The contract renewal confirming Stefano Domenicali on the helm of Formulation 1 Group for the following 5 years got here nearly by acclamation. “A very powerful facet for me was receiving whole belief from the management of Liberty Media. They assured me most freedom in establishing the staff and system that will likely be wanted to proceed this path of development. Personally, I used to be additionally more than happy to really feel recognition from inside the sport.”
Right here is the previous staff principal’s full interview for Motorsport Italy:
Gathering broad consensus isn’t one thing to be taken as a right in Formulation 1—fairly the alternative, it’s uncommon. Every part evolves rapidly, and simply two days after asserting the contract extension with Liberty Media, Domenicali signed the brand new Concorde Settlement, the business platform that defines Formulation 1’s monetary future.
“The monetary features are settled; now we have to finalize the governance half, which includes not solely the groups but in addition the FIA. That is one other key step for the longer term as a result of it ensures regulatory stability. One of many issues we wish to change is to have a extra strategic and fewer tactical method to the problems affecting our world of Formulation 1, so we want the involvement of each the FIA and the groups.”
Let’s stick to strategic choices. In current months, there’s been a lot discuss varied engine philosophies Formulation 1 might undertake within the medium and long run. What’s your stance on the matter?
“Two years in the past, I shared (in an interview with Motorsport.com) what was my strategic imaginative and prescient for the way forward for Formulation 1, and that’s what’s rising now. In Bahrain, we had a gathering with the FIA and all the present and future engine producers, together with GM. I feel there have been some heavy-handed makes an attempt. As a result of future discussions had been on the desk, somebody tried to suggest an extension of the present rules. That will have been completely mistaken. We have to respect those that have invested massive sums in a fancy and dear mission; altering the foundations now would have despatched the mistaken message. If we had known as the earlier choices into query (concerning energy models), it could have been an enormous mistake.”
So, full steam forward with no second ideas?
“Nothing stops us from persevering with to work to enhance the bundle. The Worldwide Federation, together with the producers and groups, can all the time consider whether or not there are features that may be improved. We’re on the eve of a historic regulatory change, and personally, I imagine it’s essential for the entire system to simply accept the thought of permitting quicker restoration instances for a producer if we discover a major efficiency hole. I feel it is a matter that completely have to be addressed quickly—it’s a state of affairs that would have an effect on anybody.”
That received’t be straightforward, given the aggressive mentality that has all the time existed in Formulation 1…
“I feel all of us must assume strategically. Having one staff dominate for too lengthy isn’t good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary development and has turn out to be a reference on a world stage. We must be happy with this, but in addition very cautious.”
You had been there in 2009–10 through the nice exodus of greater than half the automotive producers concerned in Formulation 1. Given the worldwide financial system is way from steady at the moment, do you assume that situation might repeat itself?
“It will be mistaken to not think about that chance, particularly as a result of the financial system goes via a tough interval—Renault left Formulation 1 after a few years. I wish to make clear one thing: for us, main producers are important, however we’re sufficiently big to know that if a serious disaster hits the sector, massive automotive teams may very well be pressured to make tough choices.”
“That’s why I imagine it’s necessary for us to think about simplifying issues and considerably chopping prices, whereas additionally working to keep up a technical hyperlink with the event of applied sciences which might be additionally helpful for street mobility—like sustainable fuels, which might complement electrical autos available on the market. These are decisions that may assist producers stick with us or, within the occasion of a serious disaster that forces manufacturers to droop racing packages, enable us to react independently and discover different options.”
Simplification is a recurring matter, however it all the time appears a bit obscure. What precisely does it imply?
“Longtime followers—folks round my age—must rethink their technical views on what creates efficiency and technological curiosity. It’s a basic matter. The deal with sustainable fuels is completely proper, however then again—and I say this considerably provocatively—seeing groups make investments large sums to design and construct their very own gearboxes now not makes the sense it as soon as did. The efficiency delta you may get from that’s now principally zero.”
“It’s additionally a expertise that followers have already absorbed, it doesn’t spark curiosity anymore. I feel it’s essential to determine the areas the place we are able to discuss expertise as leisure. What was related prior to now is far much less so at the moment and is now not sufficient to persuade a producer to put money into our sport. We have to face this difficulty and have the braveness to simply accept that many issues have developed.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been a number of discuss versatile wings, with technical controversies returning.
“I’ve skilled loads of these firsthand—I keep in mind the case involving us (once I was Ferrari’s sporting director) in Malaysia in 1999, in addition to the double diffuser, the ‘frick,’ the mass damper, the F-duct… these tales have all the time been a part of Formulation 1. I used to be virtually concerned each Sunday in dealing with regulatory technical and sporting points. I can say that years in the past, there have been a lot wider gray areas than at the moment, however there nonetheless stays nice mental capability amongst these working in Formulation 1 to push every little thing to the restrict. Personally, I really feel at the moment’s technical controversies are actually minor in comparison with the previous. Actually, I’d like to see a bit extra dialogue—they’re the spice of this sport.”
