McLaren: 'Budget cap created barriers for investing in sustainability'

The budget cap was introduced in 2021 and, despite some teething problems having to be ironed out of the new system in the initial period, all Formula 1 teams think it is a step in the right direction. Yet there is also a downside (still). Because teams are restricted in their spending, they cannot operate as sustainably as they would like.

All racing teams are required to implement a sustainability strategy, and this is also what they are assessed by the FIA. When a team receives a 'three-star environmental accreditation' from the governing body, they score maximum. All teams are working a lot to become more sustainable, but sustainability costs money and they would rather invest that money in car development.

"We strongly believe in the cost cap and wouldn't want to see anything that undermines its integrity. But current regulations have created some unintended barriers when it comes to investing in sustainability," Zak Brown is quoted by Sky Sports.

Well on its way, still steps to take

The McLaren CEO is delighted to see that Formula 1 and its teams are really behind sustainability and that the FIA has set up a working group to explore the next steps. "But to unlock our sport's potential to drive the development of more sustainable technologies that can spark positive changes on a global scale, we need a genuine step change."

The American hopes for a clearer regulatory framework with financial, technical and sporting rules: This should better enable teams to innovate and invest in sustainability without directly affecting the performance of the car on the track.

McLaren's sustainability report

McLaren Racing has today published its annual Sustainability Report.

The report aims to provide transparent, robust and comprehensive reporting on McLaren’s economic, environmental and social impacts in 2022.

You can read it in full here.

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 18, 2023