Both Honda and Alpine accepted contracts proposed by the FIA for breach of procedure on cost caps by first-time powerplant manufacturers.
Both manufacturers were found to be in breach of procedure early last month, with the FIA’s Cost Cap Authority finding that both manufacturers were below the cost cap on the costs involved. Now the violations have been made public, revealing that Honda made errors in dynamometer maintenance and inventory reporting.
The Breach of Agreement (ABA) accepted by Honda will result in a fine of $600,000 as well as cost cap administration costs associated with preparing the ABA.
In Alpine’s case, the assessment report “contained significant deficiencies and was therefore incomplete. Several required procedures were not performed at all and several others were only partially completed.” Alpine addressed these deficiencies with an updated assessment report in May.
Alpine’s fine is $400,000, which is lower than Honda’s, and it also covers ABA preparation costs.
“Cost Cap Management recognized that both power equipment manufacturers acted cooperatively and in good faith throughout the review process and sought to provide additional information and evidence when requested in a timely manner. The FIA said there was “no accusation or evidence that Alpine or HRC sought or obtained an unfair advantage by way of a breach under the Power Unit Financial regulations.”
Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Powertrain, and Audi were all confirmed to have complied with the cost cap reporting period last September.
