Financial doping? Formula 1 in the Red Bull dilemma

“If there has been a breach of the rules, there must be a significant penalty,” Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto had just said on the sidelines of the World Cup round in Japan. But many observers doubt that the world association FIA will bring itself to do this. After months of auditing, the FIA announced on Monday evening that Red Bull was the only one of the ten teams to have exceeded the spending limit last year.

The cost limit is intended to ensure more equal opportunities. The umbrella organization said the violation was a “minor” amount. But that's exactly what the scene is arguing about. Marginal, that is, less than five percent of the permitted $145 million (around 150 million euros). That would still be up to 7,25 million. Competitors are demanding tougher penalties Ferrari team boss Binotto calculated that additional investments of one to two million dollars could make a car up to 0,2 seconds faster per lap. This is a decisive advantage, for example in the fight for pole position. Experts pointed out that smaller teams like Alfa Romeo barely have more than $2,5 million available per season to further develop their racing cars.

Toto Wolff draws attention to the advantages. © ANSA / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / POOL

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff also pointed out that an advantage gained last year through unauthorized spending would continue to have an effect next season. After all, components that have already been developed do not have to be paid for again. However, salaries for drivers and senior managers, marketing costs and travel expenses do not fall under the cost limit. According to reports, Red Bull is arguing that unexpectedly high catering costs are the reason for the additional expenditure.

The fact that the FIA has not yet announced a sentence and left open in its statement the exact sum involved in Red Bull's offense only accelerated the speculation. Three-year-old statements from Formula 1 sports director Ross Brawn quickly resurfaced, who asserted at the time: “These rules have teeth. If you fraudulently break the financial rules, you will lose your world title.” What does the FIA decide to do? The catalog of possible penalties is extensive. Everything is possible, from a mere warning to the deduction of World Championship points in the driver or team standings, a ban or a restriction on development tests through to a lowering of the team's spending limit. The FIA, however, already pointed out in its announcement that only a serious violation automatically leads to the deduction of championship points.

Max Verstappen can probably keep his World Championship title from last year. © ANSA / FRANCK ROBICHON

This can be seen as an indication that Verstappen does not have to worry too much about his first title from last year. It was already highly controversial. Race director Michael Masi bent the rules at the finale in Abu Dhabi, allowing Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton on the last lap.

The results of the FIA financial audit reopened the wounds of the numerous Hamilton fans. Verstappen not only benefited from the mistake of Masi, who was later fired because of it, but also from an illegally developed car - so many wrote on the Internet. We are talking about financial doping, which should be punished just as harshly as doping in other sports. Red Bull claims innocence Red Bull, however, said it was “surprised” and “disappointed” by the allegations. The team is still convinced that it has adhered to the spending limit and wants to examine legal remedies. If Red Bull does not admit a mistake, the case will go to a tax court set up specifically for this purpose by the Fiat. An appeal against a judgment can then be lodged with the International Court of Appeal of the FIA.

The delicate case is likely to drag on for even longer and put a strain on the final weeks of the season, which has already been decided with Verstappen's second title. The sticking point for the rule enforcers: If they don't judge harshly enough, it reduces the deterrent effect of the budget limit. If they take drastic action, there could suddenly be another champion around a year after the scandal in Abu Dhabi.

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Financial doping? Formula 1 in the Red Bull dilemma

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