The FIA has clarified that it has no plans to introduce a price cap exemption for Ferrari in Formulation 1, even after granting an analogous exception to Audi.
Beginning in 2026, the associated fee cap for F1 groups will enhance from $135 million USD (roughly £108.1 million GBP) to $215 million USD (£172.2 million GBP). This adjustment displays the added bills related to implementing new technical laws and addressing world inflation.
Audi, set to enter F1 as a works group in partnership with Sauber, will function out of the Hinwil manufacturing facility in Switzerland, the place the price of dwelling is considerably increased than within the UK. Consequently, the FIA has authorized an extra value cap enhance completely for Audi, a call that has sparked discontent among the many different 9 groups.
This exception has raised questions on whether or not Ferrari, presently the one group based mostly outdoors the UK (previous to Cadillac’s anticipated entry), may also obtain an analogous allowance. Nonetheless, FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has outlined the the explanation why the Maranello group won’t be granted an adjustment below the revised value cap guidelines.
Nikolas Tombazis defined to pick media that the problem of wage disparities between groups is extra nuanced, because it entails contemplating the challenges of recruiting personnel from different groups, together with the upper prices related to such strikes. When requested instantly whether or not Ferrari would possibly obtain an exemption, he emphasised that the main target ought to stay on international locations with considerably increased labor prices, particularly citing Switzerland within the present context.
The racing automotive designer went on as an example his level with a metaphor, suggesting that in a “democracy” the place there are 9 wolves and one sheep, it turns into clear who holds the bulk. Whereas stressing the significance of equity and consensus, Nikolas Tombazis acknowledged the issue of reaching the mandatory stage of group help for changes aimed toward equity inside the extremely aggressive setting of Formulation 1. He concluded by reiterating that guaranteeing equity stays a elementary accountability for the FIA.
FIA Clarifies Resolution on Ferrari Exemption
Nikolas Tombazis elaborated on how Formulation 1’s governing physique arrived at its resolution to grant Audi an elevated value cap, emphasizing that the transfer was primarily pushed by concerns of equity towards the incoming group. He additional assured that the FIA would preserve full transparency with the opposite groups, addressing considerations that any side of the method may be perceived as clandestine or unfair.
Nikolas Tombazis defined that the FIA acknowledged important disparities in salaries and dwelling prices throughout totally different international locations, utilizing his personal expertise dwelling in Geneva for example, the place even routine grocery store visits spotlight the problem.
He famous that below an equal value cap, a group based mostly in a high-labor-cost nation like Switzerland would face an obstacle, doubtlessly having 30% to 40% fewer personnel engaged on the automotive. This imbalance, he said, was basically unfair.
From the FIA’s perspective, Nikolas Tombazis added, such a state of affairs might render groups in high-cost areas unsustainable, forcing operations like Sauber to both relocate or stop operations altogether—an consequence the FIA deemed unsuitable for a world championship.
He outlined that changes to the monetary laws for 2026 would handle this difficulty by factoring labor value variations into the associated fee cap calculations. Nikolas Tombazis defended the change as fully honest and emphasised that the FIA would enhance transparency across the regulation to reassure groups involved about potential underhanded practices. He expressed confidence that no affordable doubts could possibly be raised in regards to the equity of this strategy.
Jan 7, 2025
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