FIA target employee emails and WhatsApp exchanges amid cost cap breach claims

Cost cap breach allegations emerge against three teams prior to the Formula One summer break.

The 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix (Image credit: Motorsport Week)

The FIA rigorously investigates Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin in the budget cap drama. “Raids” and “ruthless searches” are reportedly part of their exhaustive efforts. De Telegraaf’s Erik van Haren reveals the intense scrutiny. Questions about spending and 2022 finances have raised concerns. The FIA aims to uphold fairness and enforce budget cap regulations in Formula 1.

Van Haren stated that Red Bull and Mercedes had received numerous inquiries about their submitted data. He claimed that during these raids, drawers were opened ruthlessly, and a thorough examination of everything was conducted. Even Whatsapp messages and emails were scrutinized to determine conversations between individuals and whether they discussed matters related to the Formula 1 team.

As teams accuse each other and rivals raise inquiries regarding Mercedes and McLaren’s B-spec cars, the speculations about the budget cap are set to endure. The FIA has emphasized its intention to conduct a comprehensive and deliberate investigation, showing no intent to hasten the process. Consequently, the suspense surrounding the budget cap saga will remain ongoing.

FS Video

Three teams were subjected to intensive inquiry over financial submissions

Max Verstappen’s RB19 at the 2023 British Grand Prix (Image credit: F1)

The penalties faced by the world champions Red Bull were due to technical breaches rather than overspending for performance gains. In contrast, Red Bull’s RB19 saw fewer upgrades, while McLaren and Mercedes introduced B-Spec car configurations this year. The cost cap issue will be in focus as the FIA prepares to report its findings for the teams’ 2022 annual accounts. Recent rumors suggest that three teams faced rigorous questioning about their financial submissions.

Federico Lodi, the FIA’s financial director, explained that they were dealing with organizations having 1000 employees, engaging in various activities for both the commercial and racing aspects of the teams. He further stated that they had been occupied for several months, visiting one team after another. Additionally, they faced weekly inquiries regarding the interpretation of specific issues.

Dutch F1 journalists are reporting that the FIA's eyes are yet again on Red Bull as cost cap allegations mount. Apparently the investigative process is so thorough and far reaching that even WhatsApp messages are being checked.

Well, that's going to take donkey's years then #F1 pic.twitter.com/Ypo5khwYNm
— Simon Dau (@there_is_no_if) July 30, 2023

“We’re talking about organisations with 1000 employees, who perform several activities for the commercial and racing branches of the teams,” he told the media. “We’re in fact busy for a few months already, visiting one team after the other.”

In 2019, cost cap rules were included in the provisional 2021 regulations by the FIA. Despite the pandemic postponing technical rule changes, the new financial rules persisted. The cap, excluding marketing costs and top personnel fees, started at $175 million for 2021 and was later reduced to $147.4 million due to the pandemic.