The war in Ukraine could seriously impact F1

The war between Russia and Ukraine in recent weeks will have unprecedented economic consequences. The price inflation observed in recent days impacts everyone, even within the racing stables. F1. Some bosses are even wondering about the maintenance, already considered complicated, of the budgetary ceilings introduced last year with the sudden increase in the prices of energy and several other sectors. Christian Horner, boss of Red Bull, and Andreas Seidl, his counterpart at McLaren, even say they are ready to start discussions to assess the consequences of this significant increase in the cost of living.

“We are already observing it in air freight”

Since 2021, the ten teams that make up the F1 paddock have been subject to a strict budgetary ceiling, in order to limit expenses and promote equality between all. Decreasing year after year, the capped budget must not exceed 140 million euros per team this season, it will even be 135 million in 2023. But for several weeks in parallel with the war in Ukraine, the economic consequences of the acts perpetrated by Moscow saw a sudden and significant inflation in the cost of living. An increase that some are already experiencing, starting with Christian Horner questioned on this subject at a press conference in Bahrain:

“It is already a serious problem, we are witnessing very significant inflation in the costs of living, explains Christian Horner. What we must remember is that when we set the budget cap, in the middle of the pandemic in 2020, no one could imagine the circumstances we are currently experiencing.

What we are seeing now are prices that are only increasing and will take us towards record amounts. We are already seeing this in air freight. This is a problem we need to look at and solve because it can have a direct impact on people's jobs and living conditions. »

Same story from Andreas Seidl, the boss of McLaren, who was a fervent defender of the project at the time when discussions and negotiations began between the different teams on the content and management of these caps.

“It is important in this situation to use common sense with the addition of all this data that has arrived in recent weeks, specifies the German. It's important that we have a discussion about this and see what makes sense in the face of this.

We all have the same objective, which is to stay the course set, but with this new unforeseen situation, we are completely open to dialogue in order to find solutions and make changes accordingly, within the limits of reason and what is necessary. is possible to do. »

It is certain that we will hear about this problem again in the coming weeks, or even in the next few, knowing that the season begins this weekend in Bahrain. To be continued.