Red Bull hit with cost cap bombshell just ‘an hour’ after Verstappen won title

Red Bull were informed they were in breach of F1’s budget cap just an hour after Max Verstappen sealed his second successive world title, it has been claimed.

Verstappen was confirmed as a champion in bizarre fashion after winning a shortened Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka earlier this month. But question marks over his 2021 triumph refuse to go away. Rumours had already been swirling that Red Bull had breached the sport’s new financial restrictions, and that was confirmed to the world a day after the race in Japan.

Governing body the FIA have found the Milton Keynes outfit guilty of a ‘minor’ breach, which could be anything up to £5.7million. It widely reported that Red Bull overspend by around £1.5million, although that could have still funded a significant upgrade amid the tightest of title battles with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.

READ MORE: Red Bull 'in talks' with FIA over punishment after cost cap breach

Verstappen pipped Hamilton to the title in Abu Dhabi following then race director Michael Masi’s bungled handling of a late-race safety car period. Red Bull’s spending has now become the most contentious issue of 2021.

According to theDaily Mail,team principal Christian Horner was notified of the breach as they celebrated Verstappen’s title in Japan. The report adds that the timing of the notification contributes to Red Bull’s “feeling of persecution”. Dialogue between Red Bull and the FIA is said to have been “minimal” since the official announcement on October 10 amid widespread frustration that details of the transgression and the severity of the punishment are still to be announced.

How should Red Bull be punished for breaching the cost cap? Tell us in the comments section below.

It is also claimed that Horner intends to stoutly defend the team’s position when he addresses the media at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix at Austin. Horner is due to appear at the team principals’ press conference on Saturday but is usually interviewed on Friday as well.

Daily Star Sport has approached the FIA for a comment.

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