Could this be the biggest change in Formula One to date? In a letter to all Formula One teams from the FIA, the 2009 budget cap has been announced, standing at €175 million (£140,000 approx).
This amount will not include spending on engines, KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery) systems—which allows for driver to draw an extra 60kW’s to boost overtake speeds, marketing and salaries.
The FIA hope this will make teams more competitive and allow customer cars such as Prodrive to re-enter the F1 scene.
The response from team bosses has been fairly positive, with Mclaren’s Ron Dennis stating "I don't see a budget cap as a regulatory process—more the application of common sense”. Renault’s Flavio Briatore believes the budget cap will not effect the Renault team too much as he already spends 40 percent under the proposed cap. (Could this be the reason why Renault are so slow?)
However, I don’t feel the FIA are doing this to encourage customer cars. Why would they ban the use of manufacturer engines in customer cars? The real reason is to stop the teams with the biggest budgets winning all the time.
I'm all up for more overtaking, but isn’t Formula One about glamour, expense and exclusivity? I think this new regulation could take a certain shine off the great sport.
Is F1 going to become more exciting with the introduction of a budget cap, in conjunction with the new aerodynamic ban also set for 2009? What do you think?
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4 months ago
There is a lot set to change in this sport and personally it makes me nervous for the good of the sport ... Budget caps and aerodynamic changes and engine regulations ... I think they are changing too much at once and I feel it could only take the sport back rather than forward ...
4 months ago
Yep I absolutely agree with you ben. I think the aerodynamical changes for 2009 are a great idea, hopefully improve the watch-ability of the sport, but the budget cap shouldn't be implemented at the same time as another huge change in the sport.
4 months ago
RYAN
very interesting - I actually think exactly the opposite, its about time F-1 goes green with the KERS system ... I mean, if the pinnacle of motor-sport is not economically and environmentally sustainable, its setting such a bad example
I do see your point of undercutting finance - leads to cutting edge gizmos not being used anymore, but thats needs to change now does'nt it
because in conjunction with your argument - efficiency and performance are mutually exclusive, but it is not -
good one mate -
from 4 months ago
Cheers for the comment Lights.
totally agree with your point about environmentally sustainable but the KERS system which saves energy when braking - although its helping the environment which is great, and is the first step in F1 cars becoming hybrids which is actually a new regulation for 2013, it actually cost the teams and the FIA tens of millions of pounds to create and more to implement next year, which is why a budget cap is going to restrict how environmentally the cars can become, because it costs vast amounts to make cars 'green'.
4 months ago
Ryan - any thoughts on the moscow final ?
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