Red Bull Considered Guilty Of Breaching Cost Cap
Cost Cap Breach Overview
FIA announces 2021 Cost Cap breaches by Aston Martin and Red Bull#F1 https://t.co/Wx4J6xulmb
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 10, 2022
What rule did Red Bull break?
After weeks of investigation, the FIA recently announced that the four-time Constructors’ Champions were guilty of a break of Formula 1’s cost cap. This rule found its way to the sport in 2021 to level the playing field and keep teams within a maximum budget of $ 145 million annually. Red Bull crossed the line when they spent five percent more than that.
Aston Martin is the next culprit, but only committed a “procedural” break, which is connected to filling out forms incorrectly. Williams made the same mistake in the 2022 campaign.
Reports say that Red Bull may have not exceeded the limit by more than two million, which is considerably lower than what rival teams accused them of at the 2022 Singapore GP. Though it remains purely speculative until the FIA discloses more information, we expect the association to enforce punishments in the near future.
Team Sanctions
This remains unknown to most and the recent sporting infringement is not detailed like breaching technical regulations. Nevertheless, the sanctions have the following potential consequences lined up:
- A fine in an amount is to be determined on a case-to-case basis.
- A public reprimand.
- A deduction of Constructors’ Championship points awarded (for 2021 in this scenario).
- A deduction of Drivers’ Championship points awarded.
- Suspension from one or more stages of a competition.
- Limitations on the ability to conduct aerodynamic or other testing; and/or reduction of the cost cap.
The FIA said it is “currently determining the appropriate course of action to be taken”, and the likely action would be for an ‘accepted breach agreement’ to be discussed between the Constructor and the cost cap panel. However, if an agreement is not put together, then the panel and its six and 12 independent judges get the final say.
Although it’s a far-fetched idea, a deduction of championship points is among the aforementioned scenarios – and Max Verstappen’s already controversial eight-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton last year means any significant points penalty could strip him of his first title. However, this punishment bears consequences if a material breach was committed and went over five percent of the budget cap. For a minor offense, a fine or public reprimand is foreseeable down the road in the wake of Red Bull Considered Guilty Of Breaching Cost Cap issues.
Red Bull reaction
The accused party protested their innocence over the last few weeks and that lasted after the FIA’s answer. It was a surprising and disappointing response from Red Bull after insisting they complied with the rules. They said, “Our 2021 submission was below the cost cap limit, so we need to carefully review the FIA’s findings as our belief remains that the relevant costs are under the 2021 cost cap amount.”
This is a pivotal moment for both the FIA and the constructors as it looks to fortify the cost cap rules. If Red Bull is found guilty but receives a mere slap on the wrist, rival teams will likely protest and the integrity of the budget cap in future campaigns is at risk. Meanwhile, if they pursue the case and prove it correct, this also features implications and questions about the cost cap’s findings.
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