Only two teams are currently making money in F1, which are they?

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Out of the eleven teams currently entered in Formula 1, only two are expected to post a profit in 2016, according to estimates elaborated by Autosport.

Both Red Bull and Williams punch in with an estimated £5M profit for the last year while the rest of the field, including Mercedes and Ferrari, are expected to just break even.

It's worth noting that Red Bull's annual budget is estimated at £215M while Williams deals with approximately £105M.

Williams, the only public Formula 1 team, will see its 2016 accounts benefit from a financial windfall associated with its third place finish in the Constructors championship in 2015.

Autosport also 'guesstimates' that Mercedes enjoys the biggest budget on the grid, with £265M (excluding engines) allocated by Stuttgart to the Brackley squad.

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Reflecting the gap out on the race track, Ferrari trails Mercedes by about £40M with a budget estimated at £225M, also excluding engines.

Autosport also worked out a 'Bang for Buck' index which rewards the most cost-effective team on the grid, or the outfit which spends its money to the best effect.

Unsurprisingly, Force India emerges a clear winner here from Williams, Red Bull and Toro Rosso.

Liberty Media, F1's new owner, will be compelled to level the commercial playing field as one of its top priorities when it takes over the sport in the coming months.

As always when it boils down to the monies, it will be a challenging task, but one which Formula 1's long-term survival may depend upon.

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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.