The FIA ruling on the budget cap case in Formula 1 has arrived. Red Bull violation ascertained: these are the penalties provided.
With a press release published in the afternoon of today 28 October, a few hours before the start of Free Practice for the 2022 Mexican Grand Prixthe FIA confirmed the violation by the Red Bull for the 2021 budget season cap.
It was found that the stable of Milton Keynesto compete in last year’s championship that led to Max Verstappen’s triumph in the last race, he spent about £ 1.8 million more than allowed. It’s 1.6% higher than the budget cap limit, below 5% which can be considered a minor violation.
Attached to the press release, the International Federation thanked Red Bull Racing for the collaboration implemented throughout the review process by trying to provide additional information and evidence when requested. The Cost Cap Administration, which handled the case, offered the 2022 world champion team a deal that was accepted. Let’s see the details.
Budget cap case in F1: Red Bull punished, but the 2021 world championship is safe
The violation agreement accepted by Red Bull, dated 26 October 2022 and entered into by the team and the Cost Cap Administration, provides for the payment of a $ 7 million fine to be paid within one month for the administrative part. There is also one sports punishmentbut it is very slight, at least compared to what the opponents hoped, Mercedes and Ferrari above all.
In the 2023 season, the Red Bull will in fact see its ability to conduct aerodynamic tests limited with a 10% reduction of the hours available in the Wind Tunnel. This means that Milton Keynes will have less room for maneuver than the direct opponents in terms of development for the next championship.
According to the FIA, no bad faith, dishonest or fraudulent actions have been highlighted by Red Bull, giving full cooperation in the investigation.
The fact remains that the 2021 Drivers’ World Championship remains officially assigned to Max Verstappenalmost a year after the events of the Abu Dhabi GP, the controversy of which continued for months following the decisions of the race direction that influenced the final result.
Now the Federation is also awaiting the verdict on the matter Aston Martin, another team found above the spending limit albeit slightly compared to Red Bull. In this case we are talking about a simple procedural violation.
