Red Bull to cap F1 drivers' salaries: 'Respect existing contracts'

In 2021 there will be a budget cap for the first time in Formula 1, which teams will have to take into account. The salary of the drivers is not part of this cap, but that is what F1 wants. Red Bull and McLaren have their own ideas about a solution.

Salary cap for F1 drivers

The budget cap of 147.5 million dollars limits the teams (especially the big ones) in how much they can develop. However, the big teams still have an advantage, because the salary of the drivers and the top of the staff does not fall under this cap. So big teams can spend their budget cap entirely on the car, and also pay their drivers a top salary.

''In principle we are in favour, but we have to respect existing contracts," said Helmut Marko about the possible cap on salaries for drivers. Franz Tost would be in favour of leaving driver salaries below the current cap, so teams have to choose between a strong driver or developing their car.

McLaren has an idea

McLaren is according to Auto, Motor und Sport also in favour of a cap on the salary of the drivers, but they don't want it within the existing budget cap. In that way an expensive driver would put the jobs of many people in the factory at stake. Teams would have to choose between the factory staff or the star driver.