Max Verstappen keeps title from Hamilton despite FIA finding Red Bull guilty of breach | F1 | Sport

Max Verstappen is set to keep his 2021 title after Red Bull were reportedly found to be in ‘minor’ breach of F1’s cost cap. The FIA have now published their findings into teams’ spending for the 2021 season.

Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, it was widely speculated that Red Bull and Aston Martin had exceeded the 2021 budget cap, which stood at £114million. A discrepancy of over five per cent could have seen Verstappen stripped of his maiden title.

But, according to the Daily Mail, Red Bull’s discrepancy was less than £1.8million and not the £10m which had previously been suggested, although the FIA aren’t expected to reveal the amount. No other team has been found to have overspent, but Aston Martin are said to have made a ‘procedural’ mistake as they filled out a form incorrectly.

“The FIA Cost Cap Administration is currently determining the appropriate course of action to be taken under the Financial Regulations with respect to Aston Martin and Red Bull and further information will be communicated in compliance with the Regulations,” read an FIA statement on Monday afternoon.

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The FIA confirmed they had initially investigated possible breaches of up to £10.5million ($12million), with their vice president Robert Reid hinting at the weekend that Red Bull would not face major penalties. He claimed the release of the findings would “come and go” with fans likely to quickly move on.

He predicted any beaches would be “minor and material” in an indication the team were unlikely to face any major deductions. The decision is a blow for Mercedes and Ferrari who would have taken advantage of any points deductions.

Sky Sports host Craig Slater stressed teams are unable to appeal a decision meaning Mercedes cannot look to impose a stricter penalty on Red Bull. However, team boss Toto Wolff claimed last week the issue could still end up at a cost cap adjudication panel or International Court of Appeal.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Slater explained: “If a team is not happy with what comes out on Monday, there is no process to officially appeal within the FIA procedures. That’s only the beginning of another process because we then go to the cost cap adjudicatory panel, which is six judges and any teams found in breach will then get another opportunity to defend themselves.”