Haas are expected to side with Ferrari and Formula 1’s other leading teams against a proposal that would allow lower-performing outfits to spend more under the cost cap. The planned opposition leaves the current team vote balanced at 5-5 and places Racing Bulls in a potentially decisive position ahead of the next F1 Commission meeting in November.
The proposal is being pushed by Williams team principal James Vowles, who wants Formula 1’s financial regulations to take team performance into account. Under his plan, midfield teams would be permitted to spend more than Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren, giving them additional financial freedom to try to close the competitive gap.
James Vowles wants Formula 1 cost cap to reflect team performance
Under the 2026 regulations, every Formula 1 team operates with a $215 million cost cap. Vowles believes a single spending ceiling does not necessarily give less competitive teams enough opportunity to catch the established front-runners and wants the permitted expenditure to vary according to performance.
That would potentially allow teams outside the leading group to spend more than Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren. Unsurprisingly, those four teams are expected to oppose a proposal that would give their rivals greater spending power.
The more significant development is the position of Haas. According to reports, the American team is also expected to vote against the changes despite competing outside the traditional leading group.
Why Haas plan to side with Ferrari on the cost-cap vote
The reasoning behind Haas’ position is based on its own spending level. The team is already unable to reach the existing $215 million limit, meaning a higher allowance would not automatically give Haas additional performance potential.
Instead, raising the permitted expenditure for other midfield teams could strengthen direct rivals that already have the financial resources to spend closer to or at the cap. From Haas’ perspective, increasing the ceiling could therefore widen the financial gap between itself and some of the teams it is racing against rather than improving its own competitive position.
As a Ferrari customer, Haas are consequently expected to vote on the same side as the Maranello team, Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren when the issue reaches the F1 Commission.
Formula 1 teams currently split 5-5 over proposed changes
Reports currently place five teams in favour of changing the cost-cap system and five against it.
- In favour: Williams, Audi, Aston Martin, Alpine and Cadillac.
- Against: Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Haas.
That leaves Racing Bulls as the remaining team whose position could determine whether supporters of the proposal reach the stronger voting threshold required for an earlier rule change.
On competitive grounds, the proposal could benefit Racing Bulls. The team is already operating at the existing cost cap and is fighting the leading four teams for points, meaning additional permitted expenditure could theoretically provide more room to invest.
Its relationship with Red Bull complicates the political picture, however. Racing Bulls could choose to align its vote with its sister team, which is expected to oppose the change.
Racing Bulls could determine whether changes arrive in 2027
For James Vowles and the teams supporting the plan, the timing of any rule change is crucial. The Williams team principal ideally wants the revised financial structure introduced for the 2027 season.
According to the voting framework outlined for the proposal, making the change for 2027 would require FIA support, Formula One Management support and what is described as a super majority of six team votes.
With only five teams currently reported to support the proposal, Racing Bulls would therefore be required to join Williams, Audi, Aston Martin, Alpine and Cadillac for the change to clear that threshold.
If Racing Bulls instead sides with Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and Haas, the immediate 2027 proposal would not have the six-team backing required under that scenario.
Cost-cap proposal could still pass for 2028
Failure to secure Racing Bulls’ support would not necessarily end the proposal. The changes could instead be introduced for the 2028 season under a lower voting threshold.
For that later implementation date, the proposal is described as requiring FIA approval, Formula One Management support and a simple majority of four team votes. Five teams are already reported to favour the change, meaning the current level of support would be sufficient if those voting requirements apply.
That makes a 2028 introduction appear more achievable heading into the November F1 Commission meeting, even if Racing Bulls ultimately votes alongside Red Bull.
The wider dispute highlights how Formula 1’s cost cap can create different incentives depending on where each team sits financially as well as competitively. Williams and several midfield rivals see greater spending freedom as a potential route towards closing the gap, while Haas believe a higher allowance would do little for a team that is not already reaching the existing limit.
Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren have a separate reason to resist the proposal because it would give their rivals permission to outspend them. Haas’ expected decision therefore turns what might have appeared to be a straightforward split between the established leaders and the midfield into a more complicated financial and political contest.
The November meeting will determine how much support James Vowles can ultimately assemble. If the reported 5-5 division remains unchanged, Racing Bulls could decide whether the proposal has a path to 2027, while the lower threshold described for 2028 means the debate may continue even without its backing.
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