Formula One’s 2024 financial report is running late, and that delay has the paddock on edge.
Sauber boss Jonathan Wheatley fanned the flames on Friday, hinting that at least one team may have overspent under the sport’s strict cost cap.
“The delay in announcing made it very clear… there were some teams in trouble,” he said at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Wheatley added that not all breaches are intentional — “these things happen,” he said — especially when unpredictable expenses like car crashes blow up budgets.
FIA Silent, Teams Urge Calm
The FIA has yet to publish its annual compliance report, which usually lands much earlier in the year. That silence has only fueled rumors that a big-name team might have crossed the line.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur
urged caution, saying, “It’s not a big deal if the decision comes in September or October. We have to trust the FIA — it’s not an easy job.”
Vasseur also noted that not all violations are equal: “We have to separate sporting advantage from technical or administrative issues.”
Aston Martin Admits Minor Breach: One Rival Under Fire
According to reports from PlanetF1.com, Aston Martin has accepted a minor procedural breach of last year’s cost cap. The issue reportedly came down to a missing auditor’s signature — a paperwork error rather than overspending — with no fine or penalty expected.
But the real drama centres on another unnamed team. Multiple sources suggest a “substantial” breach occurred, meaning one squad may have blown past the roughly $165 million cap (after adjustments for inflation).
That’s no small matter; just ask Red Bull, which in 2021 overspent by 1.6%, earning a $7 million fine and a 10% reduction in wind tunnel time.
A similar penalty this time could have serious implications for championship contenders.
FIA: Announcement Coming ‘Shortly’
In a statement to PlanetF1.com, the FIA said its Cost Cap Administration is “finalizing the review” of all 2024 team and power unit submissions. The results, it added, will be made public once every assessment is complete.
(with inputs from agencies)
