Ferrari questions FIA's budget regulation as Red Bull readies new lightweight chassis

Mattia Binotto has expressed concerns about rumours at Spa-Francorchamps that Red Bull intends to debut a significantly lighter chassis shortly. 

Reports suggest that after racing a car that weighs notably more than championship rival Ferrari's so far in 2022, the forthcoming lighter car has been modified to such a degree that it requires new FIA crash testing.

"We are getting a new chassis in the future," runaway Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen said in Belgium. "I don't know how much lighter it will be, but if it works, it will help us."

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Back-to-back comebacks, courtesy of @Max33Verstappen ??Hungary | P10 ? P1 ??Belgium | P14 ? P1 ?? pic.twitter.com/0RyaUxP136

Questioning the budget

Ferrari boss Binotto, however, is openly wondering how Red Bull can afford to make such a major mid-season car upgrade under the terms of the budget cap.

"We could never afford to develop a lightweight chassis - or any other chassis - during the season because the budget doesn't allow it," said the Italian.

"I would be very surprised if that were possible for other teams. You have to ask yourself whether the monitoring is sufficient. Unfortunately, very few people keep an eye on it at the FIA. That needs to improve for the future. It would be really bad if the championship were decided by the financial rules."

Some in the paddock, however, think Ferrari's energy would be better directed at trying to improve their own 2022 car and eliminating repeat strategic errors.

Former Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso pointed out after Sunday's Belgian GP that the Maranello-based team seems to be making too many mistakes with "strange strategies" this