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(Motorsport-Total.com) – Ferrari’s resistance to a further reduction in the planned budget ceiling for 2021 is causing Zak Brown’s emotional backlash. McLaren CEO assumes that Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto will close his eyes to the truth, and even explains that Formula 1 could survive without Ferrari if Binotto carries out his exit threat.
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Zak Brown mounts a frontal attack on Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto
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In a video conference with selected media, including a representative from ‘Motorsport-Total.com’, Brown clarifies that he is always “in favor of a healthy debate.” But: “The comments I read do not make sense, they contradict and do not represent reality with sincerity.”
The American obviously refers to Binotto’s comments published in The Guardian on Wednesday. The latter had indirectly threatened to exit if Formula 1 further reduced the current budget limit of currently $ 175 million a year. According to Binotto, Ferrari “does not want to get to a point where we have to consider other options” to do motor sport.
The Ferrari team’s press department practiced word disputes and corrected certain means that Binotto had never directly spoken of abandoning Formula One. On the contrary, he had made it clear that he did not want to get to that point. Every reader can get an idea of what Binotto really said.
Brown: surprised by Binotto’s statements
For Brown, it is clear what Binotto said and how he meant it, and the CEO of McLaren is shocked: “To be honest, I hardly have words to comment on that. I think we all recognize that we are in the most difficult part in this moment”. There is a crisis that the world has experienced in the recent past. Entire countries and industries are closing. “
The fact that Binotto warns of “hasty reactions” is a “crucial mistake in Brown’s eyes. Whoever says that, closes his eyes to the truth. I think almost all presidents, prime ministers or CEOs around the world are trying to make quick decisions to address this problem directly. “
One of the central issues that CFOs of Formula 1 teams are discussing in the wake of the crown crisis is the budget ceiling. This was decided for 2021 and is currently $ 175 million. Teams like McLaren are demanding a cut to $ 100 million given the dramatically poor economic outlook.
Others advocate a compromise. Mercedes, reports ‘F1-Insider.com’, can now imagine a maximum of 145 million. And the big three (Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull) agree relatively well that factory teams supplying components to other teams should spend more money than classic customer teams.
In the discussion, however, the crown crisis means tailwind for the McLaren side. “Ultimately,” says Brown, “the FIA and Formula 1 have to be behind this. But I don’t think they can shut it down and really veto it if there is enough agreement.”
If necessary, Brown suggests, Ferrari should be aware of the exit threat and jumped to the limit to save most other teams: “I would hate for them to drop out of the sport. I would hate that for any team.” definitely not what we want. “
McLaren: if necessary you can do it without Ferrari
“But I think the sport can survive with 18 cars on the field, and I’m pretty sure the other engine manufacturers could catch the two teams they are currently supplying,” said Brown of Ferrari’s Alfa Romeo customer teams. and Haas
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“On the other hand, if we set the budget limit too high and therefore disable those who can really imagine investing in Formula 1, then I don’t think Formula 1 can survive on 14 cars. 16 is difficult in the limit, with It is safe to go. Formula 1 can survive without Ferrari. I would prefer that he stay. The sport would be much better with them. “
Incidentally, the idea of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner (who supports Ferrari), instead of offering a lower budget limit for small teams, who can buy a full package from Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes Last year, Brown suggested as a suggestion “from the ’70s.”
“Formula 1 is about being a designer,” criticizes the client’s car proposal. “I also cannot understand how this fits in with other statements that a world championship for designers and technological development should be the DNA of Formula 1.”
And he sends an urgent warning: “We are in a situation where the future of Formula 1 is at stake if we resort to old patterns. On the other hand, if we look forward and follow the times, we can do it.” We not only survived the crisis, but we even emerged stronger from it. Then Formula 1 wins. Then we all win. “
