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Ferrari

Ferrari weighs in on cost cap controversy

Main rivals Red Bull among teams that are rumoured to have broken the $145 million USD cost cap in 2021.

Sainz Singapore
Article
To news overview © XPBimages

Ferrari Sporting Director Laurent Mekies expects "decisive action" from the FIA if teams break the cost cap.

Both Red Bull and Aston Martin are rumoured to have broken the $145 million USD cost cap set for teams for the 2021 season, with the FIA set to reveal each teams finances in the coming weeks after audits.

The FIA issued two statements late last night, the second doubling down on their original one regarding the "unsubstantiated speculation and conjecture" relating to the story.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has called any breach of the Formula 1 cost cap regulations a "heavyweight" offence, now Mekies has said there should be "far-reaching consequences" if any team breaches it.

"It is a very serious matter and we therefore expect a strict policy and full transparency from the FIA, the body that we trust 100%," said Mekies to Sky Sport Italia.

"If it is true, this will have far-reaching consequences. We take this matter very seriously and we expect decisive action from the FIA.

"However, in recent months the FIA ​​has manifested itself strongly, so we rely completely on the FIA.

"We want a transparent competition with rules that are the same for everyone."

Mekies: Important to "determine the extent" cost cap was exceeded

Mekies says it is important to "determine the extent" the cost cap was exceeded before issuing any sort of penalty.

He added: "The most important thing now is to determine to what extent the budget cap would have been exceeded and what the consequences would have been for 2021, 2022 and 2023.

"But whether the cap has been exceeded must be monitored most strictly."

The ramifications for exceeding the budget cap are split into two categories: minor and major.

Exceeding Cost Cap Penalties

Minor (Overspend of less than 5%) Major (Overspend of more than 5%)
Deduction of Drivers' & Constructors' Championship points Deduction of Drivers' & Constructors' Championship points
Suspension from one or more stages of a competition Suspension from one or more stages of a competition
Limitations on ability to conduct aerodynamic or other testing Suspension from an entire competition
Reduction of the Cost Cap Exclusion from the Championship
Reduction of the Cost Cap

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