F1 Commission details budget cap change and porpoising clampdown

Ian Parkes
Friday 8 July 2022 15:20 - Updated: 15:35

F1's 10 teams have been given a small reprieve on this year's budget cap following soaring costs that have placed them under pressure to hit the $140million target.

Many teams have complained vociferously of late that they will break the cap due to inflationary rises that have placed pressure on their business, notably in areas such as freight costs.

Following a meeting of the F1 Commission - comprising F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and senior representatives from all teams at the Red Bull Ring in Austria - leeway has been offered to address the matter.

A statement after the Commission meeting read: "Rapidly increasing inflation rates since the end of 2021 have affected Formula 1 teams, and it is the opinion of the FIA and Formula 1 that this creates a risk of non-compliance with the Financial Regulations if actions are not taken.

"Following consultation with the Financial Advisory Committee in recent weeks, the FIA brought a proposal to the Commission that was approved by the required majority, with support from the FIA, Formula 1 and nine of the teams.

"The proposal recognises the unexpected increase in costs incurred by teams in 2022, thereby permitting indexation at a limited rate of 3.1% [which takes into account the original 3% inflation threshold already set out in the regulations] and permitting compounding of this rate as from 2023.

"This will preserve the long-term integrity of the Financial Regulations."

Porpoising clampdown on hold until after the summer break

The Commission has also determined it is to place on hold the implementation of its controversial technical directive surrounding porpoising on hold until the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August.

The FIA originally declared that the TD announced in Canada - and updated prior to last week's British GP - which caused considerable consternation at the time, would be on hold until the French GP.

It has now been determined more time is required to allow the teams the opportunity to ready their cars to ensure they fall in line with the suggestions outlined in the TD.

The statement added: "There was a discussion regarding the draft technical directive that addresses safety concerns to the vertical oscillation [also referred to as porpoising].

"Following feedback and consultation with the teams and in order to allow the teams to make necessary updates to the plank and skid assemblies, which will ensure a fair application of the metric used to measure this oscillation across all cars, the implementation of the draft TD issued to the teams prior to the British Grand Prix will come into effect from the Belgian Grand Prix.

"The enhanced controls by the FIA introduced as from the Canadian Grand Prix will continue.

"Several proposed actions to address this issue in the 2023 technical regulations were also discussed, with clear directions to be taken to the Technical Advisory Committee."

With regard to the 2026 power unit, the Commission has confirmed "the package of regulations is close to finalisation".

One final determination is that there was a majority decision to allow pre-season testing "to take place outside of Europe, four days prior to the first event" of the 2023 championship.