Ferrari race director Laurent Mekies says the FIA’s investigation into every Formula 1 team’s expenses under the cost cap will be a “vital test” for the financial regulations.
Last weekend, reports emerged that suggested two teams had breached last year’s budget cap that was set at $145 million.
Red Bull was one of the parties named in the report, however team boss Christian Horner says he is confident that Red Bull operated within the quota.
The FIA can impose a range of penalties if a team is deemed guilty of exceeding the budget cap, spanning from a fine to championship exclusion.
Teams are set to receive certificates of compliance this week as the FIA concludes its analysis of 2021 expenditures, and Ferrari says that the upcoming report marks a significant moment for the budget cap.
“It is a very vital test for the cost cap,” Mekies said. “And, as we said, if we don’t pass that test, it’s probably game over, because the implications are huge.
“Should we talk about penalties now? Probably not. I know, it’s probably what the people in the grandstands want to see and we respect that.
“But in fact, we are, we are much earlier in the process than that, and probably an even more key aspect of it, is there a breach? Do we agree on the entity of the breach and that, as a result, confirm the rule everybody is obeying?
“I think what is very much crucial now is that the FIA fully enforce rules as they are written now. And then after the penalties are a different matter.”
The cost cap was introduced last year to decrease the spending differentials throughout the grid, bidding to create a more even playing field going forward.
However, the findings of the disbursements are not issued until almost a year after the championship has finished, which Mekies admits is a negative aspect of the regulation.
“I think we know it’s one of the downside of these regulations but as we are seeing, we also know that there is more benefits and downsides in these regulations,” he said.
“And perhaps there is also an even more important matter in it: is that which advantage are you carrying forward to the following championships? Which is probably the first one we want to answer to.
“So if there was a breach in 2021, what advantage is being carried out to 2022? And to 2023? And then after you can discuss the timing of the penalty, and how do you make the penalty meaningful?”
