By Charlie Gardner

The FIA Cost Cap Administration found Aston Martin Racing (AMR GP Limited) guilty of a “Very minor procedural breach” of the 2024 financial regulations but the team did not exceed the overall cost cap spending limit.

The breach was resolved through an Accepted Breach Agreement (ABA) and due to “Exceptional and unpredictable circumstances” beyond the team’s control, no financial or sporting penalty was imposed. It confirms that the cost cap is working as intended as the majority of teams were fully compliant and Aston Martin’s actual spending was below the limit.

Crucially, it ends widespread paddock rumours that another team had committed a significant overspend reassuring the sport’s fans and stakeholders that the 2024 competition was financially clean. The team avoids the negative public and competitive consequences of a financial penalty as the FIA confirmed there was “No accusation or evidence that AMR has sought or obtained any undue advantage” from the breach. The matter is closed without further investigation by the Cost Cap Adjudication (CCA) Panel.

The cost cap was introduced in the 2024 season with the primary goal of ensuring the financial stability, sustainability, and competitive parity in Formula One (F1). It places a strict annual limit on the amount of money teams can spend on activities that directly impact car performance.

Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso ahead of the F1 Grand Prix in Mexico City via Getty Images

For the 2024 season, the cap was approximately $135 million as the exact figure if often adjusted for factors like inflation and race calendar length. As the failure was minor, non-strategic and caused by circumstances outside the team’s control, the FIA deemed that no penalty was warranted. This closes the chapter on the 2024 cost cap audit with no team being found guilty of actual spending.

According to official release: “The CCA confirms that although AMR has been found to be in Procedural Breach, it has not exceeded the cost cap level and that the Procedural Breach was of a very minor nature, originated by unpredictable circumstances outside control of the F1 Team.”

Citing the minor nature and unpredictable circumstances as the mitigating factors, justifying the decision to levy no financial or sporting sanction.

The FIA’s announcement confirms that nine out of the 10 teams as well as all five power unit manufacturers were fully compliant with the 2024 spending limit. This dispels recent paddock rumours of a “significant” overspend by another team and establishes the overall financial discipline of the grid.

Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin making a pitstop at the Mexico City Grand Prix via Getty Images

The ABA mechanism is proven to be efficient enforcement tool for minor administrative violations. It allows the FIA to close an investigation swiftly avoiding the lengthy and potentially damaging process of referral to the Cost Cap Adjudication Panel while retaining the regulatory authority to impose penalties if necessary.

The resolution confirms the CCA has the authority to apply discretion and proportional judgement. By imposing no penalty for a non-performance related procedural breach, the CCA avoids the appearance of being a rigid, bureaucracy heavy enforcer. The finalisation of the audit successfully puts an end to speculation and rumour.

By confirming that the $135 million cost cap was not exceeded by any team in 2024, the FIA significantly boosts the credibility of the cost cap’s enforcement and its ability to police financial boundaries which is vital for the long-term health of the sport. The decision provides finality for the 2024 season’s financial records. All teams can move forward with confidence in their final standings knowing no further penalties to that year’s spending will emerge.

FIA confirms financial breach: Aston Martin reaches accepted agreement over 2024 cost cap violation