06/10/2022
NEWS STORY
Lewis Hamilton has warned that there must be total transparency in terms of the budget cap, insisting that the integrity of the sport is at risk.
For reasons known only to itself, instead of releasing details of the teams' budget cap submissions yesterday (Wednesday), the FIA has delayed the process for a further five days, thereby provoking the anticipated storm on social media.
Having kept the sport waiting all day yesterday, it is now likely that in its infinite wisdom the FIA will release its findings at a time much of the F1 paddock, including the media, is in the air travelling back from Japan.
With the matter still not settled it was inevitable that it would overshadow the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, like it did the Singapore race, and Mercedes 'spokesman', Lewis Hamilton wasted no time in getting in his two penn'orth.
With the media and certain teams already taking the line that Red Bull is guilty until proven innocent, the seven-time world champion was asked if he believes that those who have breeched the cap should feel the full weight of the law in terms of punishment.
"I think it's imperative," he replied, "honestly, just for transparency.
"I think we need to continue to have transparency for the fans, for the integrity of the sport," he added. "I don't really know enough about it. I know obviously there's lots of conversations that are going on in the background. No one truly knows. There's different numbers and different things being said here and there, so I was expecting those results, like you, to come out yesterday.
"I would like to think that if it's been delayed it's because it's been taken very seriously and I trust that Mohammed is taking it seriously and will do what is right for the sport. 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."
Indeed, clearly convinced that Red Bull has breeched the cap, Hamilton claims that his title fight with Max Verstappen last season was compromised by the fact that Mercedes was unable to introduce much-needed upgrades for fear of going over the limit. Recalling that in Abu Dhabi Mercedes already had a barrister on hand one wonders if the German team is already setting out its case.
"I remember last year as a driver, you were always asking for updates, updates, updates on things, whether it's fuel, whatever it is," said Hamilton. "And I remember in Silverstone when we got our last update, I remember that was almost 0.3s, I think that update, and I'm pretty certain it cost less than a million.
"But I remember after that needing more updates, but then seeing trucks, updates continuing to arrive on the other car, thinking jeez, it's going to be hard to beat them in the championship if they keep bringing updates.
"It's so integral to development, the development race and 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 were just bought another floor which we could have easily done but that's not the name of the game.
"I'm grateful that our team is very strict, given the way we work and they do an amazing job. So it needs to be taken seriously as I said."
Ironically, Sebastian Vettel, whose team is also claimed to have breeched the cap, agreed that any team that broke the rules should face the consequences of its actions.
"We try to control our driving and I think we know when we are right and we are wrong in terms of being fair, giving enough space," said the German. "We try to obviously be fair most of the time and I think that's the same for any governance of the sport is to ensure the fairness is there across the teams, across the year, across the season, across the sport.
"The FIA is in charge of that and we have to trust they're doing the job and if you fail to comply with the rules then there should be consequences.
"It's a complicated or complex matter and we're not the best judges to understand but I think the art is to break it down, make it simple and make it clear."