Red Bull have been found in ‘minor’ breach of Formula 1’s cost cap set at $145m for the 2021 season, the FIA confirmed on Monday in a delayed statement without announcing any penalties.
The announcement comes after days of speculation about the team’s financial overspend leading to last season’s maiden title win for Max Verstappen, who beat Hamilton to the championship in the last race of the season.
FIA confirmed that it had issued certificates of compliance to seven of the ten teams.
“Oracle Red Bull Racing is considered to be in procedural and minor overspend breaches of the financial regulations,” the governing body said, adding that Aston Martin was found to be in procedural breach of the financial regulations.
Furthermore, FIA noted that Williams Racing complied with the financial regulations in respect of the 2021 Reporting Period with the exception of a previous procedural breach, which was “remediated by Williams in a timely, cooperative and transparent manner.”
A minor breach of the financial regulations could result in a financial penalty and/or minor sporting penalties.
The penalties prescribed by the FIA include a deduction of drivers’ and constructors’ championship points. If this penalty were applied, it could have an impact on Verstappen’s 2021 title win.
Other penalties include a reprimand, a limitation to conduct aerodynamic or other testing, and/or a reduction in that team’s future cost cap limit.
“The FIA Cost Cap Administration is currently determining the appropriate course of action to be taken under the Financial Regulations with respect to Aston Martin and Red Bull and further information will be communicated in compliance with the Regulations,” FIA’s statement said.
