FIA MUST come down hard on Red Bull with heaviest punishment possible

Further darkness on the 2021 season

The 2021 season provided a storyline and blueprint for all future Formula 1 seasons. It was certainly the best season in the turbo-hybrid era, and arguably one of the greatest seasons since the sport began in 1950. The battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen saw two greats from two different generations go head-to-head and sometimes it got very heated. 

The drama lifted Formula 1 to another level, so much so that the finale in Abu Dhabi was shown on free-to-air TV in the United Kingdom and everyone had an opinion on the season whether they were Formula 1 fans or not. Sporting stars from around the world, including Tyson Fury, were publishing their thoughts on social media ahead of the showdown. It lifted Formula 1 to a whole new level. 

If you couldn't have predicted the 2021 season leading up to that point, then you really couldn't have predicted what happened next. Verstappen and Hamilton, level on points, went into a one-lap shootout to determine the Drivers World Championship. Verstappen got the better of Hamilton on the circuit and became a World Champion for the first time. Netflix didn't have much work to do on the creative side. It was all there for them. However, the whole issue with the safety car, Michael Masi's conversation with Red Bull and allowing certain lapped cars to overtake left a stain on the 2021 season. That stain has grown bigger with the news that Red Bull Racing have breached the cap. 

It has cast another dark shadow and created a whole new talking point on the outcome of the season. It has created a controversy that the 2021 season didn't need. It all looks murky to the outside world. 

FIA must punish Red Bull severely 

This is the first breach of Formula 1's cost cap and therefore any future breaches will now have something to look back on when determining a penalty. And it's what all teams will look to and know what to expect should it happen to them. If Red Bull Racing get handed a fine, it will have to be a very big one. For example, a $10 million fine is really just a drop in the ocean. It's like extending the cost cap. If the fine is like that, then the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari will breach the budget cap in future. They can afford that and will think it's worth it. And that will bring the sport into further dispute. 

Arguably, the negative media could affect their sponsorship deals, but that will probably be balanced out with good performance and impressive technology. The FIA have to set a punishment, in line with the guidelines already set out, to ensure future breaches don't happen. What options do the FIA have?

1. A public warning

2. Deduction of points in the constructors' championship or drivers' championship from the period of the offence

3. Exclusion from sessions during a race weekend, except for the race itself

4. A fine

5. Limited opportunity to test aerodynamic parts

6. Reduction of the budget cap for the following season

It would be silly to overturn any of the results that happened last season. It would be silly to open that can of worms again and create a bigger storm. That should be left as it is. This happened with Premiership Rugby when Saracens breached the salary cap heavily. They were allowed to keep their trophies and results in seasons where they breached the cap were left alone. This should also be the case with Red Bull Racing. 

However, as with Saracens, a fine and sporting punishment was applied to the current season. Whilst a minor sporting penalty, including a deduction of points in the constructors' or driver' championship, is an option, the FIA shouldn't do that. But they should be strong on other options. A limited opportunity to test aerodynamic parts will hamper Red Bull's progress and development from now onwards at an important time. A reduction of the budget cap will also do that. The FIA must be strong to stop future breaches. Otherwise, the sport's cost cap will become useless.