McLaren CEO Zak Brown Accuses Some Teams of Holding F1 ‘Hostage’ Over Cost Cap

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has accused some F1 teams of lobbying for an inordinate increase in cost cap, citing fresh addition of sprint races as the reason. The Briton has been vocal about how the big players carry too much sway inside F1. This time again, he leveled a series of accusations on a few teams for spending their way to the top.

Since 2017, F1 made some remarkable changes, including a budget cap and measures to make prize distribution fairer than the existing system. They attempt to make the sport more competitive and financially viable. Five years down the line, disparities between the teams at the top and the rest remain. 

Mclaren had a strong 2021 season which saw them competing for wins and podiums, though not frequently. Six different drivers won a Grand Prix in 2021, a good sign towards a competitive F1 grid. With a major change in regulations, fans are expecting the midfield team to climb up the ladder, but Brown’s concerns suggest the opposite.

McLaren F1 boss Zak Brown accused some teams of lobbying

Mclaren CEO Zak Brown made a bold statement about the top teams, accusing them of indiscreet lobbying to increase the budget cap. According to an article named, “The Way Ahead”, published on Mclaren F1 website, Brown raised his concern on the same.

“Some teams still look for excuses to raise the cost cap and win world championships with chequebooks. The ongoing lobbying by certain teams to increase the cost cap for sprint race damage is a continuing example. The Saturday sprint race initiative by Formula 1 has added new viewers and raised the profile of the sport to expand its global fanbase,” said the Briton.

Brown believes there is no need for an extension in budget cap

He believes the teams don’t want to let go of their pocket advantage over others on the grid. The tool they’re using is the Sprint races, which, according to Brown, have shown very little data of wear and tear. So they do not necessarily need an extra budget, as per the man from Woking.

“However, these teams continue to demand a raise to the cost cap by an inordinate amount of money, despite the clear evidence that little damage was incurred during these races last year, in a thinly veiled attempt to protect from their competitive advantage being eroded.”

“The current governance structure of the sport enables a situation where some teams, to protect their own competitive advantage, are effectively holding the sport hostage from what’s best for the fans and therefore the sport at large. These teams seem unable to accept that a budget cap is in the best interests of the sport and cannot kick their habit of spending their way to the front,” added the 50-year-old.

The teams will be soon back on the grid for the 2022 winter testing. Can midfield teams like Mclaren climb up the ladder in 2022? We’ll know soon enough.

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