Driver salaries will be exempt from the proposed £30m budget cap set to be introduced to F1 in 2010 it has been revealed, just days ahead of the publication of the regulations governing the budget cap and 2010 technical rules. News agency Reuters is reporting that a letter sent to all team principals in Bahrain informed them that all team expenditure, except for drivers and marketing, would have to be made in accordance to the budget cap for those who decide to avail of it. The FIA's World Motor Sport Council will meet next week on April 29th to finalise the 2010 regulations, with as many as eight prospective new teams rumoured to be vying for three remaining slots.

“We are now close to concluding the regulations, both financial and technical, for presentation to the World Motor Sport Council on 29 April,” wrote Mosley in his letter. “The financial regulations will be based largely on the principles established by the teams and the FIA last year. The key point is that the budget cap for 2010 will cover all team spending except for marketing and drivers.”

Mosley also revealed that, along with the new teams expected to join next year, some existing teams are also interested in availing of the budget cap, which would see participating teams given greater technical freedom, such as a lifting of testing restrictions and engine rev limits. However, Mosley has acknowledged that the £30m cap may be too low, and has therefore asked team principals to suggest an alternative figure.

“Apart from the three new teams, we have had indications that some existing teams would like to run under a cost cap in 2010,” continued the FIA President. “However this might mean an adjustment of the 30 million figure. Could you, therefore, please indicate what you would consider to be a minimum acceptable figure for the cap?”

Ever since the £30m figure was announced on March 17th, sceptics have questioned whether or not a competitive F1 team could be run successfully. It's therefore likely that the budget cap will be increased, possibly to £40m or £50m.