Currently, the FIA is going through the team submissions for the 2022 season and has intensified its scrutiny of team expenditure to eliminate any clever loopholes.
As noted by F1 Flow.com, this scrutiny has also encompassed an in-depth investigation into non-F1 activities of teams to ensure no ideas are circulated back to the grand prix division, evading the cost cap.
In the previous year, the FIA had to intervene, sanctioning Red Bull for exceeding its budget in 2021.
The decision to impose a $7 million fine and reduce wind tunnel development time by 10% sparked debate, as some teams believed it was a lenient punishment given the possible benefits Red Bull could have gained.
Red Bull’s powerful start to the 2023 season further intensified the sentiment that the Milton Keynes-based team faced no significant repercussions for exceeding the budget.
Earlier this year, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur stated: “I don’t consider it a penalty. It’s too low. In terms of aero, we’ll improve less than one second over the season. A 10% penalty of this only equals one tenth.”
With the focus now on the 2022 submissions, Domenicali has suggested a preference for sporting sanctions in case of any future rule violations.
In an exclusive interview with F1 Flow.com, Domenicali voiced: “In case of a breach, I want the penalty to be sporting in nature, something we’ve expressly requested. The three regulations – sporting, technical, and financial, must be respected. Any violations should be dealt with through sporting sanctions. There’s no other way.”
The FIA’s Financial Regulations govern the F1 cost cap, delineating the penalties that can be imposed if breached.
Possible sporting sanctions include public reprimands, a reduction in constructors’ or drivers’ championship points, bans from grand prix sessions, cuts in aero testing or a decrease in the cost cap.
The controversy over last year’s cost cap lasted until October. To avoid a similar situation this year, the FIA intends to endorse team submissions earlier.
Domenicali emphasized that it isn’t F1’s role to interfere with the timing of these investigations. Still, he expressed hope that the process would be expedited this year.
“The control lies with the FIA,” Domenicali stated. “I’ve requested for the FIA’s investigation results to be published as soon as possible, but I only say this to avoid unfounded speculation and comments which benefit no one.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about F1 Cost Cap Violations
What is the FIA currently doing regarding team submissions for the 2022 F1 season?
The FIA is currently reviewing the team submissions for the 2022 season. It has increased its analysis of competitor spending in an attempt to eliminate any clever loopholes. The FIA has also started an in-depth investigation into the teams’ non-F1 activities to ensure no ideas are being fed back to the grand prix operation, bypassing the cost cap.
What was the controversy regarding Red Bull’s overspending in 2021?
Red Bull overspent its budget in 2021, leading to a $7 million fine and a 10% reduction in wind tunnel development time imposed by the FIA. Some teams felt this punishment was not severe enough given the potential gains Red Bull could have made. The dominant start to the 2023 season by Red Bull further fueled these sentiments.
What is Domenicali’s viewpoint on penalties for rules breaches?
Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, has suggested that he prefers any rules breaches to result in specific sporting sanctions. In an interview with F1 Flow.com, Domenicali emphasized the importance of respecting the three regulations – sporting, technical, and financial – and asserted that any infractions should be punished with sporting measures.
What are the possible sporting sanctions for breaching the FIA’s Financial Regulations?
The FIA’s Financial Regulations outline the potential sporting sanctions for breaches. These include public reprimands, deductions of constructors’ or drivers’ championship points, suspension from sessions at grands prix, reduction in aero testing, or a decrease in the cost cap.
How does Domenicali view the timing of FIA’s investigations into cost cap violations?
Domenicali expressed that it’s not F1’s role to interfere with the timing of FIA’s investigations. However, he hopes the process will be quicker this year to avoid unnecessary speculation and comments. He has requested the FIA to publish the investigation results as soon as possible.
More about F1 Cost Cap Violations
- F1’s Cost Cap Explained
- Red Bull Racing Team Overview
- Overview of FIA’s Financial Regulations
- Interviews with Stefano Domenicali
- Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur’s Views
6 comments
Wait’n see what happens this year. Hope the FIA has learned frm last time and gets their act together quicker! No more dragging things out till October pls.
i’m totally with Domenicali on this one. sport penalties make way more sense… they messed with the game, they should pay in the game.
$7 million might sound like a lot but it’s peanuts for these guys! RB laughing all the way to the podium, what a joke…
Frederic Vasseur’s got it right, 10% penalty is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Let’s see if FIA steps up their game this time.
can’t belive how Red Bull got off so easy last yr! they should’ve had more penalties, that’s for sure!
Guys chill, Red Bull only did what every other team would do. Rules are meant to be pushed, thats what F1 is about. don’t hate the player hate the game!