The sprint qualifying cost debate is taking new turns every day. While most of the teams have already registered their concerns about the ‘extra funding’ for three races, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali thinks otherwise.
“We are confronting ourselves, the difference between qualifying with the fastest lap and the sprint race is not so great. Besides, the distance in terms of kilometers compared to the traditional weekend is more or less the same. If you ask for compensation for everything you want to prove, then it is unlikely that you will be able to make progress. I believe that you should never lose sight of the big picture. We are currently discussing the cost impact, but to be honest, the complaints are mostly coming from the big teams. I hope that a solution can be found soon, as regards the other aspects, everything is now defined ”, said Domenicali
Top team bosses like Totto Wolff and Christian Horner have earlier urged the F1 to compensate the teams for additional costs incurred to the extra races. Yet, there are teams that have hit out on Wolff-Horner’s argument in the wake of a $300-400,000 price-tag on the extra costs.
“You can’t make an invoice in advance,” Haas’ Gunther Steiner told a famous sport daily. “If everything goes wrong, Toto may be right with his estimate. But if you get through the sprints without damage (from contact or engine malfunction), it’s less.”
The F1 CEO, on the other hand, isn’t giving much thought to the whole argument. As per him, there should not be any special provisions to the $145 million budget cap for sprint qualifying races.
Stefano Domenicali and cost capping
Formula 1’s rules have mostly been laid out in two documents up until now: the technical and the sporting regulations. Yet, for the first time ever, the authority will govern the F1 teams on various financial regulations in 2021.
Discussing the figures, a $145million cost cap( $175 million last year) has been set in similar regards. The changes have been made here to lessen the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The current F1 calendar covers 23 races. So, the actual cost cap for every F1 team stands at $147.4Million( with a $145million cost cap applicable to 21 races in a year only). Still, given F1’s commitment to the Concorde Agreement, as many as 25 races can be facilitated.
So, to cover up the additional cost, the baseline amount of $145million has been adjusted accordingly. Besides, every team has to determine and report its costs to FIA. As every team requires to follow transparency on their costs, they can initiate further audits and investigations.
With the F1 cost cap in place, they have to compromise on the spares supply and aging of the parts. While this may not impact the safety of the drivers, it may bring teams to situations with tired components.
Still, as mentioned by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, discussions are in place to make every required provision in similar regards. Regardless of how fruitful and conclusive these discussions be, we will keep you updated with every single update right here at 7upsports. Stay tuned!
