The FIA has clarified that it has no plans to introduce a value cap exemption for Ferrari in System 1, even after granting an identical exception to Audi.
Beginning in 2026, the 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 laws and addressing international inflation.
Audi, set to enter F1 as a works crew in partnership with Sauber, will function out of the Hinwil manufacturing unit in Switzerland, the place the price of residing is considerably increased than within the UK. Consequently, the FIA has permitted an extra value cap enhance completely for Audi, a call that has sparked discontent among the many different 9 groups.
This exception has raised questions on whether or not Ferrari, presently the one crew primarily based exterior the UK (previous to Cadillac’s anticipated entry), may additionally obtain an identical allowance. Nevertheless, FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has outlined the the explanation why the Maranello crew won’t be granted an adjustment below the revised value cap guidelines.
Nikolas Tombazis defined to pick 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 instantly whether or not Ferrari would possibly obtain an exemption, he emphasised that the main target ought to stay on nations with considerably increased labor prices, particularly citing Switzerland within the present context.
The racing automotive designer went on for 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 reaching the required degree of crew assist for changes geared toward equity inside the extremely aggressive surroundings of System 1. He concluded by reiterating that making certain equity stays a basic accountability for the FIA.
FIA Clarifies Choice on Ferrari Exemption
Nikolas Tombazis elaborated on how System 1’s governing physique arrived at its choice to grant Audi an elevated value cap, emphasizing that the transfer was primarily pushed by issues of equity towards the incoming crew. He additional assured that the FIA would preserve full transparency with the opposite groups, addressing issues that any facet of the method could be perceived as clandestine or unfair.
Nikolas Tombazis defined that the FIA acknowledged important disparities in salaries and residing prices throughout completely 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 value cap, a crew primarily based 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 acknowledged, was basically 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 laws for 2026 would tackle this difficulty by factoring labor value variations into the fee cap calculations. Nikolas Tombazis defended the change as fully 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 may very well be raised in regards to the equity of this method.
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