Red Bull Overspent Formula 1's 2021 Cost Cap

Just one day after Max Verstappen was crowned world champion in confusing circumstances, the FIA has announced that the Red Bull Formula 1 team breached the cost cap for the 2021 season. A budget of $145 million for F1 teams—excepting marketing costs and the salaries of drivers and the three highest paid members of the team—was put in place for the 2021 season to both even the playing field and help teams cope with the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Per F1 journalist Chris Medland, the FIA said that Red Bull committed a "minor overspend" breach, which is less than 5 percent of the cost cap.

Red Bull was the only of Formula 1's ten teams to breach the $145 million limit for last season, though the FIA did say that Aston Martin committed a "procedural breach" of some sort. The FIA has not announced what, if any, penalties Red Bull and Aston Martin will face. "The FIA Cost Cap Administration is currently determining the appropriate course of action to be taken under the Financial Regulations with respect to Aston Martin and Red Bull and further information will be communicated in compliance with the Regulations," said the FIA in a statement.

It's a bigger deal for Red Bull, of course, because Max Verstappen won the driver's title last year, and the team came second to Mercedes in constructor's standings. Motorsport.com notes that penalties for Red Bull could include a public reprimand, a fine, reduction in aerodynamic testing, exclusion from some events—like practice and qualifying sessions—and deductions in driver's/constructor's points. It seems very unlikely, though, that Verstappen could lose either of his two championships, or that Red Bull will lose the constructor's title that they will almost assuredly win this year.