The FIA has clarified that it has no plans to introduce a price cap exemption for Ferrari in Components 1, even after granting an analogous exception to Audi.
Beginning in 2026, the price 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 world inflation.
Audi, set to enter F1 as a works crew in partnership with Sauber, will function out of the Hinwil manufacturing facility in Switzerland, the place the price of residing is considerably greater than within the UK. In consequence, the FIA has authorized a further 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 analogous allowance. Nonetheless, FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has outlined the explanation why the Maranello crew is not going to be granted an adjustment below the revised value cap guidelines.
Nikolas Tombazis defined to pick out media that the problem of wage disparities between groups is extra nuanced, because it entails 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 focus ought to stay on international locations with considerably greater labor prices, particularly citing Switzerland within the present context.
The racing automobile designer went on as an instance 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 stage of crew assist for changes aimed toward equity throughout the extremely aggressive surroundings of Components 1. He concluded by reiterating that guaranteeing equity stays a basic duty for the FIA.
FIA Clarifies Determination on Ferrari Exemption
Nikolas Tombazis elaborated on how Components 1’s governing physique arrived at its determination 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 keep full transparency with the opposite groups, addressing considerations that any side 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 totally different international locations, 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 a drawback, probably having 30% to 40% fewer personnel engaged on the automobile. This imbalance, he acknowledged, was essentially unfair.
From the FIA’s perspective, Nikolas Tombazis added, such a state of affairs 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 world championship.
He outlined that changes to the monetary laws for 2026 would tackle this problem by factoring labor value variations into the price cap calculations. Nikolas Tombazis defended the change as totally honest 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 might be raised concerning the equity of this method.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
