“The technical freedoms accorded to the low-budget teams will be adjusted from time to time to keep their median performance on a par with the median performance of the unlimited-expenditure teams. The regulations for the unlimited-expenditure teams will remain stable and fixed,” said a statement from the FIA earlier today.
FIA's president Max Mosley brought some further clarifications to how exactly the term “technical freedom” translates into F1 spending. In other words, what will be the benefits in terms of spending for teams adhering to the new budget-cap rule.
“A different (but standard) under body, movable wings, no engine rev limit, no restriction on the number or type of updates, no homologation requirements, no limits on materials, testing, simulators, wind tunnels and so forth - most of the cost saving measures introduced over the last few years will not apply to these teams,” added Mosley.
He also gave a short list of things that are to be included in the £30 million budget set for the teams in 2010.
“Everything except the motor home (if the team has one) and any fine(s) imposed by the FIA. All expenditure will be included, even the salaries of the drivers and team principal.”
“Measures to save money during the race weekend, such as the ban on refueling and the Saturday parc ferme, will apply to both categories of team. We are also thinking about a much bigger capacity KERS for the cost-capped teams. But all this must be covered by the £30 million - no exceptions and no free or subsidized outside help.”
“Anything supplied by another team or an outside supplier will be included at its full commercial cost except for items supplied to all teams at subsidized rates under the single supplier arrangements negotiated by the FIA (e.g. for tires), which allow all teams to benefit equally from reduced costs,” added Mosley.
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