All the teams in Formula 1 have a limit to their budgets which is called the cost cap, which is to be strictly followed. The teams have to make sure that the car that they create for the races does not exceed this budget. As of now, the cost cap for the teams to make a Formula 1 car is $140 million.
In recent reports, it had been said that two or three teams had breached the cost cap. This can result in the car being disqualified for the races. While the reports of the cost cap breach went in circles, the CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali announced that the punishment would be sporting penalties.
🚨 | RUMOUR: Three teams may have breached the cost cap this year, as per https://t.co/2MofTttxjR
Stefano Domenicali has said that any teams breaching the cap should face sporting penalties, instead of a financial one.
Who do you think broke the cost cap in 2022 🤔? pic.twitter.com/mAFrs6Vj8o
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) July 18, 2023
One of the examples of these sporting penalties was the reduced wind tunnel time given to Red Bull after they had overspent by a fraction. After the recent news, it was reported that at least three teams may not be receiving the green signal for their cars due to cost cap breaches. But turns out it was a false report.
Have any F1 teams breached the 2023 cost cap?
After the reports of the breach hit on the headlines, FIA had not put out a word on it. Although FIA finally responded to the reports of two to three teams breaching the cost cap. Slater, the reporter for Sky Sports reached out to Stefano himself after the reports. He said,
“Motorsport Italy and also Auto Motor und Sport in Germany, slightly different reports in both cases. The Italian publication said that three teams are in breach of the cost cap. And Auto Motor und Sport in Germany talking about two teams being in breach.”
🚨 BREAKING: The FIA says the reports of AMuS and Motorsport Italy about some teams breaching the cost cap are FALSE ❌
Earlier reports of AMuS and Motorsport Italy said 2 to 3 teams have breached the cost cap
Craig Slater of Skysports says he has contacted the FIA in regards… pic.twitter.com/qp40n2rjcS
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) July 19, 2023
Slater went on to confirm with Domenicali himself and reported by saying, “I’ve contacted the FIA about this they’ve said the reports are factually wrong.”
He also debunked the reports of the breach by saying that the audit is still in process. Slater mentioned the audit would not be concluding until a few weeks according to Domenicali. FIA is also said to conduct in-depth investigations on the cars and the teams, in order to make sure no other projects are being used to cover up developments on the car. The CEO, Domenicali, has confirmed that so far no budget breach has been found.