McLaren CEO Zak Brown has responded to the cost cap ruling on Red Bull from the FIA, saying he was "pleased" that there is an outcome but believes "sanctions must be stronger in the future" for teams that break rules. Brown was one of the most vocal figures among teams after Red Bull were found to have committed a minor breach, accusing Red Bull of 'cheating' in a letter sent to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. "We appreciate the cost cap investigation is a complex process which the FIA have conducted in a thorough and transparent manner," he said in a statement. "I'm pleased the truth is out there now and it is the result is as we expected - there was a breach of the cost cap by one team, with the other nine operating in line with the rules. It is therefore only right that punitive action is taken." Red Bull were fined $7 million and must forfeit 10% of its aerodynamic development allowance immediately as part of the settlement, which was agreed this week with the governing body. Speaking in a press conference to media, including RacingNews365.com , Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner believes the penalty will cost the team 'up to half a second per lap' in the future.
FIA must impose "stronger sanctions in future," says Brown
Brown has called on the FIA to issue "stronger sanctions" in future for teams that "wilfully break" the cost cap rules. He added: "If the FIA is to be most effective and its punishments serve as a lesson to others when rules are broken in this way, the sanctions have to be much stronger in the future. 'We hope that the lessons learned through this process will now mean all teams have a clear understanding of the rules in order to avoid any future breaches. "While we are pleased to see them act, we would hope the FIA take stronger action in future against those that wilfully break the rules."
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