The ruling will not have an impact on the 2021 title (Picture: Getty)
Red Bull have been found guilty of a ‘minor’ breach of Formula One’s financial rules, the FIA has announced – though it will not impact last season’s championship.
The governing body has finally announced the results of its checks on teams’ compliance with budget cap rules, which permitted a spend of up to $145million during the 2021 season.
Although there had been some speculation that Red Bull might have overspent by as much as $10m, Monday’s announcement says they have only committed a ‘minor’ overspend which amounts to less than five per cent.
The FIA confirmed that Red Bull – the only team to have exceeded the cap – had also committed a procedural breach, as did Aston Martin.
Punishments have yet to be determined but given that Red Bull’s breach was only ‘minor’, the Daily Mail are reporting that Max Verstappen’s 2021 title is not under threat and the team are only likely to receive a fine.
A statement read: ‘The FIA Cost Cap Administration is currently determining the appropriate course of action to be taken under the Financial Regulations with respect to Aston Martin and Red Bull and further information will be communicated in compliance with the Regulations.
‘Procedural Breaches can result in Financial Penalties and/or Minor Sporting Penalties (in case of aggravating factors) as detailed in the Financial Regulation.
‘Minor Overspend breach (<5% Cost Cap) can result in Financial Penalties and/or Minor Sporting Penalties.’
The FIA’s rules state that minor breaches of the financial regulations can result in financial penalties and/or minor sporting penalties, with other potential punishments including a limitation on conducting aerodynamic testing or a reduction to the team’s future cost cap limit.
Red Bull principle Christian Horner was adamant his team had not breached the spending limit, telling Sky Sports: ‘We feel we’ve absolutely complied with the cost cap, with the regulations. We’re happy with our submission and are waiting to hear what the feedback is.’
Mercedes rival Toto Wolff was less convinced, saying: ‘The crucial part is that if you have been over in 2021, then you’ve been over in 2022 and that means you have an advantage into 2023.
‘If it’s true that they formulated a lightweight chassis this year, they may use it the next year, so it’s really a cascade of events that can influential on all of the three championships. This is heavyweight, it’s massively heavyweight.’
MORE : Max Verstappen wins 2022 Formula 1 title after victory at Japanese Grand Prix
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The ruling will not have an impact on the 2021 title.