It was the big topic at the race in Singapore: has Red Bull exceeded the budget limit introduced in 2021? If so, there is even a risk of Max Verstappen losing the world title. The FIA explains itself on Wednesday.
While Max Verstappen is preparing for another chance at the world championship in Japan after the messed-up race in Singapore, a new dispute is smoldering in Formula 1. It’s about millions, about possible budget fraud by Red Bull, and it’s about Max Verstappen’s only world championship title so far.
While the team bosses take a stance and give accusatory interviews, at some point on the race weekend in Singapore the star driver himself got involved in this dispute, which could become quite important. “I know where that came from‘ said Verstappen: “The other teams are talking about it, but they don’t have any information. I think it’s a bit stupid. Just shut up.”
FIA publishes results of budget reviews
And the others are now also keeping their mouths shut, but probably only until the middle of this week: then the world association FIA wants to publish the results of its budget reviews, including any sanctions. A real earthquake for Formula 1 seems at least possible.
And that’s what it’s all about: since 2021, for the first time in history, there has been an upper budget limit in order to equalize opportunities in the field. Reports surfaced ahead of the Singapore race that two teams had exceeded that limit. One of them is clear, it is said to be Red Bull. In 2021 of all times, Verstappen narrowly won the title in the controversial race in Abu Dhabi.
Ferrari and Mercedes make the topic big
The other racing teams, especially Red Bull’s rivals, did a lot to make the topic bigger. Head of Mercedes Motorsport Toto Wolff and Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto met in the paddock in a rare unity, then shook hands in publicity. Their statements were similar. “Transparency” is now needed, the FIA must prove its ability to act and lead.
Red Bull Racing was indignant. One is “100 percent” convinced that the budget cap of almost 150 million dollars has not been exceeded. Team boss Christian Horner accuses the competition of having leaked information to the media. “How on earth do they want to have such knowledge”said Horner: “The FIA hasn’t announced anything, they’re not even done.” Subsequently, legal steps will also be examined “This is absolutely defamatory.”
Is the 2021 world title in question?
Then there was some calm. Let’s wait for the results, was the tenor – there was enough attention by now anyway. The excitement on both sides is understandable.
Red Bull is still in contact with the FIA, there are simply no results yet. And in the many companies that contribute to Red Bull’s Formula 1 project, there are undoubtedly many people who have nothing to do directly with the racing team.
However, if there had been a clear overrun, then the World Cup result from last season would be in question. Verstappen had prevailed against Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes with a lead of just eight points. A few million can certainly bring a development advantage.
“Ensure that the budget cap is not invalidated”
And because there is always development for the next few years, an offense would even have an impact on the current season and, in turn, on the coming one. “Actually, it’s about a chain”, says Wolff. Whatever comes out this week, it should keep Formula 1 busy. And while the big ones talk so much, precise control of the budget rules is particularly important for the smaller teams.
“We have to make sure that the budget cap is not devalued”says Günther Steiner from Mick Schumacher’s Haas racing team: “He made Formula 1 a better sport.” First of all, however: “Innocent until proven guilty.”