Autosport has learned that the FIA has informed the teams that its analysis of the accounts for the 2021 season has been completed and that it is ready to publish official documents on this.
As part of the process to govern the cost cap, teams have been informed that on October 5, the FIA will issue teams that were under the cost cap of approximately $145 million last year with a certificate of compliance. .
However, any team that is found to have exceeded the spending limit will be subject to a rehearing which will then impose the penalties stipulated in the regulations.
The FIA’s view on the matter is final, with F1’s financial regulations stating: “There will be no right of appeal against any decision by the Cost Cap Administration to issue a certificate of compliance to an F1 team.”
Although the FIA does not specify whether or not any teams have breached the cost cap rules, several sources informed in the F1 paddock have suggested that two teams are at risk of not obtaining certificates.
It is believed that one team may have committed a minor rule violation, while the other is a more serious material violation.
While sources say the two teams involved are Aston Martin and Red Bull, both teams have remained mum on the matter.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR22, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner declined to comment when approached by Autosport, while Aston Martin simply said it was in ongoing talks with the governing body.
An Aston Martin spokesperson said: “We have submitted our 2021 report. We are in discussion with the FIA and are awaiting certification.”
Amid growing intrigue over the need for cost cap hearings over last year’s figures, the governing body said the matter would be dealt with in due course.
“The FIA is currently finalizing 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 through the formal process set out in the regulations,” a spokesperson said. .
F1’s regulations provide a range of options to punish teams that have breached the cost cap.
For a minor infraction, which is less than 5% overshoot, penalties may include a public reprimand, deduction of constructors’ or riders’ championship points, exclusion from events, aero testing limitations, or a fine.
A material override, which is considered more than 5% over the limit, includes optional harsher penalties.
These include the deduction of driver or manufacturer championship points, suspension of events, aero testing limits, exclusion from the championship or a future reduction in the cost cap.
