With little excitement on the track amid Max Verstappen’s sustained dominance, intrigue shifted to the offices of the FIA in the United States. In 2021, when the budget cap took effect, several teams still contested it, including Red Bull and Aston Martin, whose lineup for 2023 featured Fernando Alonso. If any team is found to have surpassed the cap, which stood at 147 million euros last season, they could face a substantial fine or a reduction of funding for the following year.
As the FIA prepares to announce its ruling next Monday, a chilly atmosphere settles the Suzuka paddock, with team representatives and drivers expressing their own cautioned views. On Thursday, Lewis Hamilton revisited his debate with Verstappen about the outcome of the 2021 World Championship: We brought our latest updates to Silverstone last year; Red Bull brought them every race and they’ve introduced new parts up to four races since Silverstone. If Mercedes could spend 300,000 euros on a new floor or an adjusted wing, it could alter everything. I hope that isn’t the case, the Brit commented.
Verstappen then faced the press, saying, we have reason to believe we did everything right. That’s what they told me, and we’ll see what happens on Monday. This is a matter between the FIA and the team. I’m here to push hard and achieve the best possible result.
The FIA’s decision, initially slated for October 5, was delayed to Monday, October 10. We have observed significant speculation and unfounded assumptions on this topic. The evaluation is ongoing, and the process will proceed regardless of external discussions, the governing body stated.
McLaren chief Zak Brown has emerged as a spokesperson for teams feeling aggrieved if an opponent is confirmed to have breached the spending rules. Budget cap compliance is crucial, and penalties should be applied firmly if violations occur, he argued. If rules are broken, penalties must be both financial and sporting, to prevent any unfair advantage on track. The response must be swift.
Mercedes and Ferrari suggest even a minor breach, defined as under five percent of the ceiling, could shave three to five tenths of a second per lap. We’re talking half a second in some cases, and that advantage can carry into future seasons, since the cap began in 2021 and continues to influence 2022 and 2023, explained the Scuderia team principal. Mattia Binotto emphasized that standards must be exemplary, noting that reliability is at stake and penalties must reflect the gravity of the breach.
Some observers warn that delaying Verstappen’s potential title victory could destabilize the field. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, reminded everyone that large manufacturers like Mercedes or Ferrari have numerous ways to mask spending. For now, the graphic sprint toward the 2022 championship remains unsettled, with rivals particularly Ferrari wondering how Milton Keynes’ squad managed to maintain performance without exceeding the cap this year and still push Verstappen toward a dominant resurgence in the championship after the midseason improvements.