When it comes to budget overruns, Ferrari wants full transparency and maximum possible penalties from the FIA – change of result no taboo
Ferrari demands full transparency and absolute severity from the FIA when it comes to the issue of the budget limit. This has been in the focus of the Formula One public since Friday, because two teams are suspected of having spent more money than allowed in 2021 – one a little more, the other significantly more.
The FIA has not yet commented on which teams are involved, but the finger is being pointed at Aston Martin and Red Bull in the paddock. The latter in particular have been pilloried for allegedly gaining an advantage by spending significantly more.
“It is now no secret that two teams have breached the 2021 budget cap, one to a significant extent, the other to a lesser extent,” Ferrari’s sporting director Laurent Mekies told ‘Sky Italia’. “We consider this something very serious and we expect the FIA to handle the situation in an exemplary way. “
Ferrari expects “total transparency” on such a serious matter and that “the biggest possible penalties” will be imposed “to make sure we are all racing under the same rules, because the impact on the performance of the cars is huge”, Mekies said.
He stresses: “We have 100 per cent confidence in the FIA. It has taken a very strong position on other issues in recent weeks and months.”
For some, the statements may seem curious, as the opposite was true for the Scuderia before the 2020 season: when it came to allegations of cheating on Ferrari’s engines in the 2019 season, the team had struck a secret deal with the FIA, the implications of which are still unknown. For many at the time, the Reds also got off too lightly.
Ferrari wants clarification on what is allowed
But as far as possible budget overruns are concerned, Ferrari pleads for absolute toughness and clear limits. Regardless of a possible penalty, however, Mekies believes it is important that the FIA establishes in the first place that there has been an infringement, because then the teams will have a clue.
“Once that happens, at least we have confirmation that these are the rules that everyone has to abide by,” he says.
“And after that, the issue of penalties can be discussed in the light of the impact of the extra spending in 2021, 2022 and then also for 2023, because at this stage and at the stage of the season we are in, obviously there are implications for next season.”
Should Red Bull be found guilty by the FIA, a whole range of penalties are conceivable – up to and including stripping Max Verstappen of his 2021 world championship title. However, it is considered unlikely that the FIA will touch the controversial season finale again.
Mekies: Real penalties are important
Mekies says: “We understand that it might be a problem for Formula One fans to reconsider the results of the past.”
“But it’s very important for us that the rules are respected and are real rules and that when they are broken, real penalties have to be imposed. And if not retroactively for past violations, then at least for the future. “
Official details on whether one or more teams have breached the budget limit are not expected until next week, when the results are due to be published and teams will receive a certificate.
Until then, the FIA is keeping a low profile: “The FIA notes that there is considerable and unfounded speculation and conjecture on this matter and reiterates that the investigation is ongoing and due process will be followed without regard to external discussions. “
