Toto Wolff to be proved wrong as cost cap row deadline looms

Toto Wolff’s claims that Red Bull were “massively over” the 2021 cost cap will be proved wrong, Sky have reported.
Toto Wolff (GER) Mercedes
Toto Wolff (GER) Mercedes

The FIA are due to rule on the cost cap row - where Red Bull have been accused of overspending the $145m limit as Max Verstappen won his first title - on Monday.

Sky report that two senior F1 figures say that there is no guarantee any team will be found in breach of the rules, and any potential breach is “only minor”.

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The same sources correctly predicted that the FIA ruling, due last Wednesday, would be delayed.

The FIA will award certificates of compliance to teams that have obeyed the cost cap rule.

If any teams are found in breach, they would defend their case in front of Cost Cap Adjudicatory Panel, which consists of six judges.

However, if any of the 10 F1 teams are not happy with the FIA’s judgement on Monday, there is no room to appeal.

What is Mercedes’ claim?

Toto Wolff (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 Shareholder and Executive Director. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 14, Dutch Grand
Toto Wolff (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 Shareholder and Executive Director…

Team principal Wolff claimed about Red Bull: “It’s weeks and months that they are being investigated. Maybe [Christian Horner] doesn’t speak to his Chief Financial Officer.

“All of us have been investigated diligently and as far as we understand, there’s a team in [a] minor breach which is more procedural and another team that is fundamentally massively over. 

"That is being looked after, that’s an open secret in the paddock.”

What is Red Bull’s claim?

Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal on the grid. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand
Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal on the grid. Formula…

Team principal Horner insists they were within the cost cap and fumed: “The amount of noise that's been around other topics, one can only think it’s designed to be a bit of a distraction [from Verstappen’s inevitable 2022 title win]. We’re very happy with where we are, with where our submission for the cap is and all focus is on this weekend.”

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