Horner: F1 must not become an “accounting championship”

Going from 130.5 million euros to 126 million in 2022, the budget cap is already causing major concerns for some teams. The increase in freight prices and global inflation are to blame. According to Christian Horner, the end should not turn into a financial battle: “It has been quite challenging in certain areas, but I think these new rules will make Formula 1 better, although there are still some details to be worked out. It is a very technical set of regulations, and it is inevitable that there will be elements that were not taken into account in this very young regulation. It needs to clarify things.”

Unfortunately, I think these [controversial issues] are almost inevitable. I hope we won’t end up in an “accounting championship” instead of deciding all of this on the track. We will need to refer to the governing body. There are a number of rules that we have signed and must adhere to. But it’s complicated and there are different structures. There are teams within organizations and car manufacturers. We will need to rely heavily on the FIA to ensure proper control [of budgets].

Many questions arise about the upcoming years, especially regarding the changes in engine structures in 2026 according to Horner: « There is nothing cheap about it. And this is what then puts artificial pressure on financial regulations. We will end up with more people in our finance department than in the design office. And what we don’t want to see is Formula 1 becoming a world championship of accounting, you know, rather than a technical or sporting championship. We must find a fair balance and review certain fundamental principles, including why does the construction of these cars cost so much? »

According to Andrew Shovlin, Chief Race Engineer at Mercedes, the budget cap can be beneficial: « There is no doubt that a well-thought-out cap can be beneficial for the sport. And it needs to be achievable. But if you look at the current situation, the budget limit on the chassis side has been introduced and at the moment, it is very difficult to see how it will work in the current climate. So, although these topics are very useful and they are on the agenda for very good reasons, the most important immediate problem is… We have to prove that we can have a cap that works for the teams and for the sport. And from my point of view, that would be the priority. »

The race for development is inherent in Formula 1, and many key actors in the sport are concerned that the budget cap will tarnish the sport by reducing the potential of the cars. But given the current global climate and the stakes of Formula 1, allowing teams free rein is not the solution for fair and sustainable competition.