Christian Horner addressed the media.
Formula 1 must not tighten the budget cap restrictions to the point that employees “bear the brunt of those changes”, says Christian Horner.
After introducing a budget cap in 2021, initially set at $145m in its inaugural year but later reduced to the current $135m, the FIA is presently examining additional elements that can be incorporated within the cap by 2026.
Red Bull: Employees must not ‘bear the brunt’ of 2026 cost cap changes
Additional reporting by Sam Cooper
The 2026 Concorde Agreement discussions have recently brought to light the intense debate surrounding maternity leave, which has become one of the most controversial aspects under consideration.
Reports suggest that the FIA was contemplating an increase in the cap to $220m, which would encompass additional items. Moreover, they were considering the removal of certain restrictions on capital expenditure.
However, the subject of maternity leave certainly garnered attention.
Horner has warned that teams’ staff members should not bear the cost of the cap, as it has been excluded from the final draft listing what would be included under the cap.
Comparing the morale boost of a Christmas party versus the need for a new front wing, the Red Bull team boss insisted: “It’s a matter of striking a balance.
In my opinion, it is crucial for 2026 to ensure that the employees are not burdened by the consequences of those changes.
There is a reasonable debate regarding what should be included, what should be excluded, and what is truly relevant to achieving good performance.
Can a Christmas party truly enhance the speed of your car, for instance?
“Now, assuming that the cap includes it, it is only natural for every technical director to prioritize a front wing over a Christmas party due to limited resources. Thus, finding a balance becomes crucial.”
Our technical director has a strong preference for front wings, not to say that he dislikes Christmas parties.
Finding a balance where employees are not negatively affected is crucial. Overall, the discussion has been highly productive and sensible.
“It’s about striking the right balance between exclusions and inclusions within that larger figure.”
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Bruno Famin of Alpine believes that instead of increasing the cap and the number of inclusions, Formula 1 should focus on simplifying the process.
The financial regulation process is quite intricate. However, by making certain adjustments in specific areas, we can potentially make it more manageable and simpler to handle.
On the other hand, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, the representative of Sauber, emphasizes the need for the 2026 budget cap to consider the “cost of living”. He points out that there are differences in operating expenses between teams based in England and those, like his team, situated in Switzerland.
He stated that the objective would be to steer clear of areas that could be interpreted differently by the teams, particularly in regards to the definition of F1 or non-F1 activities, which is a sensitive matter.
“The objective is to create fair competition, particularly in the car manufacturing sector. Therefore, all the knowledge and experiences gained over the years can be consolidated into the new regulation.”
“It presents an opportunity for each one of us to establish a well-defined structure. Particularly for teams like ours, it will be crucial to incorporate a factor that can bridge the gap in terms of living expenses, as there exists an evident discrepancy between the costs in Switzerland and other nations.”
My suggestion is that we initially place all teams on an equal footing, ensuring that differences in individuals’ abilities and the quality of their work are the only factors that determine success, rather than any other potentially detrimental influences.
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