McLaren CEO Zak Brown estimates that half of the Formula 1 network will operate at the cost cap level after its launch in 2021.
F1 will introduce a $ 175 million cost cap next year as part of its efforts to close the gap between the biggest spenders and the rest of the network.
The cost cap, which will not include the salaries of drivers and the three lowest paid employees, as well as certain other exemptions, is still considered too high by several teams, including Renault and Racing Point.
Brown agrees with his midfielder rivals in this regard, but believes that the cost cap will always serve to level things out in his current form, as he expects five teams to spend at the limit.
“I think I would like to see the cost cap [at] which was originally proposed, but when you’re trying to get 10 teams together, there are obviously tradeoffs to be made, “said Brown.
“So I think it’s a great first step. I think we’re getting substantially spent. If you look at the order of the grid, it roughly matches who spends what.
“And when the cost cap comes in, I think you will have five teams running at the cost cap, and therefore anything can happen within those five.”
Brown recognizes that it will take a season or two for the cost cap to have a noticeable impact.
“I’m excited for ’20 but in reality the grid will probably be quite familiar,” he added.
“I’m really excited for ’21 because who knows what it’s going to look like.
“I think it will take a few years for the cost cap to have a real impact, because people are going to spend now on ’21.
“So I think it’s going to be ’22 or ’23 before I see the real impact of the cost cap.”
