Briatore concerned by budget rule

Renault managing director Flavio Briatore has expressed concern at new rule changes intended to limit spending by Formula 1 teams.

From 2010 there will be an optional budget cap of £30m, with teams within the cap allowed more technical freedom.

But Briatore believes the budget should not be a priority, saying: "F1 should have the same car, the same rules, then the budget can be discussed.

"We need stability, the changes are a bit of a shock."

If teams choose to set their own budget they will have to operate within more restrictive technical rules and therefore theoretically have a slower car.
The budget cap is an attempt to make F1 more accessible to new teams and the new rules, approved by the World Motor Sport Council of governing body the FIA, could reduce some teams' spending by 90%.

But Briatore claimed that cutting costs in Formula 1 is a complicated business.

"This will need us to really sit together (with the FIA) to understand because the team already did a big job to try and reduce the cost," he told the BBC.

"Formula 1 is very complicated, you try reducing the cost and instead of reducing it the cost goes up.

"The financial crisis makes everyone worried and we need Formula 1 to be more efficient but sometimes we are not happy with the sentences that are imposed."

Briatore backed the job Renault and other teams have already done to cut back on spending but admitted large scale changes will take time.

"The teams have already done an incredible job for 2009 and 2010. We will do everything possible for 2011 and 2012 but it is not possible to change the world in one week."

The F1 teams association (Fota) expressed "disappointment and concern" at the financial changes.

However, Briatore reacted more favourably towards changes to the scoring system which will see the driver with most wins crowned 2009 champion.

"I don't have any problem regarding the new scoring system. I think it's an extra motivation for a driver to do their best, which is winning.

"Formula One is all about winning and overtaking and, if this is extra motivation, I believe we are going the right way," he said.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk

Archive