McLaren sanctioned: a record fine for exceeding the budget cap

McLaren’s former Formula E structure has been heavily sanctioned by the FIA after exceeding the budget cap last season, with a fine of 400,000 euros, the highest ever imposed in the discipline.

McLaren Electric Racing Limited, which left the Formula E World Championship at the end of Season 11 in July 2025, admitted to exceeding the budget cap imposed by the electric discipline.

According to the FIA, the British team signed an Accepted Breach Agreement (ABA) dated June 1, after having itself reported a minor overspend.

The Formula E budget cap was set at approximately £12.2 million, while McLaren exceeded this limit by 4.54%, or approximately £555,000 above the authorized threshold.

The FIA emphasizes the absence of bad faith

In its statement, the FIA insisted that the team’s behavior was not fraudulent and that there was no intention of concealment.

“The Cost Cap Administration acknowledged that MERL identified and voluntarily notified a minor overspend before the end of the control process, that this overspend primarily resulted from costs related to the orderly closure of the team after its decision to leave the championship, and that there is no evidence of bad faith, fraud, or deliberate concealment of information,” the statement specifies.

The governing body therefore proposed an amicable settlement, accepted by McLaren, due to its cooperation.

A record fine despite an offense qualified as minor

Despite these mitigating circumstances, the British structure still receives a hefty fine of 400,000 euros, to be paid within 30 days.

This is the largest financial penalty ever imposed in Formula E, surpassing Nissan’s previous record, which was sanctioned for 300,000 euros in 2024 for an overspend of less than 2%.

The FIA is expected to publish the full conclusions regarding other teams and their compliance with the budget cap for Season 11 in the coming weeks.

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