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 facet for me was receiving whole belief from the management of Liberty Media. They assured me most freedom in organising the crew and system that will probably be wanted to proceed this path of progress. Personally, I used to be additionally very happy to really feel recognition from inside the sport.”
Right here is the previous crew principal’s full interview for Motorsport Italy:
Gathering broad consensus is just not one thing to be taken as a right in Components 1—fairly the other, it’s uncommon. All the things 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 facets 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 long run 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 strategy 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 selections. In current months, there’s been a lot speak about varied 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 rules. That will have been completely improper. We have to respect those that have invested giant sums in a posh and dear mission; altering the foundations now would have despatched the improper message. If we had known as the earlier selections into query (concerning energy models), it will 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 facets 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 sooner restoration instances for a producer if we discover a big efficiency hole. I believe it is a matter that completely have to be addressed quickly—it’s a scenario that would 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 crew dominate for too lengthy is just not good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary progress and has change into a reference on a global stage. We ought to be pleased with this, but additionally very cautious.”
You have been there in 2009–10 in the course of the nice exodus of greater than half the automobile producers concerned in Components 1. Given the worldwide financial system is much from steady as we speak, do you suppose that situation might repeat itself?
“It might be improper to not think about that risk, particularly as a result of the financial system goes by way of a tough 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 tough selections.”
“That’s why I imagine it’s essential for us to contemplate simplifying issues and considerably slicing prices, whereas additionally working to take care of a technical hyperlink with the event of applied sciences which are additionally helpful for highway mobility—like sustainable fuels, which might complement electrical autos available on the market. These are selections 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—folks round my age—have to rethink their technical views on what creates efficiency and technological curiosity. It’s a elementary matter. The concentrate on sustainable fuels is totally proper, however alternatively—and I say this considerably provocatively—seeing groups make investments enormous 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 mainly zero.”
“It’s additionally a know-how that followers have already absorbed, it doesn’t spark curiosity anymore. I believe it’s essential to determine the areas the place we are able to speak about know-how as leisure. What was related prior to now is far much less so as we speak and is now not sufficient to persuade a producer to put money into our sport. We have to face this challenge and have the braveness to simply accept that many issues have developed.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been plenty of speak about versatile wings, with technical controversies returning.
“I’ve skilled loads of these firsthand—I bear in mind the case involving us (after 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 as we speak, however there nonetheless stays nice mental capability amongst these working in Components 1 to push the whole lot to the restrict. Personally, I really feel as we speak’s technical controversies are actually minor in comparison with the previous. In truth, 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 brief time. If we choose the occasion itself—what Las Vegas has been and is for Components 1—we’re undoubtedly taking a look at successful. Past the media consideration and visibility, it has allowed us to strike industrial offers that may 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 below 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 need to contain native traders extra. The financial impression of the Las Vegas weekend has, for 2 consecutive years, been very vital—even larger 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 neglect that whereas we’ve made nice progress just lately within the U.S. market, there’s nonetheless enormous room for progress. We have to elevate consciousness much more.”
Is Africa on maintain?
“That’s not the correct phrase. Earlier than we transfer ahead in that course, we want ensures in three areas. First, the investments should profit the local people, not simply because Components 1 is there but additionally for the host nation’s financial system as an entire. Second, infrastructure: it’s not sufficient to have a observe; we additionally want motels, roads, airports, the whole lot. 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 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, it is a sport, and curiosity can also be pushed by outcomes, and that takes time. Lewis spent a few years at Mercedes, growing interpersonal dynamics and technical understanding of the automobile that will not translate on to Ferrari. It takes some calm when altering environments solely. He received the dash race in China, however all it takes is one much less sensible weekend and opinions shift once more. We must 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—individuals are too fast to evaluate.”
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 completely satisfied. 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 probably the most thrilling a part of racing—it’s pure that individuals 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 potential?
“We’ve got two fan bases. Some know the whole lot in regards to the sport, and others are newer and don’t have a deep Components 1 tradition. I believe it’s as much as us to elucidate our sport higher—it might sound trivial and it’s not simple, however many facets must be defined. After all, 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 very happy as a result of it exhibits the feeder collection are working effectively—it’s nice information for our sport. I additionally suppose these younger drivers ought to 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 suppose it’s essential to help Lawson after his robust season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very effectively—he’s 18 years previous, let’s not neglect 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 needs his household by his aspect for his Components 1 debut.”
Ultimately, Components 1 has welcomed an eleventh crew…
“The Cadillac mission will assist us make an excellent larger impression 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 further races in the US.”
However will the variety of Grands Prix all the time stay 24, or might it improve?
“I verify—it’ll keep at a most of 24.”
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