Red Bull face F1 entry fee hike after 2021 success

After their added points haul in 2021, the effect of the Formula 1 entry fee system will mean Red Bull face an increase in how much they have to pay to enter the new season.

This will be set to amount to an extra fee of around $1.4million [£1.05million] to get themselves on the grid in 2022, with the Constructors’ Championship runners-up facing the biggest increase in payment of all the teams, according to figures published by Speedcafe.

The cost to enter Formula 1 is set at a flat basic rate of $556,509 [£410,000] per team, according to the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, but the fee only increases from there – with the amount payable dependent on the previous season’s results.

The teams also pay an extra fee per point scored, with $5563 added onto the price for each point by nine of the teams, with the Constructors’ Championship winners due to pay $6677 per point.

The countdown begins ⏱ #RB18 coming 🔜

👊 @TAGHeuer pic.twitter.com/u2udXo064h

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 3, 2022

This puts Mercedes’ entry fee far clear of the rest of the field, having to pay a reported $4.65million to put their cars on the grid in 2022.

Red Bull will have to fork out the most compared to 2021 however, with their total cost of entry rising to $3.81million from $2.38million based on their 2020 results.

Ferrari’s success in 2021 after their dismal 2020 season will also see them have an increased spend to get on the grid, with their 192.5-point improvement compared to the season before meaning they will have to pay an added $1.04million to Formula 1 before the season.

The extra prize money in place for finishing higher up the Constructors’ Championship is likely to offset what Ferrari have to pay, but as Red Bull also finished P2 in the 2020 standings, this success is likely to be a direct hit onto the team’s coffers for the new season.

The same system works both ways, with teams having worse seasons subject to lower entry fees as a result of their struggles. Aston Martin will pay around $694,000 less than last season, after their tricky campaign and lowly P7 finish in the Constructors’ Championship after a sterling effort the season before.

Red Bull announced they will be launching the RB18 on Wednesday 9 February, believing they had jumped the queue to unveil their car before any other team.

Haas ruined that plan though, confirming that their VF-22 livery will be unveiled on 4 February, giving less than 24 hours’ notice.

Horner wary of 2022 shake-up

Christian Horner believes we could see Mercedes or Red Bull drop from the top spots this season.