F1: FIA leak bigger scandal than Red Bull's minor budget cap breach

Former Dutch racing driver Allard Kalff believes the ‘leak’ from the FIA that Red Bull were in breach of last year’s budget cap is even more ‘outrageous’ than the violation itself. Ahead of the FIA publishing their auditing findings for last year’s $145million spending cap, reports emerged that Red Bull had overspent by around $11m.

It was eventually confirmed by the FIA that Red Bull had, in fact, breached last year’s budget cap, although the figure was far less than the reported $11m. The FIA did not specify the amount, but reports indicated it was closer to $2m.

Some think one of these two are Toto Wolff moles in the FIA – Attorney Shaila-Ann Rao and President Mohammed ben-Sulayem who came out of nowhere to get the President position when Jean Todt retired

Red Bull responded with a statement that they were “surprised and disappointed” at the findings. But despite the minor discrepancy, rival team bosses still want to see Red Bull severely punished.

Max Verstappen’s title from 2021 looks safe with a fine the most likely punishment. However, Kalff feels the biggest crime falls at the feet of the FIA for allowing the news to leak before the official report was released.

“The only thing I find very scandalous is that apparently people knew it was Aston Martin and Red Bull,” he told Racing News. “Somewhere someone has leaked. I think that is even more outrageous than the fact that there is now a discussion about whether or not too much money has been spent.

“In the sense of: ‘we had a discussion, and they may or may not have been punished’, that’s fine, but it shouldn’t be more transparent than that. Who benefits from that? If you already look at what nonsense is being shouted.