Formula One driver salaries cap under discussion
Circuit aims to control costs in pandemic
A proposed cap on Formula One driver salaries is under discussion but still some way away, although teams are supportive of the idea, bosses said on Friday.
The idea has been bubbling away for some time and was put forward last Monday in a virtual meeting of the Formula One commission.
It proposes a US$ 30- million cap for teams to pay drivers, starting from 2023. They can spend more but the excess will come out of what will be a Us$135-million annual budget cap for all teams by 2023.
The budget cap, to be introduced next year at US$145 million before dropping to US$ 140 million for 2022, does not include driver salaries.
Mercedes’ six times world champion Lewis Hamilton is paid an estimated US$ 52.13 million but is about to negotiate a new contract from 2021.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner emphasized that nothing had been voted on regarding driver salaries, and contracts agreed before any change in the rules would need to be respected.
“There's no firm rules or regulations, it’s not been voted in, it’s not become part of either sporting, financial or other regulations,” he told reporters at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Italy's Imola circuit.
“Obviously, costs are sensitive for everybody at the moment and ... it got a reasonable response.
“We'll see where it goes, but it’s far from being a set of regulations because there’s all kinds of legal ramifications that need to be looked at — actually is it implementable?”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said it was an emotional issue. “Formula One teams, in order to be sustainable long-term and attractive sports franchises, need to show profitability like any other company out there and I think we all need to achieve that,” said the Austrian.
“On the other side, it’s clear that drivers, the ones that are in Formula One, are the best in the world and should earn high salaries like all the other top stars in sport.”
Hamilton said he had not been aware the subject was discussed this week and the delay in signing a new deal was nothing to do with that.
“It's a surprise for us ... I think it’s important that the GPDA ( Grand Prix Drivers Association) work closely with Formula One and get into discussions,” said the Briton.
Williams confirm 2021 lineup with Russell staying
Williams confirmed on Friday that Britain’s George Russell and Canadian Nicholas Latifi will continue to race for them next year, ending speculation linking the Formula One team to Mexican Sergio Perez.
Perez is leaving Racing Point at the end of the season, and Williams was seen as a possible destination for the experienced and well- funded driver, with Russell’s position called into question.
Acting team principal Simon Roberts had swerved questions about the driver lineup in Portugal last week, fuelling further speculation.
“I probably caused a bit of confusion last week, I’m sorry about that,” he told reporters before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Italy’s Imola circuit.
“We didn’t really want to comment on the driver position.
“Nothing’s changed and this is our driver lineup for this year and next year. We’re very happy with them and we look forward to working with them in a continued way.”
Roberts would not comment on any talks with Perez, whose best hope of remaining in Formula One now looks like Red Bull if they decide to replace Thai racer Alexander Albon as Max Verstappen’s teammate.
“It’s always nice to have stability, it’s never nice to hear any speculation that your job is potentially up for grabs,” said Russell.
“I had to do the talking on the track and as Simon says, I was confident nothing would change,” added the Briton, who felt much of the media speculation had been fed by those close to Perez.
Raikkonen, Giovinazzi staying at Alfa Romeo
Formula One’s most experienced driver Kimi Raikkonen and Italian Antonio Giovinazzi will race on for Alfa Romeo next season, the Swiss- based team said on Friday.
Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion who is now 41, holds the records for most races entered (327) and started (324) by any driver in the history of the sport and is the oldest on the starting grid.
The Finn showed in Portugal last weekend that he still has the fighting spirit, overtaking 10 cars on the opening lap. “Alfa Romeo ... is more than a team to me, it is like a second family,” said Raikkonen, who started out with the team when they raced as Sauber and won his world championship with Ferrari.
“So many of the faces that were around me when I made my Formula One debut in 2001 are still here and the unique atmosphere of this team is what gives me that extra motivation to keep going in what will be my 19th season in the sport.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in the team’s project and in what we feel we can achieve together. This is a team that values hard work over words and this fits well with my style.”
Giovinazzi, 26, will enter his third season in Formula One.
The announcement by the Ferrari-powered team before this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Italy’s Imola circuit leaves Haas as the clear destination for Ferrari Academy driver Mick Schumacher. The son of Ferrari great Michael is currently leading the Formula Two championship and Ferrari-powered Haas have two seats available.
Seven members of Racing Point team have had COVID- 19
The Racing Point Formula One team has had seven positive cases of COVID-19 this season, including both drivers and the team owner, principal Otmar Szafnauer said on Friday.
Mexican Sergio Perez, who missed two races in August, and Canadian Lance Stroll, who was ruled out of the Eifel GP at the Nurburgring this month, are the only drivers to have contracted the virus since the season started in Austria in July.
Stroll’s father Lawrence tested positive this month on the same day his son returned home to Switzerland from the Nuerburgring on Oct. 11.
“Two drivers and a team owner and a handful of other people that were tested at the factory and that’s it — so in total I think we’re seven,” Szafnauer told reporters at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Italy’s Imola circuit.
Sunday’s race is taking place without spectators.