The FIA has been urged to tighten up their rules on cost cap breaches and come down hard on those guilty of wrongdoing.
Ex-Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle also criticised the sport’s governing body for failing to publish its findings of the breach by Red Bull from last season or decide on a punishment.
Red Bull were found guilty of a minor breach of last year’s £114m ($145m) budget cap, which could equate to as much as £5.7m (or $7m).
And Brundle told Sky Sports F1: “What seems absolutely crazy to me is that a minor breach can be up to five per cent overspend on the cost cap. That is $7m and we know that is a massive upgrade of a car.
“So, that needs tightening up for starters because what is the point in having $145m and then having this 5% variant? Other teams are saying this gives you a head start into 2022, the car is carried over to 2023 so this is a big advantage.”
Reports emerged at the Singapore Grand Prix two weeks ago that Red Bull might have been guilty of a major breach, of as much as £10m. It is understood that is now more likely between £1 and £2m.
Despite the lower numbers, Brundle called on the FIA to be draconian in its punishment on breaches going forward.
He said: “I am assuming the FIA will have to crack down hard on any minor breaches but it looks like it could be a reprimand or a fine. Will they want to revisit points, will it be manufacturers’ points or drivers’ points for 2021? How hard does the FIA want to be on this?
“It has got to be made clear that you stick to the cost cap or just under it or otherwise it is going to hurt. We’ll see if the FIA want to come down hard on the first year.”
While Red Bull could be docked points, that appears unlikely with a fine or else reprimand seen as the likelier course of action.
For now, the FIA has not decided upon its punishment for Red Bull, another baffling decision in Brundle’s mind.
“We’re talking about the 2021 season not this season,” he added. “It’s thoroughly disappointing that we’ve now had this announcement of what’s happened but we don’t know the consequences.”
