McLaren demands immediate changes to cost cap rules for removal of ‘unintended barriers’

McLaren CEO Zak Brown pushes F1 to change its financial regulations to deal with a crucial aspect of the sport.


McLaren demands immediate changes to cost cap rules for removal of ‘unintended barriers’

Zak Brown (Image via Motorsport.com)

Formula 1 has targeted 2030 as the year when the sport becomes carbon neutral. Sustainability has been a key focus of the sport for years to counter the public image of a gas-guzzling spectacle. The 2026 F1 Powerunits will feature more electric component. Biofuels are also an option for the future. However, McLaren team boss Zak Brown has highlighted the need for provisions in the F1 cost cap.

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The Woking-based team released its sustainability report recently where it revealed its recent investments in this regard. McLaren have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 22% since 2019 while even switching to all LED lights in the McLaren Technology Center. Such results are certainly not cheap, especially in today’s era of the cost cap. Subsequently, CEO Zak Brown demanded a change in the cost cap

The 51-year-old acknowledged that the financial regulations are necessary and integral to the sport. However, Brown is convinced that the cost cap limited the scope of investments in sustainability as the team is forced to pick either such expenses or to develop its car. Zak said, “Current regulations have created some unintended barriers when it comes to investing in sustainability.”

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Zak Brown calls for action regarding the 2026 regulations

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, image via Autosport.com
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ( Image via Autosport.com)

The McLaren CEO appreciated the efforts F1 has put into being more sustainable in recent times. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has emphasized the need to reduce its carbon footprint before. Although, Zak insisted that as per the current regulations, teams do not get a fair playing field due to the cost cap mechanisms. Presently, teams do not get leeway in terms of sustainability costs in the regulations.

Brown demanded that the sport needs to consider such changes before setting the 2026 rules in stone. The McLaren boss said, “If we want to achieve a step change with the new set of 2026 regulations, then those decisions need to be made now.” Sebastian Vettel’s sustainable fuel supplier is in talks with F1 over a potential deal in the future.

Thus, McLaren is convinced that the real sustainability push in F1 will only take place when teams are given the opportunity to implement such changes. Presently, the tightly-regulated cost cap doesn’t provide provisions for these expenses. Brown will encourage discussions between the various stakeholders regarding the same soon.

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