Scuderia Ferrari has pointed out the need for the FIA to make sure that Formula 1’s budget cap is correctly respected during the 2022 season in order to give any team the possibility of finding ways around the system for development upgrades that could prove decisive given the close performance between the teams in this start of the 2022 Formula 1 championship. With teams braced for a big development war as they attempt to gain more pace with their 2022 F1 cars, everyone has to carefully evaluate costs and their spending so they do not bust the $140 million spending limit for the new campaign.
However, given the fact that some teams are realising they will not be able to bring all the upgrades they would like to as a result of the budget restrictions, the Italian side is worried that some squads may try to identify solutions to exploit the financial regulations to help fund more development work.
Scuderia Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto explained that Formula 1 needs to guarantee that no one can bust the budget cap limits, given the importance this factor will have in deciding the world championship fight: “[The budget cap] will influence the rate of development,” – the Ferrari team principal said, at the end of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which the Maranallo team ended in P2 and P3 with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
“I think that is a key element and my concern is that we need to make sure that we’ve got the right policing on that because it can be, let me say, a game-changer in the fight for developments.” – he added.
Speaking a few days ago, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner confirmed teams were going to have to be far more strategic with their upgrade plans during the championship: “I think pretty much every team is pretty close to the limit this year,” he said. “It’s very aggressive so you have to be very strategic in how you apply your funds to developments. I think rather than just running as fast as you can and getting as much performance from the car, you’ve got to be much more selective in what you chose, based on its cost. So it drives efficiency.” – he explained.
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Mattia Binotto made the comments after similar remarks were made by Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who pointed out a couple of concerns he has regarding the implementation of the budget cap this year: “The first is that of control, because if those who have to regulate miss something, the whole system collapses. Today, it is not enough to check only the technical side, but a strict financial control is also needed, and for this reason the FIA is equipping itself to be even more robust in its role as guarantor. The second point relates to some variables that were difficult to predict at the time of the launch of the financial regulations. Inflation is going in an unforeseeable direction, and transportation costs have also gone up in recent weeks in a way that is difficult to predict. There will be discussions to find the right solutions, but always keeping at the centre the principle that we must guarantee everyone the same possibilities.” – the Ferrari boss concluded.
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