The world of Formula 1 recently introduced a budget cap that should level the playing field. Additionally, the sport introduced sprint qualifying at the British, Italian and Brazilian Grands Prix. As teams saw that they could lose money by entering more races, they wanted to increase the budget. McLaren CEO Zak Brown reveals the bizarre demands made by one of the teams on the grid.
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The budget cap oversees how teams spend their money. For the 2021 season, it was $175 million. Given that F1 had created sprint races, teams wanted an increase in budget should anything happen.
Brown reveals the absurd increase in budget cap an F1 team wanted
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There’s no doubt that the budget cap hurt the big teams on the starting lineup the most. Therefore, when the sport offered to pay them an amount for the sprint races, one team in particular wanted more money as the budget cap for the upcoming season was set at $140 million.
Speaking to the BBC, Brown said: “Some teams, one team in particular, wanted a $5m budget increase, which was just ridiculous.
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’ve challenged them, they go to what ifs and coulds and you have to anticipate. They sit there and say, “That’s just nonsense,” Brown concluded.
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How have the McLaren duo fared this season?
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Lando Norris has been on the starting lineup since 2019, but his third season may have been his best yet. Last year he had only achieved one podium. 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.
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’ team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, on the other hand, had a disappointing season, with his win at Monza being the only highlight of his debut year with McLaren. The Australian finished the season in ninth place with 115 points. Overall, the team from Woking ended the season in fourth place with 275 points.
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With the new season just around the corner, what are your hopes and predictions for Mclaren? Let us know in the comment section below.
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