F1 Budget Pot Boiling: Teams hot over 2-tiered cap

Ever since the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) published its 2010 rules for Formula 1 last week featuring a two-tiered budget provision, the teams' opposition has been growing right along with increasing intransience from the sanctioning body. Toyota and Ferrari have hinted withdrawal from F1. Other teams including BMW, Renault, Williams and McLaren have expressed opposition to the placement of the budget cap and details of its implementation.

The 2010 rules as published by the FIA feature a $60 million budget cap for F1 teams, not to include driver salaries, marketing, engines or fines (a source of governing body income much akin to a south Georgia speed trap.) Teams that operate under the budget cap will be allowed technical advantages such as adjustable wings, no engine rev limit, unlimited off-season track testing and unrestricted wind tunnel testing.

The two teams with virtually unlimited operating funds - Toyota and Ferrari - oppose any budget restrictions at this point. Most of the other teams favor cost-cutting measures but find the proposed $60m cap too low, too soon. Given current feelings among the teams, a compromise featuring a phased-in budget cap seems attainable.

So far, F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has been unable to smooth some seriously ruffled feathers. The way the current F1 season is playing out has put the stamp of reality on what a technical advantage can mean to a team. The major difference between comparatively underfunded, but nonetheless dominating Brawn GP racecars and those of massively funded Ferrari is in the rear diffuser. In such a competitive series, a seemingly small technical leg up has had a stunning effect on the championship.

It is no secret that the FIA under the leadership of Max Mosley would prefer more control over engineering development with noises of spec pieces - like the engine control units now supplied by McLaren Electronics - constantly in the wind. Today, we have the FIA and the F1 teams once again posturing over control. Compromises must and will be made.

In the meantime, the American F1 team of Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor has started operations from a shop in Charlotte, NC, and has funding for 2010, based on some budget cap - now or in the immediate future. Several other U.S. racing teams - rumored to be Penske and Andretti-Green - are taking a look at an F1 program based upon a budget cap as are several running F1's undercard - GP2.