Toto Wolff has labelled the cost cap one of the “most important” regulations in F1 after the dramatic allegations that Red Bull broke financial rules in 2021. According to widespread reports, the FIA is preparing to announce that Christian Horner’s team, along with Aston Martin, exceeded last year’s £114million limit.
Horner has so far dismissed the notion as ‘speculation’, but will be aware of the potential ramifications if his team is found to have transgressed. The FIA has no clearly defined penalties in place for breaking budget cap rules, but any breach of up to 5% of the cap is considered only a ‘minor’ violation.
That would suggest a simple financial penalty, but were the breach to exceed 5%, then Mercedes are likely to push hard for stronger sanctions. The 2021 world title race went down to the final Grand Prix of the season at Abu Dhabi, where Max Verstappen edged out Lewis Hamilton in highly controversial circumstances.
Wolff has made no secret of the fact he’s still smarting from what went down in the Yas Marina, with many fans also still questioning the credibility of the Dutchman being crowned world champion. And now the Austrian has fired shots at Red Bull over the alleged breach, and urged authorities to act.
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