Fernando Alonso has spoken out against a salary cap for Formula 1 drivers and claimed they are being "used more and more" by the sport's top brass.
Budget caps for teams were introduced this season, with constructors allowed to spend up to £116m over the course of the season. This figure is now in dispute, though, with several teams across the paddock claiming it will be impossible to come in under budget.
Driver salaries are separate from the current yearly cost caps in place, but there are suggestions that might change in the coming years. Competitors might find their earning potential limited in the future, if F1 bosses press ahead with plans to introduce a salary cap.
Alonso, 40, may well be retired by the time any such measures are introduced, but has spoken out against them all the same. The Spaniard believes it would be unfair to restrict drivers' earnings at a time when they are doing more than ever to help in marketing the sport to a larger audience.
"I don't think it's needed," said the Alpine racer as quoted by motorsport.com. "Drivers have been always outside this topic, and I think the drivers, they are us using more and more to promote Formula 1. We do more and more events we are more in contact with the fans. They are asking more and more from us and they are benefiting from that. So we should be outside from that cap. It's very complicated."
His words echo those of former McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton, when he spoke about the potential introduction of a salary cap in 2020. "I do think that the drivers here are naturally the stars of the sport," said the Briton as he too revealed he had reservations about the idea.
"They're the ones that are seen as the ones that bring brands and their reputation helps elevate the sport and help it travel globally around the world. If you look at other sports, there have been salary caps in some of those sports – think like the NFL or basketball.
"The one difference is that in those places the individuals own their image in many areas, so then they can try to maximise their image elsewhere. But this sport controls pretty much the driver's image. So, I mean, I'm not personally opposed to it.
"It's not my decision at the end of the day. But do think about the next up and coming young stars that are coming through and I don't particularly see why that should be handicapped if they're bringing something to the sport. I think it's a multi-billion dollar sport, and they should be rewarded for what they bring to it."
