(Paris) The Red Bull Formula 1 team of double world champion Max Verstappen exceeded the authorized budget ceiling during the 2021 season, which constitutes a “minor violation” of the regulations, announced Monday the International Federation of automobile (FIA) in a press release.
Posted at 12:05 p.m.
“Oracle Red Bull Racing is considered to be in procedural and minor violation of financial regulations [régissant le championnat] “, indicates the FIA, which has not announced sanctions but “is in the process of determining the course of action to be adopted”.
In addition to Red Bull, the FIA considered that the Aston Martin team had committed a “procedural violation” of financial regulations.
The Williams Racing team, whose accounts were also being examined for a procedural violation, finally complied with the regulations for the 2021 season “in a timely manner”, and “in transparency”, continues the FIA.
The other seven stables on the board have had their expenses approved.
Coming into force last year, the cap was set at $145 million for this inaugural season, marked by Verstappen’s first world title (the constructor’s title having gone to Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team). It was lowered to 140 million for the current season.
Several types of expenses are excluded, including driver salaries and team marketing activities.
The FIA establishes in its statutes two types of infringement – minor below 5% of the ceiling, or major above 5% – and sanctions ranging from a simple reprimand or financial fine to exclusion from the championship, in through deductions of points in the drivers’ and/or constructors’ championship.
The FIA ”is in the process of determining the course of action to be taken with regard to financial regulations in relation to Aston Martin and Red Bull and additional information will be communicated in accordance” with the regulations.