The report on the 2021 budget cap is finally out and Red Bull is left red-faced. The Milton Keynes-based outfit was fairly confident before FIA’s press release. However, Red Bull crossed the upper limit on the 2021 cap, so let’s see the breach’s repercussions on Max Verstappen.

The FIA has released a statement on the breach, but a verdict for the same is yet to come from the governing body. Mercedes and Ferrari are among the entities that are invested in the penalization. Although, an ESPN F1 journalist has revealed the repercussions of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s 2021 saga.

When asked what’s at stake in terms of penalties, ESPN journalist Nate Saunders got one scenario out right off the bat. “I’ve been told off the record by a few people that the chance of Verstappen losing his championship is almost nil here,” he revealed.

He added, “A lot of people, as soon as they heard breach, well, that has to be the penalty. As far as I’m aware, it’s almost impossible to happen.”

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According to the journalist, the 2021 championship exchanging hands is almost impossible and Verstappen will mostly retain his maiden championship. Moreover, Hamilton will wait another year and fight for his eighth.

If not the championship, what penalty can Red Bull expect from the FIA? The ESPN journalist has a take on that as well.

If Max Verstappen is keeping his championship, what penalty can Red Bull expect?

Nate Saunders also gave his input on what penalty might the Milton Keynes-based outfit incur.

He revealed, “But I think the cost cap reduction is probably what you’ll get. You’ll get a fine and a reduction in the cost cap.” 

Saunders believes Red Bull will get a reduction in the cap and maybe even a public reprimand. However, F1 teams spend in a way that they use their budgets to develop their cars over time. This prolonged period of time and money spent on a car makes it difficult to punish a team for overspending in one year.

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The budget reduction in the following year might become a nuisance for Red Bull regarding upgrades for their car. However, the work they’ve done on the development of the car will stay with them despite any penalty.