F1 proposal for extra payments for sprint races leads to suspicion among small teams

In recent months the Formula 1 organisation has set its sights on the introduction of sprint races. This should provide the extra spectacle the fans are asking for. The teams were sceptical at first, but Liberty Media is willing to go along with this plan.

The FOM has proposed to give the teams money for the extra costs incurred by the sprint races. According to Motorsport-Total.com this would amount to almost one million euro per team per race that falls outside the regulations of the budget ceiling. A considerable amount, which is also meant to cover the costs of extra unforeseen expenses. Two starts per weekend, for example, is twice the chance of a broken front wing.

One would think that especially the small teams would be happy with this proposal, but as is often the case in Formula 1, the situation is always more complex than expected. The small teams are afraid that the big teams can use the extra millions to further develop the car. Since Mercedes rarely did any damage in the front of the field, this is not an illogical thought.

Therefore a counterproposal is made whereby the teams have to report the damage after each sprint race and then the FOM, as if it were an insurance company, will compensate them for it. On most other points concerning the sprint races the teams are in agreement.