FIA delays F1 cost cap findingsposted in F105 | 10 | 2022

THE FIA HAS CONFIRMED it will delay the release of the log-awaited and much anticipated Formula 1 cost cap certificates until next Monday (Oct 10) following this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, writes Jim McGill.

Today’s announcement came as speculation continues to surround two teams — Red Bull and Aston Martin — which may have breached the $145 million cost cap for 2021.

The FIA had been set to issue compliance certificates today to teams which had stayed within the $145m limit following a full audit. But in a statement issued late in the afternoon, the FIA stated the certificates would now not be released until next week.

“The FIA informs that the conclusion of the analysis of the 2021 financial submissions of the Formula 1 teams and the subsequent release of Certificates of Compliance to the Financial Regulations will not take place on Wednesday, 5 October,” the statement read.

“The analysis of financial submissions is a long and complex process that is ongoing and will be concluded to enable the release of the Certificates on Monday, 10 October.”

Any team is found to have exceeded the budget cap by less than 5% — around $7m in 2021 — would be considered to have made a minor breach, with sanctions ranging from a reprimand to points deductions.

However, a breach above the 5% mark will be considered a material breach. This could result in exclusion from the championship, points deductions, cost cap reductions or testing limitations.

So it’s worth highlighting today’s statement from the FIA again noted “significant and unsubstantiated speculation and conjecture” concerning the budget cap.

“The FIA reiterates that until it is finalised, no further information will be provided,” the statement continued. “The FIA also reiterates that any suggestion that FIA personnel have disclosed sensitive information is equally baseless.”

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Jim McGill