F1: Only three teams reject budget cap hike

(GMM) Only three Formula 1 teams are now arguing against a move to raise the budget cap by $7 million.

Red Bull’s Christian Horner says teams’ freight costs in particular are “doubling” in 2022 as a result of factors like covid and the Ukraine-Russia war.

“We also see it in the cost of living. We see inflation throughout the world,” he said.

“We need to find a sensible allowance that takes into account these inflationary costs because the only compensatory place to offset that is parts and people.

“Formula 1 is acutely aware of that, the FIA are acutely aware. I think the teams by and large are looking to find a workable solution.”

Initially, it was mainly the biggest teams like Red Bull and Mercedes who were arguing the loudest about a budget cap increase, but now McLaren and Aston Martin have joined their ranks.

Only Alpine, Alfa Romeo and Haas are opposed to a budget cap increase now.

“Rules are rules,” Alfa-Sauber team boss Frederic Vasseur said simply.

Haas’ Gunther Steiner also sees no need for F1 to make a knee-jerk reaction to inflation.

“If we are above 3 percent inflation in September, there will automatically be more in 2023 anyway,” he argues.

“We don’t need to bring that forward.”

As for why former budget cap hard-liners McLaren and Aston Martin have now defected and joined those pushing for a higher cap, Otmar Szafnauer told Auto Motor und Sport: “They have massive problems with their cars.

“They need the extra money for that,” said the Alpine team boss, who defected from Aston Martin over the winter.

Otmar Szafnauer. Photo courtesy of Alpine Racing