The four worst teams in Formula One get £20m to invest

The rest of the teams also received Small exemptions to spending limits to try to reach an agreement. Capital spending has become a point of discussion as the FIA ​​tightens financial rules, with some such as Williams, which has lagged on investment in its facilities, complaining that it will be impossible for them to improve their infrastructure and compete against the leaders.

In recent months, several options have been considered, although the big challenge was that giving the same additional limit to all groups would not have been able to close this performance gap, since The big guys will always find a place to spend the extra allowance and make their cars faster in the end.

Finally, the FIA ​​and the teams agreed Choose an expense table that divides the network into three “categories” With the results of the 2020, 2021 and 2022 tournaments to determine the ranking. The arrangement is somewhat similar to the aerodynamic test restrictions that give more time in the wind tunnel to those who finish the race in a worse position, although there are three steps rather than going in reverse order.

In the financial regulations, the maximum capital expenditure figure stated for each year is actually a variable total for that season and the previous three seasons combined. The original cost cap number for 2024 was $45 million per team.Which represents the maximum spending for the same years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 combined.

For the top category teams, i.e. Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari, this number rises to 51 million dollarsWhich gives them an additional six million to invest compared to what was initially planned, although sources indicate that the International Federation did not want to give the top players any additional allocations.

For the middle group teams McLaren, Alpine and Aston Martin, the total allowable spending increases by thirteen million, Up to 58While at the bottom it consists of Alfa Tauri and Alfa Romeo [Sauber]And the Haas Formula 1 team and Williams, this number grows by $20 million, Up to 65.

Which represents A Net profit of $14 million from expenses Compared to the Big Three, this creates a real opportunity for them to close the infrastructure and thus performance gap. For 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028, the four-year figures have been reduced to $42 million for those at the top, $49 for those in the middle “bracket,” and $56 for those at the bottom.

In 2029, all teams will be on equal footing again, with a total of $36 million for that cycle and the previous three added. Manager of The Grove, James Fowleswhich has lobbied hard for additional spending, thanked its rivals for their support of the new agreement: “It’s good news, from my point of view, anyway. The good work done with all the teams has allowed us to unlock a waiver in our favor of about $20 million.

He commented: “Since February, an agreement has been reached, and good negotiations have been maintained. Now we have this spending limit, maybe not the 100 million I was looking for, but it is a good step in the right direction.” British. “We have an agreement on the table after six months, which is tilted, so the teams in front will not get as much money as the teams who are behind, and we will all benefit more, which is somewhat in line with the facilities.”

On the other hand, McLaren CEO said, Andrea Stella, supported the additional allocation of expenditure, which will help his team improve its factory in Woking: “First of all, I would like to highlight that it was a positive process in which the teams and organizations that led everything were able to achieve an agreement. “For us, this is good news, we will use this expense, so I think it is good for the team.”

ferrari manager, Fred Vasseurwas more skeptical about the change: “I’m not completely convinced. First, if you ask your engineers if they want to achieve more, they will always tell you yes, we want more, it’s a never-ending process, and I think we’ve opened the door several times to adjust the cost limit regulations, and that Very dangerous.

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