FIA confirm two breaches in latest F1 cost cap review
All 10 Formula 1 teams were within cost cap limits for the 2023 accounting period, but Alpine and Honda made procedural power unit regulation breaches, the FIA has announced.
As is the norm under the new financial regulations, all grand prix teams submit their accounts to the governing body for inspection to ensure that the spending limit imposed on teams has not been broken.
For the 2023 season, the basic limit was $135 million but this was based on 21 grands prix, with 23 races actually being held. As such teams are allowed to spend an additional $1.8 million per race beyond the figure of 21, meaning the basic limit was $138.6 million for the season.
It is the second year in succession that every team has met all the requirements and kept within the spending limits after Red Bull was found to have overspent in the 2021 season, eventually accepting a fine and docked development time.
However, for the first time, the power unit manufacturers have also been bound by a set of spending restrictions, with the FIA finding Alpine Racing SAS and Honda Racing Corporation to have made procedural breaches of the rules.
Neither manufacturer exceeded the spending limit in place.
FIA statement
“Both Alpine Racing SAS and HRC have acted at all times in good faith and are currently cooperating with the CCA to finalise the matter,” read an FIA statement.
“Considering the nature of the breach, the complexities of the new Financial Regulations for PU manufacturers and the challenges associated with their first year of implementation it is the CCA’s intention to propose to these two PU Manufacturers to settle their respective breaches by means of an Accepted Breach Agreement (ABA).
“A summary of the ABAs, if accepted by these two PU manufacturers, will be published once finalised as provided for by the financial regulations.
