Brawn: 'F1 teams could run on half the money they spend today'

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Formula 1 sporting manager Ross Brawn believes teams could thrive on half of their budgets, and no one would notice.

Brawn is still in the process of defining the sport's future regulation platform from 2021, with Liberty Media planning to unveil its vision to the teams in the first half of this year.

Cost reduction will likely be at the forefront of F1's future framework as Brawn is adamant that reduced budgets are the only viable option to ensure Grand Prix racing's prosperity, even if it means a downgrade in perfection, which he would actually view as a positive.

"We could have a fascinating sport with highly complex cars for less than half the money spent today at the top. And no one would notice," he told Auto, Motor und Sport.

"Perfection and predictability kill the entertainment and the sport suffers.

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"The fact that hardly any cars retire during a race is a great technical feat, but unfortunately it does not tell any stories," he addeed.

"What a heartbreaking scene it used to be when a car stopped in the final laps."

Formula 1's elusive budget cap is also still in the cards, but its precise level has yet to be revealed.

"We have a number in mind, but I cannot tell you. It would be unfair because we're still in discussions with the teams," said F1's sporting boss.

As discussions among the interested parties continue, McLaren's Zak Brown is predicting fireworks between Liberty Media, the FIA and the teams, with Ferrari a major pawn in the game.

Brawn sees Liberty revealing its final plans for the post 2020 era "in the first half of the year".

"We want the races to be more entertaining and Formula 1 to be economically viable for all ten to 12 healthy teams," he said.

"And we need cars with which the driver can show his talent. The majority of the fans are fascinated above all else by the drivers."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.