F1 promises strong sanctions in the event of non-compliance with the cap budget

Centerpiece of the financial aspect of future regulations F1, the capped budget will come into force from 2021 and will amount to 175 million dollars (157 million euros), as announced for months. 

A tour de force that must be saluted even if the amount excludes significant expenditure items such as marketing, drivers' salaries, end-of-year bonuses, or even the three biggest salaries of the team. 

These 175 million dollars are also based on a calendar of 21 races, each additional Grand Prix resulting in an annual increase of one million dollars (897 euros). 

Described as a " major turning » in the history of sport by F1 sporting director Ross Brawn, this capped budget will be accompanied by an arsenal of significant sanctions. 

« We have been trying to introduce such a rule for years, without success, recalled the former Brawn GP team principal and Mercedes. The crucial element of these laws is their inclusion in the FIA ​​regulations. 

In other words, sanctions for non-compliance with the financial rules of the game will translate into sporting penalties, the degree of which will vary depending on the seriousness of the offense. 

Previously, we had an agreement in principle on a restriction of resources, a gentleman's agreement, but I am afraid that there are not many gentlemen in the paddock, hence the failure of the measure. 

This new regulation has the necessary tools to crack down. If you cheat and don't respect the capped budget, you will lose the championship. The consequences can be potentially serious ». 

To sanction, you still need to be able to identify possible breaches of the regulations. However, checking that a team does not exceed the budget ceiling is far from easy. Brawn wanted to defuse possible fears on the subject by assuring that the sports authorities will have the means to control the situation. 

« We have an excellent team of financial experts within the FIA ​​and F1 and we benefit from external support too, added the former technical director of Ferrari. The Deloitte firm specializes in sports finance; they are used to intervening in the world of football and we can see the positive impact they are starting to have in this area. 

These financial rules are quite well thought out but they will need to be refined, like any piece of legislation. I expect we will face difficulties in implementing these regulations but they are vital to the future of F1.

Budgets have continued to climb in recent years. F1 is almost a victim of its success in the sense that victories are so precious that they justify the massive investments made to achieve them ». 

Jean Todt, present via videoconference, recognizes that the sum of 175 million dollars remains high, especially in view of the regulatory exclusions, but the president of the FIA ​​considers that it is a “ first step " important.