If The Penalty Is A Slap On The Wrist, F1 May Not Have A Spending Limit'

The FIA has urged stricter enforcement of its financial rules after Lewis Hamilton declared Red Bull in breach last year.

The sport’s governing body last week confirmed that Red Bull had breached the $145 million spending limit and breached “procedural” rules. The FIA can impose penalties including fines, confiscation of points and the reduction of Red Bull’s air traffic test and future spending limits.

In the year Hamilton, who lost the drivers’ championship in 2021 to Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, is not thinking about last year’s form changing.

“I heard what was said [but] Overall, I’m looking at how I can win another championship,” he said. “I have my own opinion about what we did as a team and how we did last year and I’m proud of that and I believe in what we achieved. It really doesn’t change a huge amount.”

However, the FIA said it should set an example to ensure teams adhere to the spending limit. “I think the sport should do something about this in the future,” he said. Otherwise, if these rules are relaxed, all teams will also pass and spend millions more.

“At the end of the day, if it’s a slap on the wrist, it’s obviously not good for the sport. They may not have spending limits in the future.

Hamilton says F1’s “integrity” is at stake, but I’m sure FIA president Mohamed Ben Suleiman will handle the controversy properly.

“I believe Mohammed and his team will make the right decisions,” he said. “I have to believe that. Naturally, I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Otherwise, I just focus on doing the best job I can.”

“I don’t give any energy,” he added. “I’m focused on trying to join the team and trying to get this car around and generally working on the things I can control.”

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