via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit – Portimao, Portugal – April 30, 2021 McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown talks in the Team Principals Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit – Portimao, Portugal – April 30, 2021 McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown talks in the Team Principals Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
The world of Formula One recently introduced a budget cap that was meant to level the playing field. Additionally, the sport also introduced sprint qualifying at the British, Italian, and Brazilian Grand Prix. Seeing that teams could lose money by participating in more races, they wanted an increase in the budget. McLaren CEO Zak Brown reveals the bizarre demands made by one of the teams on the grid.
The budget cap monitored how teams were spending their money. For the 2021 season, it was $175 million. Seeing that F1 had created sprint races, teams wanted an increase in the budget in case something happened.
Brown reveals the absurd increase in the budget cap that one F1 team wanted
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There is no doubt that the budget cap hurt the big teams on the grid the most. Hence, when the sport offered to pay them an amount for the sprint races, one team particularly wanted more money, as the budget cap for the forthcoming season was set at $140 million.
Speaking to BBC about this, Brown said, “A couple of teams, and one team in particular, wanted a $5m budget cap increase, which was just ridiculous.
via Imago
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 26, 2021 McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown during the press conference FIA/Handout via
“And no rational facts behind it. When you challenged them, they go to what if and could and you’ve got to anticipate. You sit there and go ‘This is just nonsense,” Brown concluded.
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How did the McLaren duo perform this season?
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Lando Norris has been on the grid since 2019, but his third season was perhaps his best to date. The previous year, he had only one podium finish. In 2021, the 22-year-old had four podiums and one pole position under his belt. With 160 points, he finished sixth in the drivers’ standings.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – November 20, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo during qualifying REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Norris’ teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, on the other hand, had a disappointing season, with his victory at Monza being the only highlight of his debut year at McLaren. The Australian finished the season in ninth place in the standings with 115 points. Overall, the Woking-based outfit finished fourth in the season with 275 points.
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With the new season just around the corner, what are your hopes and predictions for the Mclaren? Let us know in the comments section down below.
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