The FIA has clarified that it has no plans to introduce a price cap exemption for Ferrari in Components 1, even after granting an identical exception to Audi.
Beginning in 2026, the associated 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 world inflation.
Audi, set to enter F1 as a works group in partnership with Sauber, will function out of the Hinwil manufacturing unit in Switzerland, the place the price of dwelling is considerably greater than within the UK. In consequence, the FIA has accredited an extra value cap enhance completely for Audi, a choice that has sparked discontent among the many different 9 groups.
This exception has raised questions on whether or not Ferrari, at the moment the one group primarily based exterior the UK (previous to Cadillac’s anticipated entry), may also obtain an identical allowance. Nonetheless, FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has outlined the explanation why the Maranello group won’t be granted an adjustment underneath 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 may obtain an exemption, he emphasised that the main target 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 reaching the required stage of group help for changes aimed toward equity inside the extremely aggressive surroundings of Components 1. He concluded by reiterating that making certain equity stays a elementary 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 group. He additional assured that the FIA would keep full transparency with the opposite groups, addressing issues that any side of the method may be perceived as clandestine or unfair.
Nikolas Tombazis defined that the FIA acknowledged vital disparities in salaries and dwelling prices throughout completely different international locations, utilizing his personal expertise dwelling in Geneva for instance, the place even routine grocery store visits spotlight the problem.
He famous that underneath an equal value cap, a group 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 said, was basically 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 end result the FIA deemed unsuitable for a worldwide championship.
He outlined that changes to the monetary laws for 2026 would handle this challenge by factoring labor value variations into the associated fee cap calculations. Nikolas Tombazis defended the change as totally 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 could possibly be raised in regards to the equity of this strategy.
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