Valtteri Bottas has called on the FIA to dish out ‘strict and harsh’ penalties for overspend breaches of the 2021 Formula 1 cost cap.
the Alfa Romeo driver was speaking on Thursday afternoon at the drivers’ press conference at the United States Grand Prix, where the talk of the paddock has been very much the alleged breach of the cost cap by red bull via a minor overspend.
Indeed, the FIA has revealed that the Milton Keynes-based team went over the 2021 budget, though they have consistently protested their innocence, and it remains to be seen what is going to happen next.
Bottas calls for strict cost cap penalty
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – MAY 27: Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Alfa Romeo F1 talks to the media in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 27, 2022 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco . (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Naturally, though, the drivers have been asked for their thoughts on the situation and with Bottas part of the Mercedes team that fought so hard with Red Bull in 2021 – the year the cost cap breach relates to – it was of key interest to hear what he had to say.
Bottas pulled no punches either here in Austin, suggesting that only a firm clamping down from the governing body would suffice:
“I feel like rules are rules and if you don’t follow them, there should be a penalty that really hurts. I personally hope it’s going to be a strict and harsh penalty because that shouldn’t happen.”
It was revealed yesterday that the FIA have made an Accepted Breach Agreement offer to Red Bull that would see the team if they accept the terms of it, accept a breach happened but also avoid more severe punishment.
READ MORE: FIA make Red Bull offer concerning cost cap
It remains to be seen if Red Bull agree to that, though, with them time and again saying that they have done nothing wrong.
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