Max Verstappen is not in favor of a salary cap for drivers in Formula 1. The reigning world champion does not see why “those who risk their lives” should be limited.
Formula 1 introduced a budget cap in sport for the first time last season. The teams were therefore allowed to spend ‘only’ $145 million during 2021. This year, that amount is 140 million dollars, in 2023 it will be reduced one more time to 135 million dollars. However, the budget cap has a number of exceptions, including the salaries of the drivers and the salaries of the next three highest-paid positions within the team.
Salary ceiling
The contrast in driver salaries is currently great. While one is now one of the richest in the world, another has to pay for his place on the grid. A number of teams and leaders within the sport are therefore arguing for a salary ceiling, which should be placed next to the budget ceiling. Apart from the fact that not everyone agrees with this proposal, it is also difficult to implement. For example, a number of drivers have already signed a contract for the coming years, with Max Verstappen as the leader. He has a deal up to and including 2028. That cannot be changed just like that.
“It is all still a bit vague,” said Verstappen at the press conference in Azerbaijan. “Nobody really knows where it will go, but from my point of view, it’s all wrong. Formula 1 is getting more and more popular at the moment and everyone is going to make more and more money, including the teams. Everyone benefits, so why should the drivers limited while we deliver the show and risk our lives. I think it’s completely wrong.”
junior classes
In addition, the reigning world champion thinks it would not be good for young drivers who are trying to work their way up in motorsport: “If you look at how many young drivers in junior categories have a sponsor behind them who will eventually receive an agreed percentage of their income “For example, in Formula 1, that’s going to be hugely capped because they’ll never get their money back. It’ll hurt the junior classes and I don’t think you should want that.”
