Lewis Hamilton says the FIA must come down heavily on any teams found to have breached Formula 1’s cost cap in 2021, suggesting that it could have played a role in deciding the world championship.
Max Verstappen won the world title in a controversial finish in Abu Dhabi, but his Red Bull team is at the centre of speculation that it was one of two teams that overspent in 2021.
Red Bull strongly denies the allegations, with team boss Christian Horner calling them “hugely defamatory.”
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The FIA has been auditing each team to confirm they were below the $226 million cost cap, its findings were due out on Wednesday but have been delayed until next Monday.
It’s been suggested that the report wouldn’t have been delayed if all teams were compliant.
Hamilton, who lost the championship to Verstappen on the final lap of the season, revealed his frustrations at seeing Red Bull arrive with updates to their car that Mercedes couldn’t afford.
The 37-year-old says those found to have overspent must be severely punished.
“For sure, because it would put in question our values, the integrity of the sport,” he said.
“I remember last year, as a driver, you are always asking for updates. I remember at Silverstone we got our last update, and it was worth almost three tenths. I’m pretty certain it cost less than a million… but maybe over time it would cost more in terms of being built.
“I remember after that needing more updates, but then seeing trucks from those guys [Red Bull], updates continuing to arrive on the other car. I was thinking, ‘Jeez, it’s gonna be hard to beat them in the championship if they keep bringing updates’.”
Hamilton pointed out that even one more upgrade to his Mercedes could have changed the championship result.
“It’s so integral to the development race. If we had another half a million to spend, we would have been in a different position at some of the following races if we had brought another floor, which we could have easily done,” he said.
“But that’s not the name of the game and I’m grateful our team is very strict and abides [to the rules]. The way we work, they did an amazing job. It needs to be taken seriously.”
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