The FIA presidential elections are due to take place later this year, and the current president is under threat. Mohammed Ben Sulayem is due to go head-to-head with former Rally World Champion Carlos Sainz Sr.
Ben Sulayem will be looking for votes before the election in December this year, as his current regime has not been popular. One subject he is keen to tackle is the F1 cost cap. This policy has caused the FIA a “headache” and Ben Sulayem is considering scrapping it.
Current FIA President looks to remove the F1 cost cap
The FIA introduced the cost cap to limit the amount of money the teams could spend. The top teams, like Mercedes, could throw much more money at the cars than the smaller teams. This was an attempt to close the grid up, as they could all only spend the same amount.
Carlos Sainz Sr. Eyes FIA Presidency as Potential Successor to Mohammed Ben Sulayem
However, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem dislikes the cap. The Associated Press quoted him as saying: “I’m looking at the cost cap and it’s just giving the FIA a headache. So what’s the point of it? I don’t see the point. I really don’t.”
If the rest of the FIA agrees with this sentiment, Ben Sulayem could be considering this to win votes at the upcoming election. The cap is currently $ 140 million, but the real question is whether the cost cap is working.
Is the cost cap working in its current structure?
The F1 cost cap includes all expenses related to the car’s performance. All car parts are included in the cap, minus the engine. The cap also covers all expenses for repairing or replacing damaged car parts.
The issue comes with the teams’ salaries minus the top three earners being included in the cap. This leads to most F1 teams not being able to spend big on the minds in the sport. With designers and engineers not being offered lucrative contracts, they will be tempted by other motorsports that don’t have caps. It is preventing the teams from hiring the top engineering talent.
EXPLAINED: F1 Cost Cap and Everything That is Included in it
The caps should be restructured, meaning salaries are not covered. The cap should cover research and development, and the cost of designing and manufacturing. This would help keep the best of the best at the pinnacle of motorsport.
