Verstappen and Hamilton face wait as FIA ‘consider’ deadline extension

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Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton face the prospect of waiting longer than first expected to discover the outcome of the FIA’s investigation into budget cap breaches amid suggestions the 2021 champion could be stripped of his title. The motorsport governing body are reportedly set to extend their deadline to ensure they reach the right decision on the controversial topic that has divided the paddock.

Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, allegations were made that at least one team allegedly breached budget regulations for last season by exceeding the maximum £114million allowed.

The FIA confirmed in a series of statements last week they had been in the process of looking into the accusations, although they refused to name any of the parties involved.

It is understood complaints have been made about Red Bull spending beyond the budget cap, leaving team principal Christian Horner furious and the Red Bull supremo has pledged to explore pursuing legal action against those responsible for making the allegation.

“What I said absolutely stands. Let’s consider all of our options,” he told Sky Sports F1. “It is totally unacceptable to make a totally unfounded allegation, and on the basis of what knowledge? What is the source of this information?”

It was believed the FIA were set to publish the findings of their investigation on Wednesday, which could see teams fined or even docked points if they are found to be in breach of the complex budget rules. But according to The Daily Mail, F1’s lawmakers are insisting on ‘biding their time’ due to the sensitivity of the issue and will not comply with the teams’ demands.

With this in mind, it remains possible the FIA could even push back the date of when they make their information available beyond Wednesday, leaving Verstappen and Hamilton in the dark over their status as world champions.

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Depending on the severity of the breach, it was reported that the Red Bull star could be stripped of his Drivers’ Championship title if the team are found guilty.

That now looks unlikely, as the report includes a source close to Red Bull who has insisted the breach is only ‘minor’. Unconfirmed reports,meanwhile, have suggested the Constructors’ Championship leaders exceeded their budget by around £1m, which would result in a heavy fine instead of any reduction of points.

But the delay in reaching the final decision will only increase the nerves for Verstappen, with the 25-year-old on the verge of wrapping up his second title with a 104-point lead over Charles Leclerc. He has already squandered his first chance to wrap up the title and was notably irritated by issues on and off the track after coming home in seventh place at the Singapore Grand Prix over the weekend.

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