LONDON, Sept 11 (Askume) – All 10 Formula One teams have complied with cost caps in 2023 for the second consecutive year, the FIA regulator said on Wednesday, but procedural irregularities were found at engine makers Alpine and Honda.
The 2023 season is the third year under team cost caps, which are capped at $138.6 million, and the first for power unit manufacturers as the sport moves to new engines in 2026.
“The CCA (Cost Cap Authority) confirms that both Alpine Racing SAS and HRC (Honda Racing) have committed procedural irregularities, but neither has breached the cost cap level,” the FIA said in a statement.
“Alpine Racing SAS and HRC have always acted with integrity and are currently working with the CCA to finalise this matter.”
The FIA said the CCA intends to propose a solution through an Acceptance of Default Agreement (ABA) “taking into account the nature of the defaults, the complexity of the new financial regulations… and the challenges faced in the first year of implementation.”
The procedural irregularities were not detailed, but may relate to late submissions or errors in documents provided.
The ABA will impose a fine rather than a sporting penalty in this case. Alpine is owned by Renault, while Honda currently partners with champions Red Bull but will operate Aston Martin from 2026.
In 2022, Aston Martin was fined $450,000 for procedural irregularities, while Williams Racing paid a $25,000 fine the same year for missing a deadline to submit the team’s 2021 accounts under ABA rules.
Four other power unit manufacturers that have applied to compete in the 2026 competition are also eligible. The 2023 engine regulations set a spending cap of $140.4 million.
