Max Verstappen opposes the salary cap in Formula 1
With the implementation of the budget cap and the increasing concerns related to this new regulation, a new controversy arises regarding another proposal to cap driver salaries.
Many of the drivers in the 2022 season have opposed a proposed salary cap aiming to limit the salaries of drivers within teams. The motion aimed to reduce the maximum salary for both drivers combined per team to $30 million (€28.5 million), and this cap was supposed to take effect next year. The drivers have stated that it would be unfair to reduce their earnings given the growing popularity of the sport and thus the revenues for the FOM, FIA, and the teams.
Max Verstappen expressed his dissatisfaction on the matter, explaining: “It’s completely unfair because I believe that, at the moment, Formula 1 is becoming more and more popular and everyone is making more and more revenue, including the teams and all those who benefit from it. So why should the drivers – with their intellectual property rights and everything that goes along with it – be limited? Who is producing the spectacle and putting their lives at risk? Because that’s what we do, eventually. So for me, it’s totally unfair.”
Max Verstappen is currently the highest-paid driver by his team, with an annual salary of around 50 million euros. Other drivers like Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and Pierre Gasly share the Dutchman’s viewpoint.
