Overspending limit – Newspaper Kommersant No. 188 (7389) dated 10/11/2022

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has found Formula 1 team Red Bull guilty of exceeding the 2021 spending ceiling. However, the worst-case scenario, namely the deprivation of Max Verstappen of the title he won last season, was avoided. In the FIA ​​statement, the offense committed by Red Bull is classified as minor. So, most likely, the federation will limit itself to a fine. How exactly, it will become clear later.

On Monday FIA published a report on the compliance of Formula 1 teams with the spending ceiling in 2021. Recall that, according to the regulations, they could not spend more than $145 million per season (the limit is $140 million in the current season, and $135 million in the 2023-2025 seasons). Interest in this routine event escalated after the boss of the Mercedes team – Red Bull’s key competitor last year – Toto Wolf declaredthat everyone in the paddock has long known that Red Bull has exceeded the budget. In response, the head of Red Bull Christian Horner said that the statements of Mr. Wolf are slanderous.

According to the rules, an overspending of more than 5% is considered a material violation, entailing a wide range of possible severe sanctions, ranging from deprivation of points, ending with elimination from the championship.

However, according to the FIA ​​statement, Red Bull exceeded the limit by less than 5%. According to the message The Guardian, we are talking about an overspending of about $ 2.5 million. This is four times less than the amounts previously mentioned by various sources. It is worth noting, however, that the FIA ​​admitted that they did not conduct a full audit of the accounts. The FIA ​​statement notes that it made allowances for the fact that the spending limit in 2021 was only valid for the first year, and therefore was satisfied solely with the study of documents submitted by the teams, without requiring confirmation of the information reflected in them.

So the leader of Red Bull Max Verstappen, who won his first title last year, and last Sunday issued and the second championship, the title will not be lost. However, Red Bull will still have to be punished. Another thing is that the FIA ​​does not report which one. This matter has been referred to the Cost Cap Administration (CCA). As stated in the FIA ​​statement, there are two scenarios. The first comes down to the fact that the CCA and Red Bull reach an agreement on punishment. This can be both a fine and “minor” sports restrictions, for example, a reduction in the time limit for working in a wind tunnel. The second option will be activated if Red Bull does not agree with the penalty. Then the case will be referred to the CCA Judicial Board, which will make a decision.

Alexander Petrov