Motorsport photograph
The contract renewal that confirmed Stefano Domenicali as CEO of Components 1 Group for one more 5 years was met with near-unanimous approval.
“A very powerful side for me was having the entire belief of Liberty Media’s management,” Domenicali mentioned. “They gave me whole freedom to form the staff and the system that shall be wanted to maintain driving progress. On a private word, I additionally appreciated the popularity from inside the paddock.”
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In Components 1, receiving broad consensus is uncommon. Every part evolves shortly, and simply two days after the contract extension was made official, Domenicali signed the brand new Concorde Settlement – the industrial framework defining F1’s monetary future.
“The financial points are settled. What stays is the governance half, which additionally entails the FIA alongside the groups. That’s one other key step as a result of it ensures regulatory stability. One factor we need to change is our method: we should be extra strategic and fewer tactical on key points affecting our sport. This requires FIA and staff involvement.”
Motorsport: On strategic selections, there’s been a number of discuss lately about completely different engine philosophies for the medium and long run. What’s your place?
Stefano Domenicali: “Two years in the past I shared my strategic imaginative and prescient for F1’s future in an interview with Motorsport.com – and that’s precisely what’s now rising. In Bahrain, we had a gathering with the FIA and all present and future engine producers, together with GM. I consider some pushed too arduous. As future subjects had been being mentioned, somebody tried to push for an extension of the present laws. That might have been completely improper. We should respect those that’ve invested closely on this complicated and expensive venture – altering the foundations now would ship the improper message. Questioning earlier selections on energy models can be an enormous mistake.”
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MS: So it’s full steam forward, no second ideas?
SD: “Nothing prevents us from working to enhance the package deal. The FIA, along with the producers and groups, can at all times assess if there are areas for enchancment. We’re getting ready to a serious regulatory shift, and I personally consider it’s essential that the system permits for a sooner restoration if a producer falls considerably behind. That’s a difficulty we should tackle shortly – it might occur to anybody.”
MS: Not a straightforward change, contemplating F1’s aggressive nature…
SD: “All of us must assume strategically. Having one dominant staff for too lengthy is unhealthy for everybody. Our sport is rising extremely and has change into a worldwide benchmark. We ought to be happy with that – but in addition cautious.”
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Components One Group Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President and Luca di Montezemolo on the grid
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Components One Group Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President and Luca di Montezemolo on the grid Peter Fox – Getty Photos
Peter Fox – Getty Photos
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MS: You skilled the 2009–10 interval firsthand, when over half the producers left F1. With the world financial system nonetheless fragile, might that situation repeat?
SD: “It could be naive to not contemplate that risk, particularly given right this moment’s financial local weather. Renault, after a few years, has left F1. Let me be clear: main producers are important, however we’re additionally mature sufficient to know that if a extreme disaster hits the trade, large automotive teams might need to make robust selections. That’s why we should simplify and considerably cut back prices, whereas sustaining a technical hyperlink to road-relevant applied sciences – like sustainable fuels, which may complement EV choices. These decisions assist producers keep concerned. And if a disaster forces some to pause their F1 programmes, we’ll be ready to reply independently and discover alternate options.”
MS: Simplification is a recurring theme – however typically imprecise. What does it imply, concretely?
SD: “Followers of my technology must rethink what creates efficiency and technological curiosity. Specializing in sustainable fuels is completely the precise path. However – and this will likely sound provocative – having groups make investments big quantities in designing their very own gearboxes not is smart. The efficiency beneficial properties are minimal. Followers not see it as an thrilling space of growth. We have to determine areas the place expertise and leisure overlap. Many issues that after appeared cutting-edge not justify main funding. We will need to have the braveness to just accept that the panorama has advanced.”
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MS: From mid-2024, versatile wings have been a sizzling subject once more – technical controversies are again.
SD: “I’ve lived by means of a lot of these: Malaysia ’99, the double diffuser, FRIC, mass dampers, F-ducts… all a part of F1’s story. I was hands-on with technical and sporting regulation debates nearly each Sunday. Years in the past, there have been far broader gray areas than right this moment – however F1 individuals nonetheless know the way to push all the pieces to the restrict. Personally, I really feel right this moment’s controversies are comparatively minor. In actual fact, it’d be good to have a bit extra of that once more – they’re the spice of the game.”
