>$7 mil and 10% testing reduction seems.... I don't know. It's
>not exactly light. Money isn't a problem per se for RB, but
>the reduced testing may sting, especially with the sliding
>scale meaning they were already reduced relative to the other
>teams for winning the chip. I suppose nothing will ever be
>enough of a penalty though. It was never going to be
>retroactively taking away points (and it never should have
>either), so Max had no chance of losing his title from last
>year. It dirties RB's rep a little, maybe? Lessens the FIA's
>credibility, possibly? Is it enough of a deterant for teams to
>try it themselves? Who knows
>
>Whatever. They were the king of the roost this year, so give
>'em their flowers. Newey built Max the best car he's ever had
>and he drove the wheels off it over the season. Whether the
>team can be called cheaters is anyone's call, but it has
>nothing to do with Max.

I saw this as result of a post race Youtube show from Dan Le Batard's network. Was the over spending as result of shoddy accounting or purposeful cheating?

>Truly hope Petronas has a plan for next season. Let's get
>Lewis #8 and let him retire and be brand ambassador or
>whatever.

That team will have a delicate balance to maneuver since Russell is no slouch as a driver. From my very new jack eyes, Lewis appears to be more skillful, but I naively hope Mercedes doesn't sacrifice too much on Russell's behalf just to benefit Lewis. But at the same time, both Red Bull and Verstappen appear as if they'll continue to improve, so whatever Mercedes plans for next season will have to me major for either both or one of their drivers.