FIA President Considers Scrapping Cost Cap Amidst Ongoing Controversy
The cost cap, a regulation introduced in 2021 to limit the amount of money each Formula 1 team can spend, may be on the chopping block. According to a report from the Associated Press, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is considering scrapping the cost cap, citing the numerous “headaches” it has caused.
The cost cap, currently set at approximately $140 million, was intended to level the playing field and make F1 teams more profitable. However, Ben Sulayem’s comments suggest that the regulation has become more of a hindrance than a help. “I’m looking at the cost cap and it’s just giving the FIA a headache,” he said. “So what’s the point of it? I don’t see the point. I really don’t.”
Ben Sulayem’s remarks come amidst a heated controversy between McLaren and Red Bull. The latter has accused McLaren of using water to cool its tires, a claim that McLaren has vehemently denied. Despite the lack of evidence to support Red Bull’s allegations, the team has continued to make public accusations about the legality of McLaren’s MCL39 car.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has responded to Red Bull’s claims by suggesting that the team should “put up or shut up” and lodge a formal protest. Brown’s proposal has been supported by Ben Sulayem, who believes that teams should be held accountable for their accusations. Under Brown’s plan, if a team lodges a protest, the sum would be deducted from the cost cap pot, and only returned if the claims made are found to be true.
Tyre supplier Pirelli has weighed in on the controversy, stating that it would be nearly impossible to force water through the tire valve without being detected. Such an action would be a flagrant breach of the technical regulations, and Pirelli’s comments suggest that Red Bull’s allegations are unfounded.
As the controversy continues to simmer, Ben Sulayem’s comments about the cost cap have added fuel to the fire. While the regulation was intended to promote fairness and fiscal responsibility, it has become a source of frustration for teams and the FIA alike. Whether or not the cost cap will ultimately be scrapped remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the ongoing controversy has highlighted the need for clarity and consistency in F1’s regulations.
