Le threads that continue to animate the paddock, moved to Silverstone for the first setups of the race weekend, they concern two themes in particular: pouring e budget cap. Precisely on this last one, the discussion table has divided several times. The top teams are asking for a review of the limit, set at 140 million, due to the growing inflation. While I team with minor finances, who accuse the others of having exploited the issue of inflation as a quibble to request an increase from the Federation, I do not agree. And the reason is simple.
Over the entire season these teams have a lower spending limit than that imposed by the FIA. Therefore, increasing it would only mean meeting the requests of the major teams. Which it would defeat the purpose for which the budget cap was born, that is, to iron out the economic differences between the teams and make the fairer competition. On the other hand, high-ranking team principals like Christian Horner - Red Bull, Pools Wolff - Mercedes, Matthias binotto - Ferrari, they believe it is impossible to stay within budget without sacrificing much of the development.
One proposal can change everything
The knot to unravel is quite large, considering the differences between the various teams, but it must be resolved as soon as possible to avoid inevitably compromising the ongoing World Championship. There FIA, according to the rumors launched by the German newspaper Auto Motor Und Sport, would an idea to get everyone to agree. What is this?
The proposal
Alpine, Alfa Romeo, Williams and more recently Haas they expressed themselves against increasing the maximum ceiling of spending as they do not reach the limit. "My budget limit is my budget”, said the team principal of the Alfa Romeo team Frédéric Vasseur.
La proposal which would appeal especially to the teams mentioned, concerns the management of proceeds from the category, which Liberty Media usually releases at the end of the season. As reported by Auto Motor Und Sport "Liberty Media would have to pay all teams a certain amount in cash. Some talk about three million dollars, others about 3% of the current spending limit of 140 million. That would be $4,2 million. This money can then be spent without falling within the budget cap. This would obviously also benefit the teams that are below the limit.”
What would change?
The money to fight inflation would come not courtesy of Liberty Media, but drawing on the prizes that teams receive at the end of the season. The compromise would therefore fall mainly on the top team, who could lose around 14,5% of the proceeds, while the smaller ones would benefit more by having to lose 7%.
The first answers
The first statements from those who expressed their opinion on this proposal also come from the German newspaper. According to Alpine team principal, Otmar Szafnauer, the one proposed by the FIA would be a fair compromise: “If everyone benefits equally, that's fine with us.” Opinion also shared by Haas team principal, Guenther Steiner: “It would be a good compromise, because even the teams that don't reach the budget limit will benefit".
At the moment this would only be a proposal, and as long as it is interesting, it is advisable to curb optimism until the papers are signed and the agreements made public. However, given that time is running out and the pressure of the protagonists increases, we are confident that an agreement can be found soon that will put an end to the discussions.
Source: Auto Motor Und Sport
