Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali believes the 2026 regulations are a great moment for the sport as they pique interest and create a challenge for teams and drivers.The 2026 Formula 1 regulations usher in a new era with new power units and chassis concepts as Audi join as a works team, with Cadillac also entering with their own team and plan to produce their own power unit by 2029—they are currently powered by Ferrari.
Domenicali, who has been at the helm of Formula 1 since 2021, claims this is a great moment for the sport. He said: “As always, when we introduce new regulations, it’s a great moment for our world, because it’s exciting, and it brings attention at a level from the technical perspective.
“There’s hundreds of engineers striving for the best, and this will have a benefit also out of the Formula 1 world.
“There’s the interest from the drivers,” he added, “because they need to understand how to drive a new car, and then the teams need to understand how to set up the car in the best way, so it’s a fascinating moment.
“It accelerates the interest, as everyone is looking forward to the 2026 regulations.”
Formula 1 has never been so strong
The 2026 power unit concept in particular was key in attracting Audi and Cadillac, while it also lured Honda back after they decided to quit the sport.
“Well it’s very exciting,” Domenicali said. “Cadillac is one of the most important manufacturers in the world. They’re going to invest a lot.
“They’re going to bring new energy, and I believe that’s related to the fact that we have taken the right technical decision with regards to the regulations.
“There is a big interest on what we are doing, keeping advanced sustainable fuels at the center of the future power unit.
“The powertrain has been relevant not only to attract Cadillac, but we have Audi, we have Honda. So it’s a great moment for all of us.
“F1 has been always at the forefront of innovation, future connectivity, attraction, attention and therefore that’s what we are doing.
“That’s why I do believe today F1 never been so strong,” he maintained.
More races, new venues
Under Domenicali’s watch, Formula 1 has grown, with many countries expressing interest in hosting races as the calendar has grown to 24 race weekends per season.
The Italian, a former Ferrari boss, is buoyed by that; he commented: “It’s great to share the fact that today, due to the great success we are all living, we have a lot of countries that would love to host the races.
“But we cannot be too many. I think that the balance that we have today is great.
“When we are considering new events, new places, new countries, there are a lot of things that we have to think about and have to put on the table.
“For sure, there is the economic benefit, and there is the interest of that country and our partners, because we need to respect what they would like to see when we are getting in a country.
“We also need to see what is the business model that we can develop there. Because of course, it’s relevant not only [the interest in] the first years but also in the future. The interest should be kept,” Domenicali explained.
How the maintain the balance?
There has been a recent trend in Formula 1 with street circuits or car park tracks (Miami) increasing on the calendar.
That has come at the expense of classic tracks, with Imola being the most recent casualty, while Monaco is always under the threat of losing its race.
But Domenicali claims the sport’s management is aware and considerate of this fact.
He said: “At the end of the day for us it’s important to keep the balance between new events, street circuits, places with the heritage, and places that will have a future; therefore, it’s fascinating.
“To find the right calendar is one of the most difficult things to do, because there are so many elements that each country, each promoter, wants to be respected.
“So it’s a puzzle that at the end of the day is beautiful, but not easy,” the 60-year-old concluded.