The FIA has clarified that it has no plans to introduce a value 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 rules and addressing international 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 residing is considerably larger than within the UK. Consequently, the FIA has authorised an extra price cap enhance completely for Audi, a choice that has sparked discontent among the many different 9 groups.
This exception has raised questions on whether or not Ferrari, at present the one group based mostly exterior 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 price cap guidelines.
Nikolas Tombazis defined to pick out media that the problem of wage disparities between groups is extra nuanced, because it includes contemplating the challenges of recruiting personnel from different groups, together with the upper prices related to such strikes. When requested straight whether or not Ferrari may obtain an exemption, he emphasised that the main target ought to stay on nations with considerably larger 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 problem of attaining the required degree of group assist for changes aimed toward equity throughout the extremely aggressive surroundings of Formulation 1. He concluded by reiterating that making certain equity stays a elementary duty for the FIA.
FIA Clarifies Determination on Ferrari Exemption
Nikolas Tombazis elaborated on how Formulation 1’s governing physique arrived at its determination to grant Audi an elevated price cap, emphasizing that the transfer was primarily pushed by issues of equity towards the incoming group. He additional assured that the FIA would keep full transparency with the opposite groups, addressing considerations that any facet of the method is perhaps perceived as clandestine or unfair.
Nikolas Tombazis defined that the FIA acknowledged vital disparities in salaries and residing prices throughout totally different nations, utilizing his personal expertise residing in Geneva for example, the place even routine grocery store visits spotlight the problem.
He famous that below an equal price cap, a group based mostly in a high-labor-cost nation like Switzerland would face an obstacle, probably having 30% to 40% fewer personnel engaged on the automotive. This imbalance, he said, was essentially unfair.
From the FIA’s perspective, Nikolas Tombazis added, such a scenario may 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 worldwide championship.
He outlined that changes to the monetary rules for 2026 would deal with this situation by factoring labor price variations into the associated fee cap calculations. Nikolas Tombazis defended the change as solely truthful 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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