Red Bull found guilty of minor budget cap breach for 2021 F1 season

Red Bull Racing has been found guilty of breaching Formula 1's financial regulations. The team will be penalised for exceeding the budget cap in 2021, but Max Verstappen does not seem to have to fear for his world title. The offence is a minor one. The exact penalty is not yet confirmed. 

The outcome was initially due to be published on Wednesday, but the announcement was moved to Monday. Remarkably, Mercedes and Ferrari team bosses already seemed to know the ins and outs of it while the investigation was still ongoing and the relevant information was not accessible. On this, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner voiced their concerns, but the FIA themselves were also not happy with the "wild speculations" circulating in the Formula 1 paddock.

Red Bull penalised, Verstappen looks to retain title

On Monday, the FIA reached the conclusion that sanctions should follow for Red Bull. Initially, there was speculation about different scenarios, with Verstappen possibly having to fear for his world title. However, that seems very unlikely due to the minor infraction.

Statement of the FIA: "The review of the Reporting Documentation submitted has been an intensive and thorough process, and all Competitors gave their full support in providing the required information to assess their financial situation during this first year of the Financial Regulations. The FIA Cost Cap Administration notes that all Competitors acted at all times in a spirit of good faith and cooperation throughout the process."

"The FIA would also note that with respect to this first year of the application of the Financial Regulations the intervention of the FIA Cost Cap Administration has been limited to reviewing the submissions made by the Competitors and that no full formal investigations were launched."

"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."

FIA completes review under the 2021 FIA Formula 1 Financial Regulations https://t.co/ShX1dIuttZ

— FIA (@fia) October 10, 2022