Lewis Hamilton believes it is “imperative” the FIA is transparent in the release of their 2021 Formula 1 budget cap assessment.
On Wednesday, the governing body delayed issuing certificates of compliance for the fourth time, declaring Monday the new date and citing “a long and complex process that is ongoing”.
However, all this is going on amid intense speculation that Red Bull did breach last year’s $145m cap perhaps by as much as $10m, a claim the team has strongly denied.
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Even so, Hamilton hopes the delay is a sign the FIA is taking the situation very seriously and will communicate its findings in an open way.
“I think it’s imperative,” he said on Thursday in Suzuka. “We need to continue to have transparency for the fans, for the integrity of the sport.
“I don’t know enough about it, there are a lot of conversations in the background but no-one truly knows. There’s different numbers and different things being said.
“I was expecting the results to come out already and I like to think if it’s been delayed it’s because it’s being taken very seriously and I trust that Mohamed [Ben Sulayem, FIA president] is taking it seriously and will do what is right for the sport.”
Should it be confirmed that Red Bull did exceed the budget cap, Hamilton called for significant repercussions arguing any overspending would translate into more performance on the track.
“I think it would be bad for the sport if action wasn’t taken if there was a breach. But I don’t know if there is, so I’ll wait just as you will,” he continued.
“For sure, it would put in question our values, the integrity of the sport.
“I remember last year, as a driver, you are always asking for updates. I remember at Silverstone we got our last update, and it was worth almost three-tenths.
“I’m pretty certain it cost less than a million… but maybe over time, it would cost more in terms of being built.
“I remember after that needing more updates, but then seeing trucks from those guys [Red Bull], updates continuing to arrive on the other car. I was thinking, ‘jeez, it’s gonna be hard to beat them in the championship if they keep bringing updates’.
“It’s so integral to the development race. If we had another half a million to spend, we would have been in a different position at some of the following races if we had brought another floor, which we could have easily done,” he added.
“But that’s not the name of the game and I’m grateful our team is very strict and abides [by the rules]. The way we work, they did an amazing job. It needs to be taken seriously.”
