Rich Energy believe that Sir Lewis Hamilton ought to be crowned champion for the 2021 season after the news that Red Bull overspent on last year’s budget cap.
The seven-time champion was involved in a battle of the ages last season With Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and the Dutchman came out on top following a controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton, Mercedes and their fans were livid at the Safety Car restart brought about by now former race director, Michael Masi, and there have been calls from supporters around the world for the outcome to be reversed.
This was only strengthened when it emerged recently that Red Bull and Aston Martin had breached the budget cap in 2021.
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Initially, reports indicated that the Austrian side had spent over five percent more than the $145 million allocation, but on Monday, the FIA confirmed that the overspend was not a material one.
A minor breach of the financial regulations is not expected to lead to an exclusion from the championship, but there is still a possibility that points could be deducted.
A fine may also be imposed, depending on the circumstances of the overspend, and whether there are any mitigating circumstances.
Hamilton, at last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, called for “transparency” from the FIA regarding the exact figure of any overspend committed by any teams, but the governing body is yet to release that number.
In 2019, when the financial regulations were ratified, Formula 1’s managing director, Ross Brawn, said that the rules had “teeth,” indicating that there would be a harsh punishment for anyone that breaks them.
Rich Energy attempted to establish a rivalry with Red Bull when they entered F1 in 2019, but their relationship with Haas fell apart, so they departed after just half a season with the American team.
Their founder and CEO, William Storey, has since hinted at a return to the pinnacle of motorsport, with the company frequently weighing in on key subjects in F1.
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On Monday, they tweeted a video of Brawn’s comment during a press conference ahead of the US Grand Prix, and congratulated Hamilton on his eighth world title last season.
Verstappen’s win in Suzuka last weekend earned him his second consecutive championship.
Aston Martin, for their part, were found guilty of a procedural breach in their paperwork, so the FIA are now finalising a punishment for the respective teams.