‘We need transparency’: Lewis Hamilton tells F1 to be tough on budget cap

Lewis Hamilton has insisted the FIA must act decisively and with appropriate tough measure if any teams are found to have broken Formula One’s budget cap regulations. The seven-times champion said the integrity of the sport was at stake and pointedly noted how last season his Mercedes rivals Red Bull appeared to be spending heavily on upgrading their car.

At last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix unproven allegations emerged that Red Bull had exceeded the £114m budget cap set for 2021. The team strenuously denied that they had breached the budget with the FIA currently assessing all the teams’ financial submissions for compliance with the cap. On Wednesday they were due to announce their conclusions but instead issued a statement declaring that their judgment had yet to be reached and would be delayed until Monday.

The FIA can impose punishments on teams found to be in breach of the rules, including a deduction of points or exclusion from the championship, either of which could impact the result of last year’s title race, narrowly won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen over Hamilton.

Speaking before this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, the British driver said any team found guilty should be punished appropriately.

“I think it’s imperative, honestly, just for transparency,” he said. “I think we need to continue to have transparency for the fans, for the integrity of the sport.”

Hamilton also said the FIA’s delay in announcing their findings indicated that the governing body understood the import of the decision they were making.,

“I would like to think that if it’s been delayed it’s because it’s been taken very seriously” he said. “I trust that Mohammed [ben Sulayem, FIA president] is taking it seriously and will do what is right