Verstappen World Champion, Red Bull & FIA Under the Spotlight

Max Verstappen was crowned the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Champion early Sunday morning after another a confusing FIA decision – the second time in as many years.

After the race, Charles Leclerc was given a 5 second time penalty for gaining an advantage after cutting the final chicane, dropping him to third place.  That’s where the confusion started, when the FIA decided to give full points for the red flag plagued race.  Everyone, including Verstappen, was surprised with the FIA’s announcement.  Verstappen was primed to win the World Championship this year anyway, and today’s news has unfortunately overshadowed his second-consecutive Drivers’ Championship.

Monday morning, the FIA officially announced that Red Bull breached Formula 1’s cost cap limit during the 2021 season, and that Aston Martin committed a procedural breach.  The news was not a surprise, as the paddock was full of rumors last week.

The amount that was overspent has not been announced, and neither has the penalty which will be applied.

Should there be point-deductions for last year’s Championship season (and this year)?  Yes, we think there should be.  Especially as FIA Technical Director Ross Brawn made it clear in 2019 after announcing the budget cap, that the new regulations “will have teeth”.  Will there be serious penalties?  That is up for debate, and we don’t think there will be, opening the door for future budget cap sagas, and further (and warranted) scrutiny of the FIA.

It’s unfortunate.  Max has had a dominating 2022 season, and his back-and-forth battle with Lewis Hamilton last year was one for the ages.  But, if Red Bull had spent *only* a few million more dollars, his car has had an unfair advantage.

Stay tuned….