Audi F1’s 2026 budget will exceed rivals, as the FIA adjusts for Switzerland’s significantly higher salary costs.
As we reported earlier this week, the FIA has recently announced that budget caps will be raised in 2026 to account for rising costs, particularly due to inflation.
Additionally, it has been revealed that the caps will be adjusted to reflect the average salaries in the countries where teams are based. This adjustment will have a significant impact on the budget allocated to Audi.
The team currently known as Stake F1 is the Sauber structure, based in Hinwil, Switzerland. In Switzerland, salaries are roughly 35% to 45% higher than in the UK or Italy, where most other teams are located.
As a result, Audi’s budget cap will be higher than that of its rivals, but the FIA views this as a step towards greater fairness, aiming to account for external financial pressures beyond team expenditures.
Reports suggest that the budget cap for other teams will rise from $135 million to $215 million in 2026. While this may seem like a substantial increase, it is largely designed to offset inflation.
The remaining adjustments are linked to certain tax exclusions, primarily benefiting teams based in the UK. Audi’s precise budget cap has not yet been calculated, but it is expected to reach or exceed $250 million.
To finalise the figures, the FIA will need to examine the proportion of Audi F1’s expenses that are driven by salaries, as this will be the primary factor distinguishing Hinwil’s team from the others. Mattia Binotto previously remarked that without such an adjustment, Audi would struggle to compete with its rivals.
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FIA Adjusts Audi F1 Budget Cap for Higher Swiss Salaries FIA Adjusts Audi F1 Budget Cap for Higher Swiss Salaries
