The contract renewal confirming Stefano Domenicali on the helm of Components 1 Group for the following 5 years got here nearly by acclamation. “A very powerful side for me was receiving whole belief from the management of Liberty Media. They assured me most freedom in establishing the staff and system that might be wanted to proceed this path of progress. 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 is just not one thing to be taken with no consideration in Components 1—fairly the alternative, it’s uncommon. Every thing evolves rapidly, and simply two days after asserting the contract extension with Liberty Media, Domenicali signed the brand new Concorde Settlement, the industrial platform that defines Components 1’s monetary future.
“The monetary features are settled; now we have to finalize the governance half, which includes not solely the groups but additionally 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 need to change is to have a extra strategic and fewer tactical method to the problems affecting our world of Components 1, so we want the involvement of each the FIA and the groups.”
Let’s stick to strategic choices. In latest months, there’s been a lot speak about numerous engine philosophies Components 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 Components 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 believe there have been some heavy-handed makes an attempt. As a result of future discussions have been on the desk, somebody tried to suggest an extension of the present laws. That might have been completely incorrect. We have to respect those that have invested giant sums in a posh and expensive undertaking; altering the foundations now would have despatched the incorrect message. If we had referred to as the earlier choices into query (concerning energy items), it might have been an enormous mistake.”
So, full steam forward with no second ideas?
“Nothing stops us from persevering with to work to enhance the package deal. 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 consider it’s crucial for the entire system to simply accept the concept of permitting sooner restoration instances for a producer if we discover a major efficiency hole. I believe this can be a matter that completely should be addressed quickly—it’s a scenario that might have an effect on anybody.”
That received’t be simple, given the aggressive mentality that has all the time existed in Components 1…
“I believe all of us have to suppose strategically. Having one staff dominate for too lengthy is just not good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary progress and has grow to be a reference on a global stage. We needs to be happy with this, but additionally very cautious.”
You have been there in 2009–10 throughout the nice exodus of greater than half the automobile producers concerned in Components 1. Given the worldwide economic system is way from secure right this moment, do you suppose that state of affairs might repeat itself?
“It could be incorrect to not contemplate that chance, particularly as a result of the economic system goes by a troublesome interval—Renault left Components 1 after a few years. I need 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, giant automotive teams might be pressured to make troublesome choices.”
“That’s why I consider it’s essential for us to think about simplifying issues and considerably chopping prices, whereas additionally working to take care of a technical hyperlink with the event of applied sciences which can be additionally helpful for highway mobility—like sustainable fuels, which might complement electrical autos in the marketplace. These are decisions that may assist producers stick with us or, within the occasion of a serious disaster that forces manufacturers to droop racing applications, permit us to react independently and discover different options.”
Simplification is a recurring matter, but it surely all the time appears a bit imprecise. What precisely does it imply?
“Longtime followers—individuals round my age—have to rethink their technical views on what creates efficiency and technological curiosity. It’s a basic matter. The give attention to 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 not makes the sense it as soon as did. The efficiency delta you will get from that’s now principally zero.”
“It’s additionally a know-how that followers have already absorbed, it doesn’t spark curiosity anymore. I believe it’s crucial to determine the areas the place we are able to speak about know-how as leisure. What was related previously is far much less so right this moment and is not sufficient to persuade a producer to spend money on our sport. We have to face this challenge and have the braveness to simply accept that many issues have advanced.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been a whole lot of speak about 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 Components 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 right this moment, however there nonetheless stays nice mental capability amongst these working in Components 1 to push all the things to the restrict. Personally, I really feel right this 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 an excellent deal?
“It’s an enormous success, however as all the time with new initiatives, you may’t anticipate to recoup your funding in a really quick time. If we choose the occasion itself—what Las Vegas has been and is for Components 1—we’re undoubtedly successful. Past the media consideration and visibility, it has allowed us to strike industrial offers that might have been a lot more durable with out Las Vegas.”
Is it a showcase for the ‘Components 1 system’?
“Completely. And I’ve no downside confirming that the occasion’s prices for the Las Vegas neighborhood are very excessive. Beginning this yr, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is beneath our direct central administration—the working group for the GP now reviews on to us, so we’ve revised the organizational construction to hurry up funding restoration. We need 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 neighborhood. We have to preserve investing and believing in it. Let’s not overlook that whereas we’ve made nice progress not too long ago within the U.S. market, there’s nonetheless large room for progress. We have to increase consciousness much more.”
Is Africa on maintain?
“That’s not the suitable phrase. Earlier than we transfer ahead in that course, we want ensures in three areas. First, the investments should profit the area people, not simply because Components 1 is there but additionally for the host nation’s economic system as a complete. Second, infrastructure: it’s not sufficient to have a observe; we additionally want motels, roads, airports, all the things. Third, there should 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 dropped at Components 1?
“Seeing it from the attitude of an Italian dwelling overseas, the curiosity it has generated has been monumental—it’s given Components 1 nice visibility. Then, in fact, this can be a sport, and curiosity can be pushed by outcomes, and that takes time. Lewis spent a few years at Mercedes, creating interpersonal dynamics and technical understanding of the automobile that won’t translate on to Ferrari. It takes some calm when altering environments completely. 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 with no consideration. In Bahrain, everybody anticipated a boring race, and in each instances, that didn’t occur—individuals 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 blissful. The Suzuka race was very intense. For followers who additionally learn the timing screens, it was a unprecedented race. However there have been no overtakes, and I perceive that for a lot of followers, that’s probably the most thrilling a part of racing—it’s pure that folks need extra on-track motion. That’s why we pushed for obligatory two-stop methods within the Monaco GP and requested Pirelli to retain a tire that degrades.”
Is a compromise between degradation and race depth doable?
“We’ve two fan bases. Some know all the things concerning the sport, and others are newer and don’t have a deep Components 1 tradition. I believe it’s as much as us to clarify our sport higher—it might sound trivial and it’s not simple, however many features have to be defined. In fact, on-track motion stays probably the most charming component.”
Components 1 has reinvented itself with a brand new technology of drivers. Do you agree {that a} extremely proficient group has emerged?
“Sure. I believe we’re witnessing one thing distinctive. I’m more than happy as a result of it reveals the feeder collection are working effectively—it’s nice information for our sport. I additionally suppose these younger drivers needs to be protected. I believed it was proper to offer Hadjar an encouraging message in Melbourne, and we’ve seen what he’s able to. I additionally suppose it’s essential to assist Lawson after his robust season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very effectively—he’s 18 years outdated, let’s not overlook that—and I’m proud of how Mercedes is supporting and defending him. It’s good to see he’s staying grounded, nonetheless very a lot a younger man who desires his household by his facet for his Components 1 debut.”
Ultimately, Components 1 has welcomed an eleventh staff…
“The Cadillac undertaking will assist us make an excellent better influence on the American market. The discussions we had advanced—the second proposal we obtained was a lot stronger than the primary. Now it’s as much as the undertaking 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 enhance?
“I verify—it should keep at a most of 24.”
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