$140 Million Hurdle Threatens F1 Teams as Endurance Takes Major Hit

The budget cap for 2022 is causing issues for the F1 teams this season. While teams such as Red Bull and McLaren have complained about the budget cap and requested the FIA ​​to increase the limit from $140 million, constructors like Alfa Romeo and Alpine are fine with the limitations.

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F1 journalist Lawrence Barretto tweeted that Vasseur has revealed to him they have stopped their development program for the 2022 season.

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Alfa Romeo had planned to introduce a new front wing for Silverstone but Vasseur told me they stopped working on the program because of increased costs elsewhere, in areas such as freight. Budgets are tight everywhere on the grid this year. #F1

— Lawrence Barretto (@lawrobarretto) June 25, 2022

He cited the increase in the cost of freight as one of the reasons behind his decision to work under the budget cap. The team will bring a new front wing to the British Grand Prix this weekend and nothing else.

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Yet Vasseur is in support of having a budget cap in F1. He believes teams can work under the budget cap if they plan the development of their car properly.

Alfa Romeo F1 team boss comments on the Budget Cap restrictions

Fred Vasseur mentioned they would adjust themselves and their development according to the budget cap. The Alfa Romeo team principal even commented on how they will work to compensate for the budget cap and advised the other teams to do the same.

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Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, ​​Spain – May 7, 2021, Alfa Romeo Racing Team Principal Frederic Vasseur talks in the Team Principals Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALE. NO ARCHIVES

“The difference is that we are not speaking about the budget cap, we are speaking about the budget on our side. I won’t be able to overspend what I have, and if we have some increase, I can understand their situation.”

“But if we have some increase in energy or freight, the solution is to switch off the wind tunnel and stop bringing updates every single weekend. We are in the situation where sooner or later we have to stop the development of the car, because we will be at the limit of our budget, and I think everybody can do the same,” said Vasseur.

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Alfa Romeo is one of the smaller teams on the grid in terms of infrastructure in their factory. As they will have to manage their upgrades carefully to limit their spending in 2022, it will be interesting to see how they go about this season.