The FIA has clarified that it has no plans to introduce a value cap exemption for Ferrari in Method 1, even after granting the same exception to Audi.
Beginning in 2026, the price cap for F1 groups will improve 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 rules 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 dwelling is considerably larger than within the UK. Consequently, the FIA has authorized an extra price cap improve 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, at the moment the one crew primarily based exterior the UK (previous to Cadillac’s anticipated entry), may also obtain the same allowance. Nevertheless, FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has outlined the the explanation why the Maranello crew won’t be granted an adjustment underneath the revised price cap guidelines.
Nikolas Tombazis defined to pick 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 instantly whether or not Ferrari may obtain an exemption, he emphasised that the main target ought to stay on nations with considerably larger 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 help for changes aimed toward equity inside the extremely aggressive surroundings of Method 1. He concluded by reiterating that guaranteeing equity stays a basic duty for the FIA.
FIA Clarifies Choice on Ferrari Exemption
Nikolas Tombazis elaborated on how Method 1’s governing physique arrived at its determination to grant Audi an elevated price cap, emphasizing that the transfer was primarily pushed by concerns of equity towards the incoming crew. He additional assured that the FIA would keep full transparency with the opposite groups, addressing issues that any facet of the method may be perceived as clandestine or unfair.
Nikolas Tombazis defined that the FIA acknowledged important disparities in salaries and dwelling prices throughout totally different nations, utilizing his personal expertise dwelling in Geneva for example, the place even routine grocery store visits spotlight the problem.
He famous that underneath an equal price cap, a crew primarily based in a high-labor-cost nation like Switzerland would face a drawback, doubtlessly having 30% to 40% fewer personnel engaged on the automotive. This imbalance, he said, was essentially unfair.
From the FIA’s perspective, Nikolas Tombazis added, such a scenario might 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 rules for 2026 would handle this difficulty by factoring labor price variations into the price cap calculations. Nikolas Tombazis defended the change as totally truthful and emphasised that the FIA would improve 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 strategy.
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