Formula 1 introduced a new budget cap allowing teams to spend till a certain amount on car upgrades and other expenses. This was done to bring equality in racing and promote more competitive racing. Any team violating the budget cap will be penalized or fined, depending on the extent of the violation.
One of the teams rumored to have violated the spending cap is Red Bull, however, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner strongly denied any claims pointing towards Red Bull committing any spending violation. 2021 World Champion Max Verstappen also said that he is confident that his team did not violate anything.Â
Mercedes driver and seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton was in doubt about Red Bull’s 2021 upgrades and is under the belief that if Mercedes had matched those upgrades, the outcome of the championship would be different. Hamilton was not accusing Red Bull of overspending but he admitted that it continuously struck his mind over the course of last season.Â
The seven-time champion also said that Mercedes had their last upgrade of last season at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, and that it was a great upgrade. He mentioned that after that, Red Bull were seen bringing in new upgrades almost every weekend, and in total, they got at least 4 more upgrades post Silverstone.
Hamilton said that if there are any violations, he has faith in the FIA and that president Mohammed Ben Sulayem will take appropriate action against the offenders.
Max Verstappen is on course to clinch his second consecutive world title and has his first realistic opportunity at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend at the Suzuka Circuit, but he is not worried about any of the outcomes of the investigation being conducted by the FIA as he is assured that his team did not commit any violations.
The FIA has delayed their investigation outcomes from Wednesday to Monday, as they said it is a rigorous process and more time is required for complete investigation.
