Red Bull, along with Aston Martin, have both been found guilty by the FiA – Formula One’s governing body – of breaking Formula 1’s budget cap during the 2021 F1 season.
The budget for the 2021 F1 season was $145 million per team and both Aston Martin and Red Bull were found to have exceeded that limit – though, while FIA deemed both breaches to be classified as “minor”, the lower of the two categories of breach, meaning the teams exceeded the cap by less than 5%, or $7.25 million – there is considerable controversy as to both what that amount translates into concerning season results [with Ferrari claiming a $5 million breach can convert into up to a half-second advantage on the track] as well as potential penalties since Mercedes was on track to have their driver, seven-time F1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton, claim an eighth world title if not for the illegal actions of a rogue race director in the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix fiasco.
However, the FIA, in their usual foot-dragging form – the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix fiasco was not fully investigated until well after its conclusion and today’s announcement was finally made official after three previous reporting delays – did not reveal the amount by which Red Bull exceeded the cap nor how Red Bull had done so, nor what penalties would be applied. Instead, the FiA said they were “currently determining appropriate action”.
Potential penalties for a ‘minor’ breach include: a reprimand; deduction of drivers’ and/or constructors’ championship points for the season in question; suspension from one or more stages of a competition; limitations on aerodynamic or other testing; and a reduction of the team’s cost cap.
Both Aston Martin and Red Bull have the possibility of appealing against the FiA’s decision, though neither have yet indicated they would pursue an appeal. In addition to the potential of an appeal, both also have the opportunity to enter into a ‘settlement agreement’ with the FIA. whereupon the team in question would accept guilt in exchange for a penalty that the FIA deems appropriate.
If a settlement agreement cannot be reached, the dispute will go to an adjudication panel of independent judges, who will look at the case and come to the conclusion whether the offence should be penalized. If the team remains unhappy with that conclusion, the team can take its case to the FIA’s international court of appeal.
While Aston Martin’s breach is reported to be smaller and focused on administrative costs, Red Bull’s, on the other hand, is speculated to be development and performance-related.