FIA Vigorously Defends Handling of Red Bull’s $7M Budget Cap Penalty

The fiasco involving Red Bull finally comes to an end as FIA has declared its verdict on their breach of the $145m budget cap. The Milton-Keynes outfit was charged with overspending and a procedural breach by the FIA. Similarly, Aston Martin Racing was also charged with a procedural breach.

There was a lot of pressure on the sport’s governing body from Red Bull’s rival teams, particularly Mercedes and Ferrari. Moreover, McLaren CEO Zak Brown even wrote a letter to the FIA claiming Red Bull had ‘cheated’ by breaching the financial budget cap.

The FIA has now announced the punishment for the Milton-Keynes-based team. Red Bull received a hefty fine of $7 million. Furthermore, there will be a 10% reduction in their wind tunnel testing going into 2023. The Breach was approximately $2.2m. However, the FIA acknowledged if a tax credit had been correctly applied, it would have been 0.37%

The statement read, “In these circumstances, the Cost Cap Administration offered to RBR an ABA to resolve this matter. That offer was accepted by RBR.”

It further said, “Given the limited nature of the Procedural Breach in issue and the fact that the Minor Overspend Breach falls at the lower end of the <5% minor overspend range, and RBR’s willingness to accept the breaches and to cooperate with the Cost Cap Administration. That offer was accepted by RBR.”

READ MORE: “Cheater Cheater Cheater”: Fans Label FIA’s Sanction ‘A F**king Joke’ as Red Bull Gets Away With a Slap on the Wrist

The decision will be a welcome one at the Red Bull camp. However, it will be interesting to listen to what the Mercedes and Ferrari camps have to say about the same.

The FIA claims that Red Bull cannot challenge their verdict

Formula 1’s governing body has revealed that Red Bull cannot appeal this decision. Subsequently, they gave an explanation stating that Red Bull failed to comply with the budget cap on 13 different points. Furthermore, they have accepted their fault and admitted the same. Therefore the FIA has closed the case and it cannot be reopened.

In the statement, they wrote, “The decision of the Cost Cap Administration to enter into the ABA constitutes its final decision resolving this matter and is not subject to appeal.”

It further added, “Non-compliance by RBR with any terms of the ABA will result in a further Procedural Breach under Articles 6.30 and 8.2(f) of the Financial Regulations and automatic referral to the Cost Cap Adjudication Panel.”

They have also said that RBR acted cooperatively and provided additional information whenever demanded.

WATCH THIS STORY: As Budget Cap Fate Nears, Red Bull Boss Makes Final Statement

The Milton-Keynes constructors will move forward to the next race of the season. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will be looking for their 9th Red Bull win on the trot. Are you happy with FIA’s judgment?