The day after Max Verstappen’s second world title, the International Federation announced on Monday that his team, Red Bull, had not respected the budget limit during the 2021 season, the one at the end of which the regulations changed in Formula 1.
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It’s a small earthquake. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has announced [en anglais]Monday, October 10, that the Red Bull team had exceeded the authorized budget ceiling during the 2021 season, which constitutes a “minor violation”. “Oracle Red Bull Racing is considered to be in procedural and minor breach of financial regulations (governing the championship)”indicates the FIA, which has not announced any sanctions but “is in the process of determining the course of action to be taken”.
FIA completes review under the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Financial Regulations https://t.co/ShX1dIuttZ
— FIA (@fia) October 10, 2022
The decision had been awaited for several days. It was the day after Max Verstappen’s new consecration, at the end of the Japanese GP, that it fell. A judgment that casts a veil over the performance of Austrian single-seaters this season. Because in 2021, its top driver Max Verstappen won his first world drivers’ title (Red Bull finished 2nd among manufacturers behind Mercedes), while developing his completely modified 2022 single-seater, after a change in regulations. Each team had to ensure this enormous development while respecting this budget ceiling. The formation of Christian Horner did not.
For this first season of application, the ceiling was set at 145 million dollars (149 million euros). Under FIA regulations, a minor infraction is within 5% of the cap. Sanctions range from a simple reprimand to exclusion from the championship, including financial fines or the withdrawal of points from the drivers’ and/or constructors’ championship.
The FIA also considered that the Aston Martin team had committed a “procedural breach” financial regulations. Williams Racing, whose accounts were also being scrutinized for a procedural breach, finally complied with the regulations for the 2021 season “in right time”and “in transparency”, continues the FIA. The other seven stables on the board have had their expenses approved.