The FIA has weighed in after Zak Brown called for cost cap penalties over unfounded team complaints, following Red Bull’s scrutiny of McLaren after the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri led home a 1-2 for the Woking-based squad as the papaya duo were more than 37 seconds clear of third place George Russell in Miami.
However, after the race, Red Bull continued to express concern for the legality of the MCL39, specifically with its supreme ability to cool the tyres.
During last season, reports accused McLaren of injecting small amounts of water into the tyres to help with the tyre temperature.
In response, Brown appeared drinking from a bottle labelled ‘tire water’ on television in Miami, “poking fun at a serious issue”.
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner hit back with a cheeky reply of his own, offering to send his rival a Red Bull drink on the pitwall if he “needs energising”.
But the American quickly called for serious action to be taken against the “bogus allegations” thrown around in F1, suggesting a £25,000 fine to be taken out of a team’s cost cap for unfounded allegations made.
The governing body’s president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has since given his support for the McLaren CEO’s idea, but proposed to double the amount of the fine.
“You cannot just accuse someone without a written complaint, and that protest, you have to pay money,” he told AP.
His comments on the matter arrived after he complained that the cost cap has been ‘a headache’ and that he could remove the rule in its entirety.
Ben Sulayem faces crucial decisions ahead of FIA presidency campaign
It has been a busy week for the governing body, with the Red Bull and McLaren ongoing squabble, cost cap debate and the saga surrounding the driver code of conduct policy.
On the latter, Ben Sulayem confirmed that he would not be changing his stance on profanity, stating the ban would remain.
GPDA director Russell called for action rather than words when it came to addressing the punishments handed out to drivers for swearing in official FIA press conferences.
But it seems Ben Sulayem will not back down on this matter, as he revealed the clarification on the policy will be given soon.
Attention for the former rally driver will soon turn to the upcoming FIA presidency, as the FIA General Assembly takes place on 12 December this year.
Recent reports have emerged that Carlos Sainz Sr could be a potential rival to Ben Sulayem for the candidacy.
However, the FIA has yet to announce the deadline for nominations, giving the 63-year-old time to focus on the key decisions he needs to make, which could be crucial to securing another term.
His tenure in charge of the governing body has been marred by controversy, and his relationship with the drivers has taken a turn for the worse since the end of last season.
READ MORE – Christian Horner and Zak Brown trade blows in McLaren F1 legality debate
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