Brown: New era of F1 plays to McLaren's 'sweet spot'

McLaren boss Zak Brown believes the Woking-based outfit is set to benefit from the introduction of Formula 1's budget cap and the upcoming changes to the sport's governance.

Ahead of next year's all-important regulation overhaul that will usher in a new era for F1, teams will see their spending regulated this season based on a $145 million cost cap threshold.

The financial constraint is a first in F1 history and aims to help level the playing field among competitors in the coming years.

But changes to the sport's governance - the rules and processes by which decisions are carried out - are also expected to improve the balance of equality between teams.

While the changes will hopefully benefit Formula 1 overall, Brown sees the developments also playing to McLaren's strengths.

"The new era of Formula 1 plays right into our sweet spot," Brown told Motorsport.com. "The budget cap, we’ve had to reduce our spend a bit, but not to the same level as the other three that were significantly outspending us.

"The governance is better, it gives more power to Formula 1 and the FIA as opposed to the teams, because the teams with all the political power, with the previous governance, were able to better keep things shaped around their agenda. I think that gets neutralised.

"The revenue distribution didn’t make a big difference to us, but it’s going to make the sport more competitive. While we now have the ability to now be a big team, because we’re running at the budget cap, it's also brought more competition from behind.

"We now have a better shot to catch the guys in front of us, but we need to pay attention."

• Read also: McLaren says Formula E endeavor linked to 'mandatory' cost cap

Brown believes the budget cap will put "six or seven teams" on the same spending level, a parity that should enhance the competition according to the American and help F1's midfield outfits spring some surprising performances.

"Effectively, you’ve got six or seven teams that are all going to run at the budget cap," he said.

"AlphaTauri is very well funded. They kind of keep their head down, but I don’t think that team is short of resources. Clearly Lawrence Stroll is investing a lot of money in his team. You then have Renault, who I think is at our level.

"You’ve got seven teams that I think are all playing with the same size bat, if you like, and I think that’s great.

"Not only do I think we have a better chance of getting first or second in the future, I think it’s a seven-car team race.

"I really don’t think you can write anybody off. But again, that’s good for the sport.

"I hope what we get to is more of an IndyCar-type championship, where your big teams are still the ones that win the championships at the end of the day, but other teams win races.

"It would be great if we went back to three or four race wins gets you the championship, not 14."

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