The FIA president is considering scrapping the cost cap, which governs F1, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Introduced in 2021 to limit the amount of money each team can spend to a flat rate to try and close the grid up, the cost cap has been viewed as a key pillar behind F1 teams starting to become profitable businesses.
However, AP has reported that during the Miami GP weekend, Mohammed Ben Sulayem wondered whether the cap - currently set at about $140 million - should be scrapped as it is causing too many "headaches."
"I’m looking at the cost cap and it’s just giving the FIA a headache," he is quoted as saying by the AP.
"So what’s the point of it? I don’t see the point. I really don’t."
Ben Sulayem was speaking against the backdrop of a spat between McLaren and Red Bull over allegations of McLaren using water to cool its tyres, a trick Red Bull has long suspected.
However, no evidence has been found to support the claims, with McLaren effectively telling Red Bull to 'put up or shut up' and lodge a protest instead of making accusations about the MCL39's legality.
Tyre supplier Pirelli has indicated that forcing water through the tyre valve without being detected would be next to impossible, with such an action a flagrant breach of the technical regulations.
Ben Sulayem supported McLaren CEO Zak Brown's idea that if a team lodged a protest, the sum would be deducted from the cost cap pot, with it being returned only if the claims made were found to be true.
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on the biggest talking points from the Miami Grand Prix. Ferrari's radio tension, Oscar Piastri taking charge and Max Verstappen needing to change his McLaren approach are major discussions.
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Feersumenjin
This man has very clearly lost the plot.
Sonrisa
This is like when he was hyping V-10's
kotnaw
In what century is he living?
Aberama Gold
MBS will say anything to get people to do the impossible, and like him, with these pie in the sky comments.
Richard “Fozzy” McLaren
Scrapping the cost won't get anybody to like him, but that was almost certainly why he suggested bringing back V10s. He doesn't seem to really care about the health of F1,he's becoming more & more like a old man with dementia that just says random things that make no sense.
Richard “Fozzy” McLaren
I wonder if this psychopath knows he won't win another election if somebody (practically anyone) runs against him, and he is therefore intent on destroying F1 before he goes. Given some of his statements & actions recently, nothing would surprise me.
Aberama Gold
This psychopath is working behind the scenes to get as many people as possible on his side. I do agree that almost anyone (careful what you wish for) would be better suited for the job, whether it's Suzie Wolf, Carlos Sr, or someone else who doesn't have dreams of being a dictator.