In a move that will surely be controversial, if not unexpected, the FIA have announced a budget cap of £40million per team for the 2010 season.
The previous figure of £30million has, as expected, been revised upwards, with further exemptions also permitted.
Those teams that sign up to the voluntary budget cap will be limited to that amount, but driver’s salaries, marketing and hospitality expenses, fines and penalties imposed by the FIA and, surprisingly, engine costs are exempt from the figure.
Also not included is the rather curious category of ‘anything teams can demonstrate has no influence on on-track performance’, as well as any dividends paid from profits gained as a result of participating in the championship.
Teams that opt to take up the cap will be party to relaxed regulatory restrictions, these including adjustable front and rear wings, a non rev-limited engine and unlimited testing outside of the season, as well as less restriction on wind tunnel usage compared to non-capped teams.
Sceptics will question how a team on such a limited budget could afford to test more than one on an unlimited one.
The FIA also announced the implementation of a Cost Commission that will oversee and monitor the budget cap.
An additional, and potentially equally controversial, announcement came in the form of a ban on refuelling during races from 2010 onwards, this cited as a cost saving measure, and the expected ban on tyre blankets and other heating devices, while the entry list has been expanded to allow 26 cars in the light of the recent flurry of interest from new teams.
It is well known that Ferrari, in particular, is opposed to any budget cap, and it remains to be seen what the reaction from FOTA, the teams association, will be.
Written: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:32:39
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