FIA President Questions Future of F1 Cost… Read More
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has suggested that the Formula 1 cost cap, introduced to bring financial parity among teams, may be more trouble than it’s worth. According to a report by the Associated Press, Ben Sulayem expressed frustration during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, questioning whether the cost cap—currently set at around $140 million—should continue.
The cost cap was implemented in 2021 to level the playing field between high-spending teams and those with smaller budgets. The regulation was also intended to promote long-term financial sustainability and help teams become profitable. However, Ben Sulayem now appears to doubt its effectiveness, stating that it creates ongoing administrative challenges for the FIA.
“I’m looking at the cost cap and it’s just giving the FIA a headache,” Ben Sulayem was quoted as saying. “So what’s the point of it? I don’t see the point. I really don’t.”
His remarks come in the midst of a simmering dispute between Red Bull and McLaren over alleged technical violations. Red Bull has accused McLaren of using water to cool their tyres, a method that could potentially offer a performance advantage but would breach F1’s strict technical rules. McLaren, however, has denied the accusations, and no evidence has been found to support the claim. The British team has challenged Red Bull to file an official protest rather than continue making public insinuations about the legality of their MCL39 car.
Tyre supplier Pirelli has also weighed in, noting that injecting water through the tyre valve undetected would be nearly impossible. Such an act would be a direct violation of the sport’s technical regulations, and so far, no signs point to McLaren engaging in any wrongdoing.
In light of this dispute, Ben Sulayem voiced support for a proposal made by McLaren CEO Zak Brown. Brown suggested that if a team wants to file a formal protest, the cost of doing so should be deducted from its cost cap budget. If the protest is upheld and the accusations proven correct, the cost would be refunded. This, Brown argued, would discourage baseless allegations and ensure that protests are made only when there is compelling evidence.
The FIA president’s comments raise questions about the long-term future of the cost cap and whether it continues to serve its intended purpose. As Formula 1 continues to evolve, the balance between fair competition, financial regulation, and technological innovation remains at the forefront of the sport’s governance challenges.
