Vowles pushes 'ADUO for teams' cost cap plan for F1 Commission

Changes to Formula 1's cost cap are expected to be discussed at the sport's Commission meeting on Monday, where a proposal dubbed 'ADUO for teams' has been added to the agenda. Williams Team Principal James Vowles is pushing for a catch-up mechanism to narrow the gap between the top four teams and the rest of the grid, which he has described as a 'cost cap trap'.

The proposal would give a sliding scale to teams outside the top four, allowing those finishing lower in the constructors' standings to spend more within the cap. The name references the existing ADUO process, which lets engine manufacturers receive extra spending allowances and upgrades when their power unit falls behind the benchmark.

To be implemented, the plan needs support from the FIA, FOM and six teams. Only Alpine, Aston Martin, Audi and Cadillac have so far expressed support, while Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has said he is against it. Vowles has acknowledged there is not yet a clear path for implementation and said it is unlikely to happen overnight.