Motor racing-Red Bull to pay $7 million fine for cost cap breach

MEXICO CITY -Formula One champions Red Bull have been fined $7 million for breaching the sport's budget cap last season and will be allowed 10 per cent less wind tunnel time over the next year, the governing FIA said on Friday.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) added in a statement ahead of this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix that the decision, accepted by Red Bull, was final and not subject to appeal.

The outcome meant Red Bull's titles were safe. The team have won the 2021 and 2022 drivers' championships with Max Verstappen as well as this year's constructors' crown, their first since 2013.

The FIA said the British-based team had exceeded the cap by 1.864 million pounds ($2.15 million) but the sum would have been 432,652 pounds had they correctly applied a UK notional tax credit.

Formula One introduced the cap last year to rein in runaway spending and level the playing field, with the total reduced from $145 to $140 million this year. It is due to be $135 million next season.

The FIA announced on Oct. 10 that Red Bull had a 'minor overspend' and also committed a 'procedural breach'.

Aston Martin, owned by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, were also considered to have committed a procedural breach with details also expected on Friday.

The FIA's Cost Cap Administration recognised that Red Bull Racing (RBR) had acted cooperatively throughout the review process, providing additional information and evidence when requested.

"There is no accusation or evidence that RBR has sought at any time to act in bad faith, dishonestly or in fraudulent manner, nor has it wilfully concealed any information from the Cost Cap Administration," it added.

The wind tunnel penalty will hurt Red Bull more than the fine, which will hardly