Honda and Alpine fined by FIA over F1 engine cost cap breach

Formula 1 power unit manufacturers Honda and Alpine (Renault) have agreed to pay fines for procedural breaches of the FIA’s engine cost cap rules.

Honda will pay $600,000, while Alpine’s fine amounts to $400,000, after both manufacturers settled for a so-called Accepted Breach Agreement with the FIA.

In its report the FIA said Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) failed to file accurate reporting documentation, because its cost calculations included incorrectly excluded or adjusted costs.

Alpine was handed a smaller fine because it delayed sending it documents and the FIA deemed it had “omitted relevant information”.

Because both cases revolve around a minor breach and the FIA felt both companies acted in good faith, the federation can offer an Accepted Breach Agreement to resolve the matter without taking matters further, which both HRC and Alpine accepted earlier this month.

Both companies will also be required to pay any administrative costs incurred by the FIA’s Cost Cap Administration investigating their breaches.

Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team VCARB 01, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

“The Cost Cap Administration recognised that both PUMs [power unit manufacturers] have acted cooperatively and in good faith throughout the review process and have sought to provide additional information and evidence when requested in a timely manner,” the FIA wrote.

“There is no accusation or evidence that either Alpine or HRC has sought or obtained any undue advantage as a result of the breach.”

From 2023 F1’s engine manufacturers were forced to work under a cost cap for the first time. All manufacturers came out under the budget limit, but Alpine and Honda were both pinged in September for their procedural breaches.

All 10 teams also fully complied with F1’s cost cap for the 2023 season.

Alpine owner Renault recently decided to end its long-running F1 power unit programme at its Viry-Chatillon plant in France ahead of 2026, halting development of its new engines.

Instead, Alpine is expected to take Mercedes customer engines for F1’s new regulations era.