seb won the title with Red Bull. At Turn 1 I remember lots of sparks!

"That was the first time I watched F1 since 2007."