Domenicali concerned about budget cap: 'It's about our credibility'

The 2022 financial papers have now been handed in by the teams to the FIA and will be audited in the coming period. Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali does have some concerns about the outcome and course of that investigation.

Late last year, it was revealed that Red Bull had breached the 2021 budget cap. In the first year of the new rules, Red Bull had committed "a minor offence", for which it was punished with a financial penalty and less testing time in the wind tunnel. Some of Red Bull's rivals ruled at the time that the punishment was too lenient. However, Domenicali has maintained that it was appropriate and that we will see the effects of this penalty more clearly at Red Bull over the course of this season. Future time will show whether the penalty has acted as a sufficient deterrent to prevent future offences.

"I’m more than nervous," Domenicali explained to Sky Sports. "I’m pretty sure that everyone understands now what the effect is if there is a breach, and I totally agree that the focus on this will actually be very big. I think that is a point of attention mainly for the credibility and to check if everyone is respecting that rule, but it has to be done earlier than later."

Domenicali's fears are not completely unfounded: late last year, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko already reasoned that as many as six teams may have gone over the budget cap in 2022. According to Marko, the reason was inflation and increased energy costs.