F1 calls for sporting sanctions for budget cap breaches over financial penalties
Nate SaundersGeneral Editor, F13 minute read
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Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali has called on the sports governing body, the FIA, to impose sporting sanctions, not fines, on any team violating the 2022 budget cap.
In October, Red Bull was fined $7 million and reduced wind tunnel testing time by 10% for exceeding the company’s 2021 budget cap of $145 million by $1.8 million.
The penalty was controversial among rival teams as they felt it was not severe enough – earlier this year Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur described it as “very light”.
Red Bull, who are currently unbeaten in all ten races this year, insist the wind tunnel penalty will be felt in the development race later this year.
The FIA, the organization responsible for imposing sanctions, is working through the financial records of all ten teams from 2022 and hopes to publish the results early in the year – last year Red Bull received a penalty for both the driver and team only after the race was completed also increase the constructor title.
The FIA has more than doubled the size of its testing team this year and its examination of the teams will also include an in-depth examination of the non-F1 operations and departments of manufacturers and companies participating in the championship.
Formula 1 boss Domenicali has indicated he would like teams that exceed the cap to face severe penalties such as a point deduction or something else with championship implications.
“I would like the penalty in the event of an infringement to be sporting. That’s something we’ve clearly demanded,” Domenicali told Autosport. “There are three rules to consider: sporting, technical and financial. Violations must be punished with sporting measures. You are not allowed to go in other directions.”
Last year, rumors of a budget cap violation surfaced well before the FIA announced who had and who hadn’t adhered to the limit.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner was outraged at the way the process went and Domenicali believes a quick response is key this time.
“Control is in the hands of the FIA,” he said. “Personally, I have asked to anticipate the publication of the investigations carried out by the FIA staff as soon as possible.”
“But I’m only saying that because that way there’s no room for speculation and comment that’s not good for anyone.”