Analysis | Divide in F1 growing as teams fight for crumbs

By totally overhauling the regulations for 2022, Formula 1 hoped to make racing more attractive. Indeed, there are more battles on the track, implying that the changes have worked. However, it has become apparent that the differences between the teams are starting to become fairly large, so points are hardly yielding their exciting battles to the smaller teams. As well, the recent races in Baku and Miami have been underwhelming, so frustration at this is slowly starting to mount.

It is an extremely handsome performance by Red Bull Racing. After five Grands Prix, the team of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez has already collected 224 points, more than double that of direct pursuer Aston Martin (102). Behind the green cars, Mercedes and Ferrari are relatively close. Four teams that call the shots in Formula One when it comes to distributing points. Behind them, the situation is starting to become dire.

Divide increasingly visible

More than ever, there seems to be a dichotomy in F1. If a Grand Prix goes 'normally' - and with the increased reliability of the cars this is often the case - the four top teams basically occupy the top eight spots in the final standings. Even if you've qualified reasonably well on the grid as, say, Williams. "In a race with no retirements, no rain, and no flags or safety cars, we weren’t able to hold our [high] position," said Dave Robson, technical manager at Williams.

The difference in quality is simply too great. After five Grands Prix, Haas, Alfa Romeo, AlphaTauri and Williams have collectively accumulated 17 points. Knowing that the teams before them are also busy with updates, it is likely to stay that way for the short term: these teams will take the occasional point, only if something happens at the better teams. "It’s a tough crowd out there," sighed Guenther Steiner of Haas F1 after the Miami Grand Prix, referring to the four top teams. "If nothing happens at the front then we’re fighting for the last points which are leftover."

Vicious circle remains in place

Of course, it can be noted that teams like Haas and Williams simply need to build better cars, attract better people, drive with absolutely top drivers. This does require money. Admittedly, Formula 1 has a budget cap, but that is what it says it is: a ceiling. It is the maximum amount that can be spent, it is not a certainty that all teams will actually get the allowed $135 million and thus be able to use it.

Teams are thereby dependent on sponsors - the most lucrative of which would rather be on the side of a Red Bull than an Alfa Romeo - and revenue generated from the pot Formula One Management (FOM) distributes annually. Not all teams receive the same amount, there is a distribution key in place: the better you perform, the more dollars are credited to the account.

The final amount depends on several factors, such as the final position in the Constructors' Championship as well as the number of points drivers accumulate during the season. So the latter is where the crux lies: if few points are collected, the yield is also less. Even worse: the money lost by, say, Haas or AlphaTauri goes to the competition that is already so strong. In other words, the Red Bulls and Ferraris of this world. In this way, a vicious circle is maintained.