By Charlie Gardner

In a rare moment of unanimous approval, the FIA has confirmed that all 10 F1 teams have fully complied with the sport's 2024 financial regulations, clearing a major hurdle ahead of the 2026 regulations overhaul. The announcement made after the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend marks the second consecutive year of full compliance, an achievement that reflects growing financial discipline across the paddock following the cost cap era's rocky debut. With no breaches, penalties or investigations triggered, the ruling sends a strong signal of stability and transparency in F1's evolving economic landscape.

The review found that nine out of 10 Formula One (F1) teams were found to be in full compliance with the $135 million spending limit. All five Power Unit (PU) manufacturers were found to be in full compliance with the PU cost cap. Only AMR GP Limited (Aston Martin Racing) was identified with a procedural breach, but the team did not exceed the cost cap level.

This resolves widespread rumours in the F1 paddock that another team might have committed a significant overspend in 2024. By confirming that no team spent above the maximum limit, the FIA halts damaging speculation and ensures the focus remains on sporting competition.

The treatment of the Aston Martin case reinforces the clear legal distinction between procedural breaches which indicates administrative mistakes that don’t confer a performance advantage. Whereas, overspread breaches suggest actual overspending that yields a competitive benefit which typically results in fines and sporting sanctions as seen the 2021 Red Bull case.

The audit was conducted by the FIA Cost Cap Administration (CCA), a specialised body dedicated to policing the financial regulations.

The review process was described as a “Thorough and intensive process spanning seven months”, highlighting the complexity of verifying the cost treatment of development activities across highly sophisticated organisations. The primary objective was to determine which entities were compliant with the financial limits and which committed any level of breach.

According to official release: “Nine F1 Team found compliance for 2024, and Procedural Breach identified for AMR GP Ltd (AMR). The CCA confirms that although AMR has been found to be in Procedural Breach, it has not exceeded the cost cap level.”

It confirms that the financial regulations successfully governed by the spending of most of the grid. As it differentiates the singular breach (Aston Martin’s) as purely procedural, confirming the integrity of the actual spending the most critical element of the cost cap.

The most crucial finding is that no team exceeded the spending limit in the 2024 period. This is a monumental success for the FIA and F1 Management as it confirms that the financial guardrails are working effectively to curb the competitive arms race. The CCA demonstrated proportionality by concluding that the minor procedural breach did not warrant a financial or sporting penalty.

Focusing remains squarely on preventing illicit spending that impacts on track performance. While a procedural breach was forgiven, teams are now on notice that administrative diligence is a formal requirement of the financial regulations. Minor errors still require official resolution (ABA), tying up resources and reputation.

The significant consequence is the formal recognition that a minor procedural breach that results in no competitive advantage will not incur financial or sporting penalties. This sets a precedent for future administrative errors, distinguishing them clearly from breaches that result in actual overspending.

The ABA is now cemented as a normal administrative tool within the F1 framework moving past the shock and controversy associated with earlier, more severe breaches. Normalisation reduced the media drama around administrative compliance issues.

FIA confirms full compliance: All F1 teams clear 2024 financial regulations