Stefano Domenicali Confident About Continued Excitement in F1 Amidst Future Regulations
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is enthusiastic about the sport’s continued thrill and competitive spirit as the 2024 season goes on.
Domenicali reassures fans that the exciting activity in Formula 1 will continue as he considers the year’s events and the approaching regulations for 2026.
In the early races of the season, Max Verstappen and Red Bull appeared to be a formidable combination, but as the season has progressed, the pack has closed in and spectators have witnessed some exciting races. Seven drivers have won so far, and Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren are all vying for second place in the manufacturers’ standings.
“I’m very pleased to say what I said at the beginning of the year is exactly what is happening,” Domenicali said to Motorsport.com, alluding to his belief at the beginning of the season that the championship would not be dominated by one driver. At the time, everyone believed he was saying this for political reasons.
Without a doubt, this will go on until the end of 2025. There is undoubtedly an athletic drama and action component to it.
In the midst of all the action on the track, the majority of athletes are also thinking ahead to 2026, when a number of new rules will be implemented. This generation of vehicles will have enhanced safety, active aerodynamics, new power unit regulations, lighter cars, and more overtaking chances.
Domenicali has clarified why the advancements are “crucial” in view of any worries regarding how they would affect the degree of rivalry.
He said, “There are always reasons why we are changing.” “First and foremost, we must plan ahead for our actions.
And at the very moment that the decision was made, this [2026] technical regulation was tied to the requirement that manufacturers be part in Formula One, utilizing a different kind of technology that would be required. That is, in my opinion, extremely important and fundamental.
Additionally, the inclusion of sustainable fuel in the technological project’s core will expedite the process of ensuring that this new technology will be accessible for use in the mobility industry sooner. It will create a drop-in gasoline that is more affordable and advantageous for the global market. that I’m rather certain about.
Although the cost of sustainable fuel is significantly greater currently, as you are aware, Formula One has always done a great job of accelerating the process and advancing technology. That’s exactly what I’m hoping for, and I have no doubt that everyone will work toward it.
Although regulations for Formula 1 have been changed every few years, Domenicali notes that depending on the demands of the sport, this cycle might not always continue.
“Is it really time to make another step change in 2030 at this point?” stated the former team principal of Ferrari. We need to wait and see how this new technology will be developed and implemented, thus we are unable to respond to you now.
However, given the recent regulatory changes, budget cap, and aerodynamics constraint, I believe that this topic is no longer up for debate.
Therefore, the true issue is in the coming technical challenges. Does the fact that the transformation will occur in a mere five years matter? That will be the topic of conversation moving forward.
Consequently, there will come a time when we must talk about it and determine whether the needs of the engineering community, teams, and manufacturers are now the same as they were when the regulations were to be changed.
“There are often two reasons why change is necessary. One is that we represent the epitome of motorsport and are supporting cutting edge technology.
“The second in the past was that, as it was fairly obvious: the goal was to end an era of car domination. It’s part of the game, because I recall when we used to wear various colored clothes [at Ferrari].
