Max Verstappen Slams F1 Salary Cap Idea: “Its Completely Wrong”

Within the paddock, the topic of including a salary cap among the drivers has taken center stage. If the FIA implements this, it could, of course, affect the drivers. Max Verstappen, who has just signed a huge contract with Red Bull until 2028, believes that introducing salary cap is a disadvantage to the sport.

F1 introduced a budget cap in 2021 and the spending limit has significantly reduced this year. As a result, teams are struggling, but drivers have an exception in that regard.

Speaking on salary cap, Verstappen said, “But from my side, it’s completely wrong because I think at the moment F1 is becoming more and more popular and everyone is making more and more money, including the teams, F1 [owners] – everyone is benefiting,”

“So why should the drivers, with their IP rights and everything, be capped, who actually bring the show and put their lives at risk, because we do. So for me, it’s completely wrong.” 

Besides this, the Dutchman believes it will affect the drivers in junior categories. F1 is a sport where massive money is invested and so a salary cap could harm the sponsorships.

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He added, “In all the junior categories if you see how many of those drivers have sponsor or a backer, who eventually will have a certain percentage of their income in potentially F1 or wherever.”

“I think it’s going to limit that a lot because they will never get their return in money if you get a cap. So it will hurt all the junior categories as well and I don’t think you want that.”

Sebastian Vettel joins Max Verstappen in criticizing the salary cap

Like Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel implied that a cap on drivers’ salaries would be bad for the sport. With Formula 1’s popularity and viewership on the rise, the sport is also witnessing a huge influx of revenue. So, according to the German, the teams are simply looking to earn more profits.

The four-time world champion stated, “Isn’t it a funny coincidence that it’s the first time that teams can actually make money with racing in Formula One and something like the salary cap for drivers pops up, isn’t it funny.”

READ MORE: What Is the F1 Drivers’ Salary Cap?

There are massive debates in the paddock and among the media on whether salary caps should be introduced. However, with several drivers opposing this idea, the FIA will be wary of implementing this decision against the drivers’ opinion.

With that in mind, where do you stand on salary caps in F1? Let us know in the comments.