Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton might have a small contribution behind Red Bull going over the budget cap in the 2021 season.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were involved in a fierce championship battle in 2021. The battle saw many close moments and even crashes as both the drivers gave their maximum to secure the ultimate glory.
One such incident occurred at Silverstone as the duo came together. In the opening lap of the 2021 British GP, Hamilton infamously tried to go on the inside of Verstappen at the corpse corner. This resulted in contact as Verstappen’s Red Bull was sent into the gravel trap into the barriers at high speed.
Verstappen’s RB16B was destroyed in the crash fuming the Red Bull camp. Verstappen was also sent to the hospital for a checkup given the high intensity and forces of the crash.
Lewis Hamilton eventually won the race even after receiving a 10-second time penalty.
FIA now officially concluded its investigation deeming Red Bull guilty of a breach of the 2021 budget cap.
Reports indicate that the crash might have cost Euros 1.6 million to Red Bull. However, reports indicate that misinterpretation of sick pay and catering.
Further, the breach is coming in the category of a “minor” overspending. This means that Red Bull is expected to go away with a fine. The penalty could have been more severe if the breach came under the “material” overspending.
Nevertheless, many people are demanding FIA set an example by taking rather a strict action against the perpetrators.
Hamilton has also reacted to the findings
Lewis Hamilton also reacted to the budget cap breach news. The Briton is also among those demanding FIA of strict action against Red Bull. This was rather expected from Hamilton given the intense battle he was involved in last year.
“What I can say is I remember last year in Silverstone we had our last upgrade and fortunately it was great and we could fight with it,”
Hamilton told Sky Sports.
“But then we would see Red Bull every weekend or every other weekend bringing upgrades. They had, I think, at least four more upgrades from that point.
“If we spent £300,000 on a new floor, or adapted a wing, it would have changed the outcome of the championship naturally because we would have been in better competition in the next race if you add it on. So, I hope that that’s not the case. I do believe Mohammed [Ben Sulayem, FIA president] and the FIA will do what is right with whatever they find out.”
The official penalty is still due from the FIA as everyone awaits to know the outcome of the first budget breach in Formula 1.
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