FIA President Discuss Removing F1 Cost C...read more

FIA President Discuss Removing F1 Cost C…read more

In a surprising turn that could shake the foundations of Formula 1’s financial structure, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has hinted at the possibility of removing the sport’s cost cap regulations—a move that would reverse one of the most significant reforms in recent F1 history.

Speaking during a motorsport forum this week, Ben Sulayem acknowledged ongoing debates surrounding the financial restrictions imposed on teams since the 2021 season. While reaffirming the FIA’s support for financial fairness and competitive balance, the president left the door open to “rethinking” how the rules function in a rapidly evolving F1 landscape.

“The cost cap has served its purpose in leveling the playing field,” Ben Sulayem said. “But nothing in Formula 1 is permanent. We have to be open to evolution if we want the sport to thrive technically, commercially, and globally.”

The cost cap, currently set at $135 million per team annually (excluding driver salaries and certain other exemptions), was introduced to curb runaway spending by top teams and give smaller outfits a fighting chance. However, it has also faced criticism for limiting innovation, slowing sustainable technology investment, and complicating team operations.

Insiders say some top teams—particularly those with extensive infrastructure and manufacturer backing—have been lobbying the FIA to either increase or scrap the cap. The recent rise in sponsorship, viewership, and calendar expansion has also renewed questions about whether financial restrictions still reflect the sport’s commercial realities.

Still, Ben Sulayem stressed that any major regulatory shift would involve extensive consultation with all stakeholders, including F1 management, teams, and fans. “It’s not about taking sides—it’s about making F1 stronger,” he added.

With new technical regulations already in development for 2026, the FIA’s potential rethink of the cost cap could signal broader changes to how Formula 1 is governed in the coming years.