'Worst case scenario, Formula 1 is no longer possible'

Formula 1

'Worst case scenario, Formula 1 is no longer possible'

Extreme budgets cuts would create an entirely different series

Sam Hall

Friday 3 April 2020 16:30 Updated: 16:29

FIA president Jean Todt has outlined a "worst scenario" for the future of Formula 1.

While there is considerable dispute amongst the teams over the budget cap set to be introduced in 2021, Todt has warned that should the sport start to lose teams, the FIA will step in with some draconian measures.

"Then we would have to pose fundamental questions with the owners of commercial rights such as: What should Formula 1 look like in the future?" Todt told Auto Motor und Sport.

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"In the worst scenario, Formula 1 as we know it today would no longer be possible. With a cost cap of $50 million, without exceptions, would be nothing as they were. It would be a completely new Formula 1. A Super Formula 2."

For 2021, the budget cap sits at $150m but includes a list of exemptions, not least the salaries of the drivers and those of the other top three earners within the team. Marketing and PR costs are also excluded.

It is reported Lewis Hamilton is on a basic contract worth £40m ($49.9m). If, as indicated, drivers salaries were to be rolled into a $50m cap, Todt's figure indicates just one of the difficulties teams would face.

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