FIA approves financial compensation for damage during sprint races

One of the stumbling blocks to the plan of a series of sprint races in 2021 was money. Because of the budget ceiling, the teams can't afford extra costs, so the FIA has come up with some 'allowence'.

After the crash of Valtteri Bottas and George Russell in Imola, the teams stressed again that damaging the car within the new financial regulations can have a big impact on the development of the car. Because the sprint races increase the chance of accidents the teams now have some extra room to spend money, reports Motorsport.com.

For participating in the three sprint races alone the teams can now spend 450.000 dollar extra. For every day that the 18 inch tires are tested 200.000 dollar and 100.000 dollar per car for possible damage during a sprint race. The 100.000 dollars can only be used when damage has been done and resulted in a retirement. In case of very heavy damage the FIA gives room to go over this amount.

The total amount spent on this can be deducted from the team's total expenditure at the end of the year, so that they stay within the 145 million dollar limit. Finally, for each sprint race another 100.000 dollar can be charged, but that is part of the commercial deal between Liberty Media and the teams.