The 2022 Formula 1 season is mired in controversy even without the single-seaters having even set foot on the asphalt, with large-scale financial issues still to be resolved that only increase the tension between the teams.
Even though the regulatory revolution in Formula 1 it was postponed to 2022, at which time a whole new generation of single-seaters will star in the premier category of motorsport, the change introduced in the regulations already in 2021 that limited the downforce on the rear axle generated controversy on the grid.
The fact that this modification affected to a greater extent the teams with low rate, with Mercedes and Aston Martin as the greatest representatives of this philosophy, balanced the balance and gave Red Bull and Max Verstappen a chance to fight for both titles until the end.
However, another of the changes that also sparked debate was the introduction of the so-called rankings to sprint: a kind of short races located between qualifying and Sunday’s race that served to determine the starting order of the pilots in the ‘real’ race.
Evaluation… positive?
The truth is that most of the drivers positioned themselves against them, at least under the format introduced in this first year, although Formula 1 carried them forward on the grounds that the fans had enjoyed them more than usual.
This support served so that the continuity of the classifications to the sprint in 2022 it was studied and initially approved, going from having 3 events to 6, but the economic issue, once again, has wreaked havoc with disputes between teams that two months after the start of the 2022 Formula 1 season are still unresolved.
2021
- $450,000 for 3 events
- $100,000 for accident damages
The financing package of these races is the subject of discussion in this case, since the amount that the teams will receive in 2022 will be distributed differently from 2021, with a total amount from which Formula 1 has eliminated the additional 100,000 dollars that they previously contributed taking into account count the possible incidents on the track in these tests.
2022
- $500,000 for 5 events + $150,000 for each added event
$100,000 for accident damages
Therefore, the controversy is served: the big teams do not want to see their efforts to improve their general performance compromised with that initial half million, offering the option of increase the budget cap by 5 million, but the modest teams see this proposal as a cheap excuse to invest more in improving their rhythm and not in dedicating it to appointments at sprint.
2022 in oblivion, 2023 on the horizon
The problem does not end there: to change this rule with the year already started by any other intermediate proposal, a ‘supermajority’ in which 8 of the 10 teams on the grid voted in favor, something that seems extremely complicated given the reluctance of Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari (in addition to their client teams).
Zack Brown has come out in defense of this initial distribution model, discrediting those who intend to touch the budget limit, hinting that the classifications at sprint could be gone by 2022.
“We may not get it, which would be the most unfortunate thing. We will all face the same challenge. If there are more incidents, it is the same problem for everyone, and for me that is part of the sport. It’s about facing challenges, not ‘I just want to solve it by pulling out my checkbook’», explained the head of McLaren.
“One team in particular wanted the budget cap raised by $5 million, which was just ridiculous and not based on any rational fact. When you later dispute those facts, they tell you… ‘But you have to anticipate things just in case!’ it’s nonsense», he added.
So… 2023?
With the winter preseason still to go and team introductions to come, Brown isn’t sure what will end up happening. What the American leader is clear about is that he will not be the one who will give explanations to the fans if he finally proves them to the sprint they fall by 2022.
“I would like us not to find ourselves in the same situation as in 2022, where we have to get eight votes because we missed the deadline. I think we should go ahead and focus on this in 2023, without no budget cap increase, if you want to be hard on it, “he explained.
“It seems to me that a couple of these teams should explain to the fans why there are no sprint races”
In 2023, ‘only’ the support of 6 teams would be needed instead of 8, although at the moment everything is up in the air. “Maybe a compromise can be reached and it can be bumped up a bit so we can go ahead and start as early as 2022, or we skipped it. It seems to me that a couple of these teams should explain to the fans why there are no races at sprint», closed Brown.