Red Bull agree to terms of an ‘accepted breach agreement’ with the FIA over cost cap rules – Reports
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Red Bull's Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen and Christian Horner during the Hungarian GP weekend (Image through IMAGO / HochZwei)
After the FIA found Red Bull guilty of breaching the budget cap regulations, with ‘minor overspend breaches’ and a ‘procedural breach’, there were hot debates regarding what the penalty should be. Some argued that it constitutes cheating, reportedly including Zak Brown. On the other hand, some fans outright called for their disqualification from the 2021 championship. But that is not like to happen.
Later, it had come out that the FIA had offered Red Bull the terms of an accepted breach agreement – which means that they admit to ‘wrongdoing’, but because of their acceptance of the fact, they get a lesser penalty for it. As per Autosport, it is understood that the team have now accepted the terms offered to them, and Aston Martin, who were found to be in a procedural breach, have also done the same.
Red Bull’s ‘overspend’ is believed to be in the region of around $1.8 million over the $145 million cost cap, which is just over 1 percent. If it had been more than 5 percent, more severe penalties would be expected. But as it is, the penalty already seems significant, even though nothing like disqualification from the championships or point reductions are expected. They are ‘understood’ to be receiving a dual penalty.
On the sporting side, they will receive less wind tunnel time for aero testing, said to be about a 25 percent reduction, which is a very significant penalty, as the Constructor’s champion already receives the least wind tunnel time. By comparison, the 2021 champions Mercedes only had about 60 percent of the wind tunnel time that Haas, who finished last, received. Apart from this, they will be fined.
The Red Bull cost-cap saga coming to an end
About a week ago, the news of the FIA’s offer of an accepted breach agreement (ABA) had come out. However, there was a delay in proceedings due to the death of Red Bull’s co-founder, Dietrich Mateschitz. Christian Horner and Mohammed Ben Sulayem were seen together, but the nature of the discussions are not confirmed.
Moreover, a press conference has been called for at 11:30 AM in Mexico (10:00 PM IST), where Red Bull are expected to address this issue, and perhaps accept the terms of the offered ABA. It seems that with their acceptance of this, Formula 1 (and the fans) can finally move on from this saga.
On the sporting side, Red Bull have already sealed both championships this year, and while some felt that the effects of an overspend breach carry over to this year, there is little doubt that their championships are untouchable. They have certainly deserved to win it, and are like to keep it.
Also Read: “FIA is a joke,” F1 fans furious over talks of FIA’s ‘accepted breach agreement’ offer to Red Bull
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)