Lewis Hamilton could benefit after claims Red Bull had breached the F1 budget cap rules for the 2021 season.
The Mercedes racer missed out on securing an eighth world title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in controversial circumstances. Now, the budget cap row threatens to reopen one of the most divisive outcomes ever to an F1 season.
Reports surfaced in in Auto Motor und Sport and Gazzetta Dello Sport earlier this week claiming to show Red Bull exceeded last year’s £114million limit, potentially by over five per cent, which would equate to more than USD7.25m (£5.6m). Red Bull denied the claims and have said the reports are “just speculation” at this stage while Aston Martin, who have also been accused, said they were “in discussion with the FIA”.
Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner also responded to those claims telling Sky Sports that he was not aware of any breaches. “Accounts were submitted way back in March so it’s been a long process with the FIA,” he added. “We’re in that process as we speak.”
He has now also threatened legal action against rival Mercedes boss Toto Wolff accusing him of “hugely defamatory, fictitious claims” during Saturday's press conference.
Wolff had earlier claimed it would be a “massively heavyweight” issue if Red Bull had broken last year’s budget rules. Speaking ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Wolff said: “The cost cap is probably the most important evolution of regulations to keep a level playing field.
“It is of huge importance that these regulations are policed. The FIA, and particularly Mohammed (Ben Sulayem), have shown a pretty robust stance on enforcing all kinds of regulations. So if we are talking now about something big, he will show the same integrity and leadership that he has before.”
The FIA are due to release their findings on Wednesday and they have said there will be no further comment until the formal process has concluded. They also said in a statement: “The FIA is currently finalising the assessment of the 2021 financial data submitted by all Formula 1 teams. Alleged breaches of the Financial Regulations, if any, will be dealt with according to the formal process set out in the regulations.
“The FIA notes significant and unsubstantiated speculation and conjecture in relation to this matter, and reiterates that the assessment is ongoing and due process will be followed without consideration to any external discussion.”
Red Bull’s rivals will likely be pushing for the maximum possible penalty should those claims prove founded and that might open the door for Hamilton to win last year’s championship, though that seems very unlikely.
According to existing rules, a material breach of more than five per cent of the cap could result in sanctions including the possibility of constructors’ and drivers’ points being docked. It also includes the possibility of teams being suspended from races.
But Hamilton being elevated to champion is unlikely as the FIA are more likely to only dock the teams’ standings if the breach was deemed major enough. It is also not clear if the deductions would apply to last season or be tagged onto this year.
Another incident also suggests a financial penalty might be a more likely sanction if the claims surrounding Red Bull are found accurate. In 2007, McLaren were suspended from the Constructors’ Championship and hit with a $100million fine after it emerged they had been spying information from Ferrari.
Hamilton and Fernando Alonso - McLaren’s drivers at the time - weren’t hit with regards to their drivers’ standings.
