Increase in the budget ceiling, ban on flat funds: the FIA makes announcements

On Friday, July 8, the third official meeting of the FIA and Formula 1 stakeholders took place. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem provided an overview of the 2022 season and the importance of this meeting by stating, “We are in the midst of a historic season for Formula 1, with the implementation of revolutionary regulations that have proven to be very effective so far, as demonstrated at the Silverstone Grand Prix, where many cars were battling for the podium until the end of the race. We will continue to develop these regulations in the right direction and we will also raise the bar in terms of safety.”

A budget ceiling adaptation

Main concern of the teams at the moment, the budget cap has been one of the major topics of this meeting. Growing inflation rates since the end of 2021 have greatly affected the world of Formula 1, creating a risk for teams to be forced to exceed the cap set since the beginning of the year.

In response to this crisis, the FIA has proposed a solution to the teams that has been accepted by the majority. This proposal recognizes the significant increase in costs and has decided to raise the budget cap. An increase of 3.1% per year has therefore been voted. To put it simply, the cap of 140 million dollars for 2022 is now raised to 144.3 million. This increase will be yearly, so the cap for 2023 will also increase by 3.1%, reaching 148.8 million.

Flat flexible funds permanently prohibited

Another strong controversy of recent days, the “scandal” of flexible flat floors. Rumors were circulating about the flexibility of Red Bull’s flat floor, as well as Ferrari’s. The FIA intervened, declaring that the elements belonging to the flat floor will no longer be able to have the same flexibility, making those of Ferrari and Red Bull illegal. [Link to article]

During the FIA meeting, the members discussed the implementation of technical guidelines aimed at reducing the vertical oscillations of single-seaters in order to protect the health of the drivers. The FIA confirmed the implementation of these new rules, thus sealing the fate of Red Bull and Ferrari. These new regulations will come into effect at the Belgian Grand Prix. It should be noted that the preliminary checks by the FIA, which began in Canada, will continue until Spa-Francorchamps.

A request has been made by several members to postpone the implementation of new technical regulations until 2023. The FIA has taken this request into consideration and will give its verdict later.

Pre-season trials elsewhere than in Barcelona?

The board voted by majority to authorize preseason trials to take place outside of Europe, generally 3 weeks before the start of the first round of the championship. These trials have been held so far in Barcelona, on the Catalunya circuit. The FIA has not provided further details regarding the tracks suitable for hosting these very important trials. Sakhir already hosts them just before the start of the championship, but other circuits may be involved. The local heat will be an important criterion in this selection.

The regulations 2026

No major announcement for now, but the council addressed the subject during this meeting. The FIA confirms that the finalization of the details is underway and that the announcement of the engine regulations for 2026 is coming soon.