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Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA has confirmed that Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin were in breach of last year’s cost cap.
During the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, speculation was rife in the paddock that Red Bull and Aston Martin had failed to remain within the sport’s cost cap for the 2021 season.
The spending cap was brought in by F1 for last season, with the aim to close in the field by preventing the front-runners from spending more than those at the back.
However, following a report published after Max Verstappen’s second title win at the Japanese Grand Prix, the winners of last year’s driver’s championship as well as Aston Martin have been found guilty of breaches.
While the Silverstone-based Aston Martin team is in procedural breach, Red Bull has been declared to have also done so while further committing a Minor Financial Overspend.
In the report, the governing body said:
“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.”
Red Bull have responded on social media, releasing a statement declaring that their submission to the FIA was within the $145million cap.
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 10, 2022
The controversy comes after the team’s rapid development schedule last season, bringing upgrades to the RB16B on a regular basis compared to other outfits, notably title rivals Mercedes.
In an interview at the Japanese Grand Prix, 2021 runner-up Sir Lewis Hamilton
“I remember last year in Silverstone we [Mercedes] had our last upgrade and fortunately it was great and we could fight with it.
“But then we would see Red Bull, every weekend or every other weekend, bringing upgrades. They had at least four more upgrades from that point.
“If we spent £300,000 on a new floor or an adapted wing, we would have changed the outcome of the championship, naturally, because we would have been in better competition in the next race.
“I hope that that’s not the case.”
Calls for action surrounding the breach have began to emerge, with questions over Verstappen’s 2021 title victory emerging after the controversy.
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