Formula 1 | F1, FIA and teams have found a budget compromise

F1’s governing body has proposed ending the current row over the budget cap by paying teams a fixed amount to counter inflation.

Although many smaller teams insist the $140m budget cap should be strictly enforced this year, others – including Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari – argue the inflation crisis could hardly be longer. severe.

“There are probably around 50% of the teams that are going to go over the cap at the end of the year if it continues like this,” warned Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner. « We don’t want a championship decided in court, or in Paris before the FIA. »

The latest round of behind-the-scenes financial meetings led the FIA ​​to propose a solution.

Formula 1 would give extra money to all teams, which would then not count towards the budget cap. However, the support would be subtracted from the revenue distribution provided by FOM.

The amount would be either $3 million, or 3% of the current cap of $140 million, or $4.2 million.

Alfa Romeo had rejected a simple budget cap increase on the grounds that some teams – like Switzerland-based Sauber – wouldn’t spend even $140 million in 2022.

« My budget limit is my maximum budget, » declared Frédéric Vasseur.

Alpine F1, the Renault-owned team which had also opposed a simple increase in the budget cap, seems willing to accept the proposed compromise.

“If everyone benefits to the same extent, we are in the game,” confirms Otmar Szafnauer.

For Haas F1 this is also a good solution and Günther Steiner agrees: « It would be a decent compromise, as teams that don’t reach the budget limit will also benefit. »

The proposal, however, has yet to be approved by Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali.

« We are thinking about it, » responds Formula One Management. « After all, this is our money that would be distributed (in advance). »