Abiteboul doubts further reduction of budget cap "Is a challenge"

100 or 150 million

Renault's team boss lost an important member of the team this week. Daniel Ricciardo will be driving for McLaren from 2021. A financial advantage is that they no longer have to pay the Australian's enormous salary, although Abiteboul indicates that they don't have to worry about cuts at Renault. According to the Frenchman a further reduction of the maximum total expenditure to 100 million is a good thing, but if it stays at 150 that's not a problem.

"We have a comfortable position. We can cover amounts from 100 to 150 million. But we also have to be realistic. We know where we're coming from. But we also know where a few other teams are coming from. We have to take that into account. And the costs aren't just related to the financial rules. They also have an impact on the technology we use and promote in Formula 1," the team boss said to Auto Motor und Sport.

Is 100 million too little?

Because of the corona crisis, it is questionable whether the smaller teams will survive, hence the further lowering of the spending limit, although the costs will still be high according to Abiteboul and 100 million will not suffice.

"I think that with 100 million, without changes to the technical regulations, it would be a challenge. We must not forget the logistical costs. We don't know how the crisis will affect transport and logistics costs. Everyone has to take that into account. Even those who advocate such a radical budget cap."

More teams

Should the further reduction occur, it is still no guarantee that all teams will survive. Reason for choosing more teams in the future: "I have always said that I am in favour of a larger field, so that we are not dependent on a very small number of teams, manufacturers or suppliers. Diversification is a very important aspect. And this crisis shows us exactly that."

The Frenchman continues: "Hopefully we still have ten teams after the crisis. We need the budget limit. It will not only help the existing teams to get more equal opportunities. It will also attract new candidates, so we won't have to worry so much about the number of teams in a future crisis."

Director of Formula 1 Ross Brawn has indicated at an earlier stage that he is not in favour of more teams. Ten teams would be enough according to him. With the consequences of the current corona crisis, it could be that the Englishman thinks differently now.