Red Bull goes for acquittal at the FIA and this is why

Red Bull's statement read that they noted the FIA's findings with "surprise" and "disappointment". The Austrian formation reveals, "Our submission for 2021 was below the budget cap, so we have to carefully study the FIA's findings, as we remain convinced that the relevant costs are below the 2021 cost cap."

The bit about 'relevant costs' is particularly interesting here. Indeed, it was previously revealed via De Telegraaf that the offence committed by Red Bull was probably related to spending too much money on things like catering and sick leave. No extra money has reportedly gone into the development of the F1 cars.

Red Bull further says it is exploring all possible options. It will take time in the coming period to dive deeper into the case and the FIA's outcomes. Indeed, Red Bull is keen to prove its case.

Presumably, Red Bull will be fined and, despite the fact that the team can afford it just fine, the Milton Keynes-based team will go one hundred per cent for acquittal. Red Bull is not going to simply get away with just paying the fine. One will do everything in its power to prove that they have neatly complied with the regulations. Why? Red Bull has an image to uphold and if it is found to have broken the rules, that image will be slightly dented.

Mercedes and Ferrari, meanwhile, will put pressure on the FIA to crack down on offenders. If a team spends too much money, it feels like an unfair competition. Ultimately, however, it is the FIA itself, as the independent governing body, that has to come up with a punishment. How high that penalty will be will presumably only come out if Red Bull accepts the sanction or officially appeals.