Formula 1‘s governing body has declared that all 10 teams were in compliance with budget restriction regulations for the 2022 season.
The news comes after allegations that several teams had breached the cap, including Aston Martin, Mercedes and Red Bull.
However the FIA had given the all-clear to competitors shortly after the Italian Grand Prix, meaning there will be no punishments handed out in 2023.
“The FIA Cost Cap Administration has issued certificates of compliance to all of the ten Competitors,” The governing body said in a press release. “The review has been an intensive and thorough process, beginning with a detailed analysis of the documentation submitted by the competitors.
“Additionally, there has been an extensive check of any non-F1 activities undertaken by the teams.
“The FIA Cost Cap Administration notes that all Competitors acted at all times in a spirit of good faith and cooperation throughout the process.”
A sigh of relief for the FIA
The regulations came under intense public scrutiny during the 2022 season, when it emerged that Red Bull had breached the cost-cap for 2021 by $1,800,000 (USD).
The team won an already controversial Driver’s Championship for 2021 at the Abu Dhabi GP, and the discovery of their breach added to the flames.
Ferrari and Mercedes both argued that the overspend, attributed to an unpaid tax break and extra catering costs, gave Red Bull an advantage in 2021 and 2022 with the change of regulations.
For the transgression Red Bull incurred a restriction to their wind tunnel and CFD time, affecting car development opportunities, for 12 months and received a fine amounting to $7m.
The decision was announced just after the Japanese GP, where Max Verstappen sealed his second successive title.
Aston Martin and Williams were also found to be in breach of administrative procedure and also received fines.
