Still significant disagreements among team directors regarding costs
The Friday press conference of the team principals was an opportunity to show the extent of the disagreements that exist between the different team principals. The world of Formula 1 is truly divided into two: those who are part of the Strategy Group and the others.
Thus, Cyril Abiteboul, the director of Caterham, did not mince his words when asked about last week’s meeting on cost reduction: « It was a good meeting. It’s always a good thing to get together, especially when there is an opportunity for all teams to be represented. It was clearly such an opportunity. We were therefore able to put our position on the table. When I say « our », it refers to the position of teams not part of the Strategy Group and who have fewer opportunities to express their viewpoint. I am therefore delighted to have this opportunity. Obviously, there’s still a lot of work, but I am nonetheless delighted. »
Franz Tost, the director of Toro Rosso, is in the ambiguous situation of being a representative of a team that is not part of the Strategy Group but at the same time is allied with it since Red Bull is part of it. Therefore, he expresses a viewpoint halfway between the two positions: « I think the system is fine. We have the Strategy Group, which works on our strategies and we also have the F1 Commission where we all have a vote. In any case, it ends at the World Motor Sport Council. So, for me, the system works well. »
When asked to summarize whether cost reduction was still relevant or not, the two sides clearly positioned themselves. Thus, Monisha Kaltenborn from Sauber, John Booth from Marussia, and Cyril Abiteboul from Caterham all aligned with Rob Fernley from Sahara Force India’s statement: « From our perspective, I don’t think the spending cap is dead. I think, as far as we’re concerned, it’s still in the FIA’s hands to push forward something that has been unanimously accepted. We will do our best to support other measures that go in the same direction but I think we need both. »
Conversely, Franz Tost was clearly opposed to his colleagues: « For me, the cost cap is dead because the top teams do not accept it. It’s also complicated for them since, as long as auditors cannot access the books, having a cost cap is useless. »
If this spending cap were to be adopted through sports or technical regulations, the deadline would be June 30. For Monisha Kaltenborn, this deadline is still relevant as it involves trust between the teams. Indeed, she does not fail to recall that all teams must submit their accounts to the authorities of their respective countries. She therefore believes that a spending cap is entirely feasible but that a control system is needed.
As for the possibility of involving the European Commission on the subject, the teams that are not part of the Strategy Group declare themselves calm, as Rob Fernley states: « Force India does not receive any subsidies. Therefore, no rules can be violated. It is the people who receive these subsidies who need to ask themselves that question. » On the other hand, Franz Tost was much less inclined to involve the European supervisor: « I think there is enough politics in Formula 1. We don’t need to add another political element. »
From our special correspondent in Barcelona
