Honda fined $600,000, Alpine $400,000 for cost cap breaches · RaceFans

The FIA has fined Honda and Alpine for their breaches of Formula 1’s power unit cost cap.

The two engine manufacturers were found to have committed procedural breaches and did not exceed the spending limit.

Honda Racing Corporation, whose power units are used by Red Bull and RB, were found to have “included incorrect excluded and/or adjusted costs in the calculation of its relevant costs” towards the cap. They included costs relating to dynamometer maintenance and inventories.

Alpine “submitted reporting documentation in respect of the 2023 Reporting Period that was inaccurate by omitting relevant information,” according to the FIA’s Cost Cap Administration panel. They agreed their assessment report contained “significant deficiencies” as “several required procedures had not been performed at all, and several other procedures had only been partially completed.”

Honda was fined $600,000 (£460,000) while Alpine was ordered to pay $400,000 (£307,000). Both have 30 days to pay their fines.

The CCA panel praised both manufacturers for their compliance with the cost cap protocol. It stated they had “acted cooperatively and in a spirit of good faith throughout the review process and has sought to provide additional information and evidence when requested in a timely manner.”

It added there was “no accusation or evidence” that either manufacturer “sought at any time to act in bad faith, dishonestly or in a fraudulent manner, nor that it wilfully concealed any information from
the Cost Cap Administration.” Nor is there any evidence either “gained or sought to gain any advantage in committing the breach,” it added.

The FIA introduced cost caps for power unit manufacturers last year. Teams have been bound by cost caps since 2021. Three were found in violation during that first year: Red Bull exceeded the spend limit while Aston Martin and Williams committed procedural breaches. All teams were judged in compliance with the rules this year.

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