Max Verstappen: Formula 1 world champion says introducing salary cap for drivers would be ‘completely wrong’

Max Verstappen: “That’s completely wrong because I think at the moment F1 is becoming more and more popular and everyone is making more and more money.” ; watch the Azerbaijan Grand Prix live on Sky Sports all weekend, with Sunday’s race starting at 12pm

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has said introducing a salary cap for Formula 1 drivers would be “completely wrong”.

The sport introduced a budget cap at the start of the 2021 season, which has been lowered slightly for 2022 to limit teams spending $140m (£119m) on their campaigns, but driver salaries are not there. are currently not included.

However, there has been speculation in recent weeks that discussions are underway about the possibility of incorporating more elements into the ceiling.

Such a change could impact drivers like Verstappen, who recently signed a five-year contract extension with Red Bull – worth an estimated £40m – which keeps him tied to the team until further notice. in 2028.

“Everything is still a bit vague. I don’t think anyone really knows where this is going to take us,” Verstappen said on Friday ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan GP in Baku.

“But from my side it’s completely wrong because I think at the moment F1 is becoming more and more popular and everyone is making more and more money, including the teams, F1 (owners ) – everyone benefits.

“So why should drivers, with their intellectual property rights and all, be capped, who bring the show and put their lives on the line, because we do. So to me, that’s completely wrong.”

Verstappen, who leads the world championship after winning his maiden title last season, added that the introduction of a salary cap could also have a negative impact on drivers in motorsport’s junior categories, who often rely on sponsors or funders to support their careers.

“Across all junior categories, if you see how many of these drivers have a sponsor or support, who will end up having a certain percentage of their income in F1 or elsewhere,” Verstappen said.

“I think it’s going to limit that a lot because they’ll never get their cash back if you get a cap. So it’s going to hurt all the junior categories as well and I don’t think you want that.”

More soon…