The FIA announces a procedural breach by Alpine and Honda in the context of the engine manufacturers’ budget cap
In a statement released this Wednesday, the FIA announced that Alpine and Honda were found to have committed a procedural breach in 2023. However, they did not exceed the cost cap level.
The Cost Cap Administration (CCA) of the FIA has completed its review regarding the different teams involved in the 2023 season and the manufacturers of the new generation of power units that will be introduced in 2026. In a statement shared by the FIA this Wednesday, it is learned that the ten F1 teams are compliant for 2023 with the Financial Regulations. As a reminder, the spending limit for 2023 was set at $140.4 million.
However, the report also states that procedural violations were identified for Alpine Racing SAS and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). The ACC confirms that although Alpine Racing SAS and HRC were both found to be in violation of procedure, neither of them exceeded the cost cap limit. Alpine Racing SAS and HRC have always acted in good faith and are currently cooperating with the ACC to resolve the matter. It is also specified.
A possible financial penalty
These procedural violations have not been specified, but they could involve failure to provide necessary documents to the FIA, delays in submitting a file, or lack of cooperation following a request from the CCA.
Given the nature of the violation, the complexity of the new financial regulation for PU manufacturers and the challenges associated with its first year of implementation, the ACC intends to propose to these two PU manufacturers to settle their respective violations through an Accepted Breach Agreement (ABA), the FIA statement said.
Alpine and Honda, who will make their comeback in F1 as an engine supplier for the 2026 season alongside their partner Aston Martin, will likely only face a financial penalty if their infringements are not considered too serious. Sanctions for procedural breaches are purely financial unless the FIA determines that there are mitigating factors justifying the absence of further measures, as indicated by the governing body. This was notably the case for Aston Martin and Williams, who found themselves in a similar situation regarding the 2021 season.
