Discourse began to bubble up over the Singapore weekend as Mattia Binotto and Toto Wolff claimed that Red bull and Aston Martin were over the cost cap for 2021, with Wolff describing the ordeal as “an open secret” within the paddock. At the time, both Red Bull and Aston Martin vehemently denied these allegations, with Christian Horner accusing Mercedes and Ferrari of “fictitious” and “hugely defamatory” claims.
More fuel was added to the fire, though, when the release of the certificates of compliance was announced to be delayed till after the Japanese Grand Prix
More fuel was added to the fire, though, when the release of the certificates of compliance was announced to be delayed till after the Japanese Grand Prix, in which Max Verstappen clinched the World Drivers Championship. Since it was announced that the cost cap has actually been breached, there has been radio silence from Horner.
Ross Brawn (Formula One's managing director) is on record saying “if you fraudulently breach financial regulations, you will be losing your championship.” However, over the last few days, sources such as Sky News have been reiterating that “No team is set to face severe punishment” as the breaches were only “minor.” Ferrari and Mercedes in particular are not happy with the current state of affairs, with Ferrari urging the governing body to be especially strict, firm and open with how the matter is dealt with.
If you fraudulently breach financial regulations, you will be losing your championship.
Ross Brawn
A minor breach is defined by regulations as less than 5% of the budget cap, up to $7.25 million, though even a “minor breach” could result in half a second per lap in performance. Teams such as Mercedes are especially concerned about fair punishment as they have had to make staff redundant in previous years in order to stay under the budget cap for 2021 and 2022.
Now Red Bull has been found guilty, there is a range of options for the FIA to impose as sanctions, including fines, points deductions and exclusion from the championship. The news has taken the internet by storm and every side is debating what the overspending was on, with speculation that it may be on catering, sick pay for staff, and even wages for the likes of Adrien Newey. Though, salaries of the top three non-driver members of staff, tax bills, non-Formula One activities (such as the running of historic cars) and any expenditure relating to maternity, paternity, sick and medical leave are not counted within the budget.
While the silence continues, we are left to speculate what the punishment will be, and what damage this will do to Red Bull. With the tarnished reputation and constant debate over rules since the result of Abu Dhabi 2021, the image of Formula One and the authenticity of its championships are very much in question.