2015 runners-up Ferrari will receive the biggest slice of the $965m prize pot.

The legendary Italian team, which has been present since the first round of the Formula One World Championship in 1950, and has missed just 16 events since, will receive $87m from the main pot. However, it receives an additional $35m courtesy of a Constructors' Championship bonus, which is paid to just four teams (not Williams) following separately agreed deals, and a further $70m as a 'historic bonus’. In total, $192m.

Indeed, the figures, as made public by Autosport, show that Mercedes, which won both titles and all but three races in 2015, will receive $171m in total, comprising $97m from the main pot, $39m Constructors' Championship bonus and a further $35m thought to be a bonus agreed should the German manufacturer win back-to-back titles.

Even McLaren, which had its worst season in living memory, will pocket $82m, receiving $50m from the main pot and a further $32m as a Constructors' Championship bonus, whilst Red Bull, which finished fourth will receive $171m in total, courtesy of $70m from the pot, $39m Constructors' Championship bonus and a further $35m bonus.

Williams, which finished third for the second successive season, picks up $87m in total, which comprises a $10m bonus on top of its basic $77m.

The figures show that Ferrari's share is up 17% on 2014, whilst Mercedes enjoys a 36% increase. On the other hand, overall, Red Bull's share is down 7%, Williams 6% and McLaren 16%.

The remaining money is divided between Force India ($67m), Renault ($64m), Toro Rosso ($57m) Sauber ($54m) and Manor ($47m).

The disparity between the amounts received reflect the feeling that the system is flawed, and one only has to look at the amount McLaren will receive compared to teams like Force India, Renault (Lotus) and Toro Rosso to understand this.

Though the basic prize money, which includes race hosting fees, broadcasting rights, trackside sponsorship and hospitality, is decided on teams' standings in the previous three seasons, it is the additional bonuses that give rise to complaint.

Indeed, Force India and Sauber are currently awaiting the 2017 rules to be finalised before they can take their complaint regarding the governance of the sport and how its revenue are redistributed forward.

"We submitted our complaint," deputy team principal Bob Fernley told Reuters. "The complaint has then gone to CVC. CVC have responded back (to the EU), which we have a copy of, and then we have to reply again to that final part of it. Then they'll look at it. It's going through the process.

"We're not looking at moving that forward until the end of the month," he admitted, "until we've seen all the changes that come in and we know exactly where things are."

Although the figures are unofficial, Formula One Management always keen to keep such matters away from public gaze, speaking in Bahrain, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that prize money this year (for 2015) would be very close to a billion dollars.

$965m is about as close as one can get.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by St Ignitious, 15/04/2016 7:51

"Quick correction to the opening statement: "The legendary Italian team, which has been present since the first round of the Formula One World Championship in 1950"...

They were not in the first round at Silverstone."

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2. Posted by Willie, 07/04/2016 18:21

""All teams are equal, but some are more equal than others," (to paraphrase George Orwell).
Personally, I think they should charge Ferrari a special fee, since they get so much commercial benefit from the advertising value."

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3. Posted by edllorca, 07/04/2016 11:35

"Alfsboy, you are right. According to the above scheme they should receive a 'bonus' in the form of a discount to the fees they pay based on their historic standing. Instead they are screwed and us fans along with it."

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4. Posted by alfsboy, 07/04/2016 8:02

"What about the circuits that have been present since the first grand Prix .They are dropped like used confetti ."

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Ferrari receives biggest slice of 2016 prize pot

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