The FIA confirmed that nine out of 10 teams had complied with the cost cap in 2024, with Aston Martin the only one cited for procedural breaches of a “very minor nature”.
As reported last week, Aston Martin admitted it was unable to submit an audited report by the March 31 deadline due to extenuating circumstances, and the FIA received the unaudited report before the deadline. The team did not exceed cost cap levels and signed a Breach Acknowledgment Agreement (ABA) with the FIA at the end of September.
Since then, delays in confirming the remaining teams’ compliance have fueled speculation that further teams may be in breach, but the FIA says the complex nature of the process, which also includes financial regulations relating to all power unit manufacturers in 2026, has taken longer than previous years.
“The review of the report was a very thorough and intensive process spanning seven months,” an FIA statement said.
“The FIA acknowledged that the review process is particularly time-consuming, given both the complexity of the financial rules and the need to assess the technical aspects (and associated cost treatment) of the development activities carried out by F1 teams and PU manufacturers.”
“The FIA has confirmed that all F1 teams and all PU manufacturers have provided their full support in providing the necessary information. The Cost Cap Authority notes that all F1 teams and all PU manufacturers have acted in a spirit of integrity and cooperation at all times throughout the process.”
The cost cap was first introduced in 2021 and its aim was to limit spending in F1 to “ensure the long-term viability of the championship, encourage performance convergence between competitors and create more exciting races”. The latest reporting period ends December 31, 2024, and accounts will be submitted three months after that.
All five power unit manufacturers (Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Powertrains, Honda and Audi) were also found to be in compliance with the relevant financial regulations.
