Why Racing Bulls are key to James Vowles’ cost cap vote

Williams boss James Vowles has been pushing for Formula 1 to adjust the cost cap rules to close the gap between the ‘top four’ teams and the rest of the paddock.

Currently, the F1 cost cap is set to $215 million (£170m), but Vowles feels that figure should be a sliding amount for teams towards the back of the grid, so that they can invest in infrastructure to catch up to the already established elite.

Racing Bulls are key to the cost cap vote, as Vowles needs six votes from the 11 teams to get a ‘super majority’ and push the changes through in 2027.

All eyes are on whether Racing Bulls sides with the ‘elite’ and sister team Red Bull to keep the midfield teams from investing, or if they put their own self-interest at heart and vote alongside Williams and Vowles.

If the cost cap changes are refused, it would benefit Red Bull by cementing their status as a top team and denying challengers like Williams, Aston Martin and Cadillac from catching up. But if Racing Bulls want to be competitive themselves, it is a rule change that absolutely favours them and their own project.

James Vowles urges Alan Permane to ‘talk up’ on cost cap

“You’ve summarised brilliantly why I’m talking up about this, and why I think Alan Permane should talk up about this as well,” Vowles said.

“Before the cost cap came in, there were more points scored by the teams that weren’t the top four teams, quite a bit more points actually. Back then, about 10 percent of podiums were scored by teams from P5-P10. Now it’s 5 percent.

“There has been one winner in 130 Grands Prix that wasn’t a top four team. And, by the way, that was my mistake. My point is, what we have done with cost cap is make it better for the top four teams. The gap to the rest of us is bigger than it has ever been before.

“I think Zak [Brown] has been very pragmatic about being open to ideas. I think Zak and Toto [Wolff], number one, will always protect their team and their brand. What I’m asking them is to answer a very high-level question.

“Is the sport a healthier place if you can’t predict what will happen on any given Saturday or Sunday? At the moment, the top eight cars are predictable, and that isn’t healthy.”