Formula One’s torrential cash-flow may wash like a financial flood over the top teams, but it leaves the lesser lights high and dry and bitterly angry.

So much so, after a long, drawn-out threat, they have finally opted to challenge the share-out system, allotted by grand prix overlord Bernie Ecclestone, at the European Union headquarters in Brussels.

They are arguing for fairer play in the distribution of prize money and bonuses from the mind-boggling multi-million-dollar pile-up of cash from each world championship round and the vast annual sponsorship spin-offs.

Their moanings will concern Ecclestone and CVC Capital Partners, the London-based private equity set-up he is tied in with that owns the sport.

Force India and Sauber, the comparatively impoverished also-rans, have, after months of threats to take action, this week headed the official move to force the F1 paymasters to increase their share-out to the lower ranks.

They point out with some justification that the outlay from Bernie’s bank is lopsided and unfair and it is a wrangle that may only bring an unwelcome focus on F1.

They cite the top five teams’ rewards as hopelessly disproportionate, as the benefactors — Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Williams — revel in payouts of £150m (Dh834 million) each. Last year’s prize fund totalled £538m and £365m of it was lavished on the favoured five. Ferrari, for example, reaped £102m — £29.3m more than world champions Mercedes despite ending up fourth in the championship chase.

Cash strapped Sauber’s share was a comparatively measly £30m.

I understand Sauber and Force India reckon the revenue dole-out is “unlawful” and they add: “These unfair side payments put the independent teams at a perpetual disadvantage and directly harm the sport.

“All teams share in a prize fund and their share is determined by how well they perform. However, Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Williams are guaranteed millions of dollars every year regardless of performance. And they will receive these payments even if they are last over the line at each race.”

The issue is yet another headache for Ecclestone as he sits in his vast London HQ wondering when the next problem is going to arise.

I can tell him — the same prize money prime movers also want to reverse what they dub the privileged positions of the top five when it comes down to rule-making.

A joint statement stresses: “By locking in a permanent advantage for a select few teams, the sport has been gravely undermined.

“These teams can steer the rules and technological developments to their own advantage, further entrenching their sporting chances and further undermining equality between teams.”

Oh dear, I fear the storm clouds are gathering with ominous promise.

— The writer is a freelance journalist and motorsport expert