After the scandal linked to the exceeding of the budget cap for the 2021 Formula One season by Red Bull, which was resolved with a penalty imposed on the Austrian side by the FIA, a new controversy could soon hit Formula 1 again. Former Ferrari boss and current Formula 1 chief executive officer, Stefano Domenicali, did not hide a certain nervousness regarding the outcome of the 2022 budget cap assessments, while Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes that as many as 6 teams may have breached the cap.
Speaking with Sky Sports, the CEO of Formula 1 did not hide a certain concern in discovering the outcome of the financial balance sheets regarding the 2022 budget cap in a few months, which instead caused much discussion during the previous season. Stefano Domenicali also pointed out that the review should be carried out in a shorter time.
“I’m more than nervous. I’m pretty sure that now everyone understands what the effects of a breach are and I absolutely agree that the focus on this aspect will be very big. I think it’s a point of attention especially for credibility and to check if everyone respects this rule. But it has to be done sooner rather than later.” – the former Ferrari boss explained.
Last season, rumors of a possible breach by the teams only surfaced in October. The FIA finally confirmed that it was Red Bull. It was not until the end of the same month that the matter was resolved, with the Anglo-Austrian team signing an accepted infringement agreement with the FIA.
Stefano Domenicali also adds: “We are discussing, and this is up to the FIA, to ensure that the inspection and certification take place much faster. Because the consequences, if some teams exceed it, must be taken correctly and in the shortest possible time to be more credible. We see other sports facing financial regulation with, in my view, too long reaction times. And that’s not good.”
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“The risk for 2022 is that there are six teams that did not respect the limit,” said the Formula 1 CEO – “Energy prices have been exponential, but fortunately we have been protected from this problem. But there is a possibility that several teams, many of which have said so during F1 commission meetings, will breach the cap this year.” – he added.
Red Bull’s Helmut Marko also pointed out that “I think currently six teams have exceeded the limit. Inflation is something that couldn’t be taken into account up to this point, especially with regards to energy costs.” Furthermore, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hopes that the budgets will be reviewed (and approved) well in advance: “I hope before October. June, July, I think is a realistic goal”.
If the statements of the two Red Bull leaders were confirmed, it would not be at all positive news for Formula 1. The penalty imposed on the Austrian team was judged too soft by many Formula 1 insiders, with several weeks of controversy that followed. Stefano Domenicali & Co cannot afford another scandal, even more so if it really involved so many teams.
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