Mercedes push for sanctions after Red Bull guilty verdict
Max Verstappen commits future to Red Bull signing £200m deal
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The FIA are now considering their next steps amid the fallout of Red Bull’s budget cap breach. And the energy drink giant’s two main rivals Mercedes and Ferrari are reportedly pushing for strict sanctions.
On Monday, the FIA confirmed that Red Bull were guilty of a ‘minor overspend’ after they audited spending for the 2021 season. But Max Verstappen will keep his title, with a financial penalty the most likely form of punishment.
But, according to Autosport, Mercedes and Ferrari have been clear in their view of the need for strict sanctions. And the issue is set to be a big political story to close out the season.
Mercedes were hardest hit by Red Bull’s budget breach as their blockbuster star Lewis Hamilton missed out on the 2021 title. And Silver Arrows chiefs may well be furious that the Briton was denied a record eighth championship by a team that fell foul of the budget cap.
Mercedes have fallen down the F1 pecking order this season amid porpoising issues with their new-look car after teams were forced to redesign their vehicles in the wake of regulation changes during the off-season. Ferrari have been Red Bull’s main rivals this term, with Charles Leclerc leading the Drivers’ Championship during the early stages of the season. And the Italian team appear keen for Red Bull to pay for their mistake.
The FIA announced their audit findings on Monday afternoon. And the organisation confirmed they were still deciding how to punish Red Bull as well as Aston Martin, who were guilty of a ‘procedural’ mistake as they filled out a form incorrectly.
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“The FIA confirms that its Cost Cap Administration has now completed the review of the Reporting Documentation submitted by each Competitor that participated in the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship in respect of the 2021 Reporting Period ending on 31 December 2021,” the organisation wrote in a statement. “The FIA Cost Cap Administration notes that all Competitors acted at all times in a spirit of good faith and cooperation throughout the process.
“The FIA would also note that with respect to this first year of the application of the Financial Regulations the intervention of the FIA Cost Cap Administration has been limited to reviewing the submissions made by the Competitors and that no full formal investigations were launched
“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.”
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