Binotto feels ‘pessimistic’ over budget cap results delay, wants FIA clarity
Ferrari Formula 1 boss Mattia Binotto wants clarity from the FIA over the reasons for delaying the 2021 budget cap results, but admits he feels “pessimistic.”
Rumours emerged in Singapore last week that two teams - Red Bull and Aston Martin - may have breached the $145 million budget cap for 2021 as the FIA prepared to issue compliance certificates on Wednesday.
Both teams stringently denied the allegations, but the FIA’s decision to postpone issuing the certificates until Monday has caused the saga to rumble on across the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies said in Singapore that “maximum penalties” had to be applied for breaches, and called for transparency from F1’s governing body.
Speaking on Sky Italia on Saturday, Ferrari team principal Binotto - who has previously aired concerns about how the cost cap is policed - felt the delay showed there were “points that are unclear and still need to be defined” in the audit.
“There are points which the FIA is contesting and the team is trying to defend itself,” said Binotto.
“Regardless of what comes out, and I fear it will be snow melting in the sun, I think all these decisions, how they have interpreted the regulations, what they have granted - because they will certainly have granted something - it all comes out clearly and transparently.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Binotto said that all parties “need to know what the discussions were” between the FIA and any teams involved not only for the “direct benefit” it could offer, but also to understand how the regulations should be interpreted.
“The rules were clear from the beginning, they were discussed,” said Binotto.
“We don't understand the need to have to change them today beyond the fact that this is the first year with the budget cap.
“Because with the FIA, there have always been constant exchanges and we have always tried to clarify them.
“I am a bit pessimistic about this, but first of all, clarity and transparency from the FIA will be important.”
Red Bull has maintained over the Suzuka weekend that it is satisfied with its submission and remains confident it complied with the financial regulations through last year.
“We were expecting the certificates as well on Wednesday, hoping for them on Wednesday, but that’s obviously been delayed for all of the teams,” Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner said on Sky Sports on Friday.
“The FIA have obviously taken that choice. We wait with interest to see what happens on Monday.
“But again, we feel that we’ve absolutely complied with the cost cap, with the regulations.
“We’re happy with our submission, and await to hear what the feedback is.”
Latifi explains ‘funny’ wrong turn mistake in Suzuka F1 practice
Autosport writers' favourite F1 Japanese Grands Prix
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1? Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin
How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin
Sainz "laughing in the car" as Mercedes repeated DRS trick in F1 Japanese GP
Sainz "laughing in the car" as Mercedes repeated DRS trick in F1 Japanese GP Sainz "laughing in the car" as Mercedes repeated DRS trick in F1 Japanese GP
Are Red Bull and Ferrari on back foot for potential F1 Japanese GP tyre wrecker?
Are Red Bull and Ferrari on back foot for potential F1 Japanese GP tyre wrecker? Are Red Bull and Ferrari on back foot for potential F1 Japanese GP tyre wrecker?
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Sutton “owes Rowbottom a beer” for qualifying teamwork
Sutton “owes Rowbottom a beer” for qualifying teamwork Sutton “owes Rowbottom a beer” for qualifying teamwork
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
MotoGP Indian GP: Full Moto2 and Moto3 race results
MotoGP Indian GP: Full Moto2 and Moto3 race results MotoGP Indian GP: Full Moto2 and Moto3 race results
Gasly 'doesn't understand' Alpine order to swap positions in F1 Japanese GP
Gasly 'doesn't understand' Alpine order to swap positions in F1 Japanese GP Gasly 'doesn't understand' Alpine order to swap positions in F1 Japanese GP
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.