Has the Las Vegas mannequin, which you believed in and invested closely in, delivered what you anticipated—or, as some insiders declare, has it not been a fantastic deal?
“It’s an enormous success, however as all the time with new tasks, you may’t count on to recoup your funding in a really quick time. If we decide the occasion itself—what Las Vegas has been and is for Formulation 1—we’re undoubtedly a hit. Past the media consideration and visibility, it has allowed us to strike business offers that will have been a lot tougher with out Las Vegas.”
Is it a showcase for the ‘Formulation 1 system’?
“Completely. And I’ve no downside confirming that the occasion’s prices for the Las Vegas group are very excessive. Beginning this 12 months, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is beneath our direct central administration—the working group for the GP now studies on to us, so we’ve revised the organizational construction to hurry up funding restoration. We wish to contain native buyers extra. The financial influence of the Las Vegas weekend has, for 2 consecutive years, been very important—even better than the Tremendous Bowl. We’ve assured main monetary advantages to the group. We have to hold investing and believing in it. Let’s not neglect that whereas we’ve made nice progress lately within the U.S. market, there’s nonetheless large room for development. We have to increase consciousness much more.”
Is Africa on maintain?
“That’s not the best phrase. Earlier than we transfer ahead in that path, we want ensures in three areas. First, the investments should profit the local people, not simply because Formulation 1 is there but in addition for the host nation’s financial system as a complete. Second, infrastructure: it’s not sufficient to have a monitor; we additionally want inns, roads, airports, every little thing. Third, there have to be an financial basis able to supporting the occasion within the medium and long run. We’re not on standby—we’re nonetheless working to evaluate what’s lacking earlier than we are able to say, okay, let’s go. However we’re not there but.”
What has Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari delivered to Formulation 1?
“Seeing it from the angle of an Italian residing overseas, the curiosity it has generated has been monumental—it’s given Formulation 1 nice visibility. Then, in fact, it is a sport, and curiosity can be pushed by outcomes, and that takes time. Lewis spent a few years at Mercedes, growing interpersonal dynamics and technical understanding of the automotive that won’t translate on to Ferrari. It takes some calm when altering environments totally. He received the dash race in China, however all it takes is one much less good weekend and opinions shift once more. We have to be a bit extra cautious. In Japan, a McLaren one-two was taken as a right. In Bahrain, everybody anticipated a boring race, and in each instances, that didn’t occur—persons are too fast to guage.”
Talking of the Japanese GP, some discovered it very boring, whereas others praised the depth of a race unaffected by tire degradation, the place drivers might push from begin to end.
“We’ll by no means make everybody pleased. The Suzuka race was very intense. For followers who additionally learn the timing screens, it was a rare race. However there have been no overtakes, and I perceive that for a lot of followers, that’s essentially the most thrilling a part of racing—it’s pure that folks need extra on-track motion. That’s why we pushed for necessary two-stop methods within the Monaco GP and requested Pirelli to retain a tire that degrades.”
Is a compromise between degradation and race depth attainable?
“We now have two fan bases. Some know every little thing in regards to the sport, and others are newer and don’t have a deep Formulation 1 tradition. I feel it’s as much as us to clarify our sport higher—it might sound trivial and it’s not straightforward, however many features have to be defined. In fact, on-track motion stays essentially the most charming ingredient.”
Formulation 1 has reinvented itself with a brand new era of drivers. Do you agree {that a} extremely gifted group has emerged?
“Sure. I feel we’re witnessing one thing distinctive. I’m more than happy as a result of it reveals the feeder collection are working properly—it’s nice information for our sport. I additionally assume these younger drivers must be protected. I believed it was proper to present Hadjar an encouraging message in Melbourne, and we’ve seen what he’s able to. I additionally assume it’s necessary to help Lawson after his robust season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very properly—he’s 18 years outdated, let’s not neglect that—and I’m pleased with how Mercedes is supporting and defending him. It’s good to see he’s staying grounded, nonetheless very a lot a younger man who needs his household by his facet for his Formulation 1 debut.”
Ultimately, Formulation 1 has welcomed an eleventh staff…
“The Cadillac mission will assist us make a fair better influence on the American market. The discussions we had developed—the second proposal we obtained was a lot stronger than the primary. Now it’s as much as the mission to show itself, select two good drivers, and transfer ahead. The arrival of such a serious model will profit the entire system—for instance, it might open the door to extra races in the USA.”
However will the variety of Grands Prix all the time stay 24, or might it improve?
“I verify—it is going to keep at a most of 24.”
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