Red Bull team boss Christian Horner states that the Milton Keynes-based squad didn’t breach Formula 1’s budget cap in 2021.
On Friday, reports emerged that suggested Red Bull had overspent the $145 million budget cap that teams were required to operate under last year.
Aston Martin was a second team that was named in the alleged breach.
Teams submitted their accounts to the FIA six months ago, and next week, the governing body is set to declare each team’s certificate, confirming their operation within the new financial regulations.
Punishments for exceeding the spending quota can range from a fine to expulsion from the championship – but speaking to Sky F1, Horner expressed confidence that Red Bull didn’t illegally spend in 2021.
“We’re certainly not aware of any [breach],” he said. “The accounts were submitted back in March, so it’s been a long process with the FIA.
“We’re in that process as we speak. They’re rightly following that process and I think next week is when they declare their certificates.
“Our submission was below the cap, and it’s down to the FIA to follow their process, which they’re currently doing.”
Horner suggested that the fresh nature of the cost cap will bring initial hurdles before the system is ironed out in seasons going forward.
“Inevitably, it’s a brand new set of regulations and a set of very complicated regulations. How the rules are interpreted and applied are going to be subjective between the teams. I’m sure as years go by, things will get tidied up.
“We’re confident in our submission. The FIA are in a process. There’s always going to be rumours, I’ve heard of major breaches and whatever – I’m certainly not aware of that.”
Horner added that the FIA was even issuing clarifications regarding the budget cap after the teams had lodged their accounts earlier this year.
“This is the first time this has ever happened. We do our due diligence, we get audited anyway, it’s a similar process to that, working with an auditor.
“It’s slightly bespoke to F1. Clarifications have been coming even after the submissions were made.
“You can see how immature the process is, but the FIA has been working hard on it and doing the best they can.
“Every team, theoretically is subject to it. They would’ve looked at every team’s submitted accounts.
“They’re following a process and that conclusion date has been moved from July to September, and now to October.
“It’s a big job, a lot for them to get through. We’re confident in our submissions, so anything other than that, we’ll wait to hear from the FIA.”
