F1 teams could have to miss races to meet budget cap

The debate about a tweak to the cap to reflect inflation levels around the world and rising freight costs has been going on since the start of the season.

F1 managing director Ross Brawn has previously indicated that the matter would be addressed.

However, several teams have continued to dig their heels in and oppose any change to the current limit, which is $140m for the year, plus an extra $1.2m for a 22nd race.

The cap is putting a squeeze on development and obliging teams to keep a close watch on how often rivals bring new parts to the track, amid the inevitable suspicions about how closely the rules are being adhered to.

“I think we need the FIA to address the inflationary issue,” said Horner. “Because I think basically probably about seven of the teams probably need to miss the last four races to come within the cap this year, from the consensus that there has been up and down the paddock.

“It’s not just about the big teams now, it’s teams in the middle of the field that are really struggling with the inflationary rate that we’re seeing that could even get worse in the second half of the year.

“I think the FIA have a duty of care in a situation like this. I know they’re taking it very seriously because as I say, you’d almost be at the point where I think for certain teams, from numbers that were presented earlier in the [Spanish GP] week, that they would have to miss a few grands prix to even get anywhere near the numbers.” 

Horner said teams don’t want to risk edging over the cap and facing penalties.

“I think nobody wants to be in that position, which is why I think the second six months of the year, the FIA need to address the issue, because things like energy bills, just cost of living, we see that the costs are growing exponentially.

“And Formula 1’s not exempt from that. We see it in freight, that’s quadrupled. And that’s not something we can control.” 

Alpine boss Otmar…