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"(There could be) a higher figure (next year), and then going to the full cap in 2011," he said at the Monaco Grand Prix after meeting team principals. "This is a possibility."
Mosley also said one or two manufacturers could leave at the end of the season, with or without a budget cap, but he was confident that champions Ferrari would remain despite their threat to quit.
"I think one or two of them may have to stop, but nothing to do with these discussions," he said.
"It is very difficult for a major manufacturer to continue in Formula One when they are doing economies in their factories like shutting off every other lift, turning down the electricity, not cleaning the windows, not serving coffee at the meetings.
"A company that is in that sort of situation is unlikely to go on pouring massive money into Formula One," said the Briton.
Mosley has been pushing the budget cap as a way of encouraging new entrants while also reducing costs to keep existing teams in the sport.
The 2010 regulations published last month included the optional 40 million pound cap, with teams who accept it granted greater technical freedom than those remaining with unlimited budgets.
Ferrari have said that would create an unacceptable two-tier series and have threatened to walk away. So too have Renault, Toyota and the two Red Bull teams.
"I am confident Ferrari will still be here," said Mosley.