Fred Vasseur calls for faster and tougher sanctions on future budget cap infringements

Fred Vasseur calls for faster and tougher sanctions on future budget cap infringements. Fred Vasseur on future budget cap infringements.

New Scuderia Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur believes faster and stricter action and sanctions are needed for future budget cap violations after the Red Bull controversy last season. In the first year of Formula 1’s new financial regulations in 2021, Red Bull was found guilty of exceeding the $145 million budget limit by 1.6%, resulting in a $7 million fine and a 10% reduction in the team’s aerodynamic development for 12 months.

The fine has drawn mixed reactions from the Formula 1 paddock. While Red Bull described the penalty as being too harsh, Scuderia Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies said the penalty was clearly only a slap on the wrist. In an interview from a few weeks ago, before the confirmation of his move to Scuderia Ferrari was official, outgoing Alfa Romeo F1 boss Frederic Vasseur called the budget cap rules cap “by far the best regulation we have ever introduced in Formula 1” – the French manager said.

“We have to find a way to get an early warning or to be able to act much sooner. And we probably need to be a little stricter about the decision. Okay, maybe this was the first time, but we have to forget about that from now on. Because for me, two or three million is not a minor limit, it’s a big one, especially for the development of a single-seater. I think we need to be much tougher and much quicker in action.” – new Scuderia Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur pointed out.

Frederic Vasseur also praised FIA financial regulations chief Federico Lodi and his team for their work of overseeing the budget cap in the first year. “I would say that the administration and Federico Lodi have done a great job. We must not forget that.” – the French manager concluded.