The FIA have confirmed that Red Bull exceeded the budget cap during the 2021 season, but said it has only committed a “minor” breach.
The sport’s governing body also found Aston Martin did not fully comply with the regulations, but the stated they had only committed a “procedural” breach.
It also noted Williams committed a similar procedural breach which was reported earlier this year.
The FIA has not indicated how far Red Bull exceeded the spending limit by. Teams were restricted to a maximum expenditure of $145 million last season. The Financial Regulations defines a “minor” breach as being up to 5% over that, meaning Red Bull’s excess spending will be no more than $7.25m.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has repeatedly insisted his team’s submission showed it complied with the spending cap. He told the BBC this morning: “Anything other than compliance we’ll be extremely surprised at.”
No sanctions for the breaches committed by Red Bull or Aston Martin have been announced. The matter will be referred to the FIA Cost Cap Administration for a decision.
“Further information will be communicated in compliance with the regulations,” said the FIA in a statement.
The Financial Regulations allow for any combination of six different penalties to teams which commit “minor” breaches. These are a pubic reprimand, deduction of constructors’ or drivers’ championship points, suspension from stages of competitions (excluding races), limitations of aerodynamic or other testing or a further reduction of the cost cap.
Red Bull finished second in the constructors championship last year, while Aston Martin came seventh. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the drivers championship by eight points from Lewis Hamilton.
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FIA statement on cost cap
The FIA confirms that its Cost Cap Administration has now completed the review of the Reporting Documentation submitted by each Competitor that participated in the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship in respect of the 2021 Reporting Period ending on 31 December 2021.
The FIA Cost Cap Administration has issued certificates of compliance to seven of the ten Competitors:
- Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team is considered to be in Procedural Breach of the Financial Regulations;
- Oracle Red Bull Racing is considered to be in Procedural and Minor Overspend Breaches of the Financial Regulations; and
- Williams Racing has complied with the Financial…
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