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Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says Formula 1 remains “a “very expensive sport” despite the introduction of a budget cap next year.
Teams will only be permitted to spend $145 million throughout the 2021 season, which is set to be reduced to $140 million in 2022 before a further decrease to $135 million from 2023 to 2025.
The cap has been injected in order to save smaller teams from going bust by equalising the playing field and providing a stronger chance for more teams to achieve podiums and race wins.
MORE: Steiner: Eight races would be financially worse for teams than no races
When asked by Sky F1 if the budget cap will be enough for investors to stick around, Steiner said: “The proof is in the pudding and when we get to sign the new Concorde Agreement for the next five years we'll see if these people will stay in the sport.
“I think, if they were staying before, it's [F1] is a lot more interesting now. We need to push more so we can make this a break-even business at least going forward and that's one of my jobs to do for Mr [Gene] Haas, trying to get to the point where his investments are smaller.”
Steiner hopeful budget cap will mean new teams
F1 saw three teams (HRT, Caterham and Manor) drop off the grid in the last decade, while Haas is the only new private entry since 2010.
However, Steiner is hopeful that the budget cap will encourage new outfits to join the grid and expand the F1 field beyond its current 20 seats.
“For teams coming in, when the budget cap is discussed, there are always some people out there who think they can make money with it. It's still a very expensive sport.
“You still need to invest an awful lot of money to get somewhere. Manufacturers, I hope they see it and I think a good thing. If the board of directors see a cap, they know how much they can spend as a maximum.
“You start with one number and after five years this number says tripled or quadrupled what you said before. So now there is a stake in the ground saying 'This is the maximum you can spend by regulation'.
“It's pretty clear now but before it was 'How long is a piece of string? How much do you want to invest?' So I think it's a good thing and hopefully, we can get corporates or car manufacturers which would be best, to invest in Formula 1.”
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G. Zhou
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Replies (6)
Login to replymcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Perhaps its time for Haas to re-evaluate if F1 is the sport they should be participating in. Doesn't Indy, NASCAR accept new teams?
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Haas already has a NASCAR team
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
So, one of those Netflix star’s dramas.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I mean of course it is. And it should be. Now it's just more manageable. And sorry, but if HAAS ain't up for it, then it might be time to back out.
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
I hope they stick around - I mean, Steiner is box office, always a colourful chap, a man's man and a breath of fresh air.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
So do I, but I wish they'd shut up now and then on this kinda rhetoric. They've just managed to bring down the cost cap from basically infinity to almost what they usually spend, and to about 50% of what McLaren spent last year. If ain't cheap, will never be, but now it's affordableish again for any serious group.