MS: Has the Las Vegas mannequin lived as much as expectations – or, as some say, has it underdelivered financially?
SD: “It’s been an enormous success. However as with all new venture, you may’t anticipate to recoup funding instantly. If we decide the occasion itself, Las Vegas has clearly been a win for F1. Past the media publicity, it helped us safe industrial offers that will’ve been arduous to land in any other case.”
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MS: Is it a showcase for the ‘F1 system’?
SD: “Completely. I gained’t deny the prices for the area people have been excessive. Beginning this 12 months, the Las Vegas GP is absolutely below our central administration – the organisational staff now studies on to us. We’ve revised the construction to speed up ROI. We wish extra involvement from native traders. The financial impression of the Vegas weekend has been large for 2 years working – larger than the Tremendous Bowl. The local people has seen big monetary advantages. We should hold investing and believing within the venture. Let’s not neglect: whereas we’ve made nice strides within the U.S., there’s nonetheless big progress potential – we should hold rising our visibility.”
MS: Is Africa on maintain?
SD: “That’s not the precise phrase. Earlier than taking that step, we’d like ensures on three fronts: funding that advantages the group past F1’s presence, infrastructure (not only a circuit, however motels, roads, airports), and an financial base that may assist the occasion long-term. We’re not on standby – we’re working to evaluate what’s nonetheless lacking earlier than we will say, ‘Okay, let’s go.’ However we’re not there but.”
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MS: What has Hamilton’s transfer to delivered to F1?
SD: “Talking as an Italian dwelling overseas, the curiosity it generated has been large – it’s given F1 nice visibility. After all, it’s nonetheless a sport, and a focus depends upon outcomes. That can take time. Lewis spent a few years at , the place he developed sure relationships and technical understanding. These dynamics aren’t assured to be the identical at Ferrari. We want endurance. He gained the dash in China, however one less-than-perfect weekend and folks’s opinions shift once more. We must always all be extra measured. In Japan, many anticipated a 1–2. In Bahrain, individuals predicted a boring race. In each circumstances, they had been improper – individuals leap to conclusions too quick.”
Race begin
Race startAndrea Diodato – NurPhoto – Getty Photos
Andrea Diodato – NurPhoto – Getty Photos
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MS: On that word, some referred to as the Japanese GP boring, others praised the depth and lack of tyre degradation.
SD: “You’ll by no means please everybody. Suzuka was a really intense race – in case you had been watching the timing screens, it was extraordinary. However there have been no overtakes, and I get that many followers crave extra on-track motion. That’s legitimate. That’s why we pushed for 2 obligatory stops in Monaco and requested Pirelli to maintain utilizing high-degradation tyres.”
MS: Are you able to strike a stability between degradation and race depth?
SD: “We’ve bought two fan teams – the hardcore consultants, and the newer followers with out deep F1 data. It’s on us to clarify our sport higher. It might appear apparent, nevertheless it’s not second nature. We’ve to do a greater job at speaking what’s occurring. That mentioned, on-track motion stays essentially the most compelling half.”
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MS: F1 has reinvented itself with a brand new technology of drivers. Do you agree they’re high quality?
SD: “Sure – I feel what we’re seeing is phenomenal. It exhibits the junior classes are working effectively, which is nice information for the game. I additionally assume these drivers deserve safety. In Melbourne, I made a degree to assist Hadjar, and look what he’s finished since. I feel Lawson deserves assist now after a tricky begin. We have to bear in mind their human aspect. Andrea Kimi [Antonelli] is doing very well – he’s solely 18 – and I’m happy with how Mercedes is supporting and defending him. It’s good to see he stays grounded, nonetheless a younger man together with his household by his aspect on debut.”
MS: Ultimately, F1 authorised an eleventh staff.
SD: “The Cadillac venture will assist us make an even bigger impression within the U.S. market. The conversations we had advanced – the second proposal was a lot stronger than the primary. Now it’s as much as the venture to maneuver ahead, choose two stable drivers, and ship. Having a heavyweight model like that can profit the system – and will even pave the way in which for extra races in america.”
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MS: Will the calendar keep at 24 races, or might it enhance?
SD: “Confirmed – the utmost will stay 24.”
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