Teams will head into F1 2026 knowing that greater financial risks are now attached to challenging decisions and other teams, following changes made by the FIA.<\/p>\n
Formula 1\u2019s governing body has whacked up the deposit required from \u20ac2,000 to \u20ac20,000. This comes following calls from Mercedes\u2019 George Russell and McLaren CEO Zak Brown for more significant fees attached to protests. Appeals and right of reviews will also be subjected to this new \u20ac20,000 deposit.<\/p>\n
FIA imposes new\u00a0\u20ac20,000 deposit<\/p>\n
In the updated 2026 F1 regulations, the FIA has confirmed that the deposit required from a team for protesting, appealing, or petitioning for a right of review, will increase from \u20ac2,000 to \u20ac20,000, which may be refundable depending on the outcome.<\/p>\n
For appeals, alongside the deposit, a \u2018non-refundable administrative fee of \u20ac5,000 (for F1 Teams, PU Manufacturers or Drivers)\u2019 shall also be required.<\/p>\n
The FIA lists an \u2018other individuals\u2019 category for appeals, those not covered by \u2018F1 Teams, PU Manufacturers or Drivers\u2019. It is a deposit of \u20ac6,000 and \u20ac1,000 administrative fee for \u2018other individuals\u2019.<\/p>\n
More on F1 2026 from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n
What we most want to see in F1 2026<\/a><\/p>\n F1 2026 cars: What name has each team given its chassis for the 2026 season?<\/a><\/p>\n Amid the talk of Red Bull allegedly suspecting McLaren tyre water trickery to cool their tyres \u2013 something which the FIA and Pirelli found no evidence of \u2013 McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown welcomed Red Bull to protest their 2025 car, the MCL39.<\/p>\n However, in that call, Brown suggested a \u00a325,000 protest fee, counting against a team\u2019s cost cap, to give a rival reason to think carefully when protesting another team.<\/p>\n Brown got his wish of the increased deposit fee \u2013 one close to his desired amount, with \u20ac20,000 equating to \u00a317,000 \u2013 and it will be counted against the cost cap for each team.<\/p>\n George Russell meanwhile pushed for a higher fee following an unsuccessful two-part Red Bull protest after his Canadian Grand Prix victory.<\/p>\n \u201c\u20ac2000 for a team who are making nine-figure profits is not going to even touch the sides, it\u2019s not even going to be thought about twice,\u201d said Russell.<\/p>\n \u201cPotentially if that was a six-figure sum to put down, maybe they would think twice about it. And perhaps that when it\u2019s something like a protest, you obviously get your money back if you win the protest.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s basically on your own risk. Whereas at the moment, \u20ac2000 for a Formula 1 team, it\u2019s not even a consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, meanwhile, told Sky F1 that Red Bull\u2019s protest was \u201cpetty\u201d and \u201cembarrassing\u201d.<\/p>\n With sweeping chassis and engine regulation changes coming for F1 2026, creating opportunity and the chance for innovation, the new fees \u2013 up 900 per cent \u2013 could become a major talking point.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n