Last Monday, a group of journalists from Motorsport Network met with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in London to discuss the new regulations, drivers’ feedback on the start of the 2026 season, and what the future of the series may look like in the coming years.
Here’s how that conversation unfolded.
On 2026 rules: “There has been very positive reaction from the fans”
Stuart Codling: Stefano, thanks very much for your time. We find ourselves in a bit of an interregnum, an unexpected interregnum in the season, an April without racing. It’s kind of given us time to reflect. So, could you tell us a little bit more about how Formula 1 sees the success of the 2026 regulations so far, and what the challenges have been, any sort of unexpected outcomes that have resulted from the first three races?
Stefano Domenicali: Well, let me say, first of all, before getting to the specifics of your question, I would like really to take the opportunity to thank you for all you’re doing to keep feeding the core fans with what is happening in our world. I mean, it’s a moment where the popularity of the sport is getting bigger and bigger. And therefore, we need to make sure that, from one side, we capture new fans. On the other side, we teach, in a way, or we explain to them what’s going on in our ecosystem. It is getting more complicated, more complex, and that’s why, first of all, I want to say that.
The status of the championship, the status of Formula 1, because I have to think big, is fantastic, it’s great. We’ve never been in such an incredible position. And the reason why I’m saying that is because even we wouldn’t be in this position today. The actual situation that we have to face would have been seen totally different with the big question marks, with big doubts, which are not there on the table today. Of course, we have to manage the political situation that we have to manage, but we are managing [it] the right way, with no panic, with a solid foundation, being ready to have different options, depending on how the world is going, knowing that all the ecosystem is trusting on the decision that we are taking. And that is great. It’s not taken for granted at all levels.
On the other hand, before getting to the reasons or all the comments related to new regulations, I think that is very, very important to remember why we had to change or we changed the regulation together as an ecosystem. Because we don’t have to forget that the governance of our sport is not one of the sides, it’s the FIA, it’s us, the teams, and so on. Therefore, the actual set of regulation out there, because five years ago – it seems 50 years ago – the manufacturers thought that the only way to progress in being involved in motorsport was to be 50:50 [split], or electric, or trying to find the right balance between the internal combustion engine and electrification. That was a starting point. That’s why we are here today to discuss about regulation, technicality, that definitely have to be improved, as always, when there is something that is new, totally new, but it’s totally new, because the step change never been so big. But that was the reason that this step change. We don’t have to forget that.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images
Now, if you look what is happening in the context of automotive industry, it’s definitely totally different. Now, the automotive industry is going back to more hybrid engine, more internal combustion engine with sustainable fuel, which is the things that we always said since the beginning, very crucial for the future. Therefore, I’m expecting that the new power unit discussion that the FIA will have the role to coordinate and to decide, will be definitely different. But now, going back to your question, I can see an incredible result in terms of positivity from the bigger fan base on what is the effect [of new rules] on racing. Definitely, and I take on board the criticism related to certain situations that we have to manage related to mainly qualifying, where we, I would say, as purists of racing, qualifying has been always the place where the driver has to push as much as you can, and to see where is really the physical limits of the car and the driver. That’s an area where we are working in these weeks, together with the drivers, together with the teams, of course, coordinated by the FIA to see what could be the right adjustment without losing the right trace that has been done for the reason I told you at the beginning.
Generally speaking, when we’re talking about something – [it’s] always great, because that generates a constructive discussion. What I don’t like is people who love to criticise – I don’t know why, by the way – criticise to criticise, [and that] doesn’t help anyone, and it’s really zero effect. I think that the discussion that has been in place since many months, I would say, with the FIA, with the teams, now even more with the drivers, are going in the right direction. So there are meetings now, actually this week, and also next week before Miami, to see what can be done to improve or to adjust the situation.
Because if I see the survey of what is all around the world, because we are worldwide sport, with the new fans that are following Formula 1, I mean, the result is magnificent, it’s great. Everybody is [saying], ‘Wow, what is going on?’ A lot of action. And this is what people, don’t forget, want to see.
SC: It’s almost like the formula has been beta tested in public, hasn’t it, over these first three races. What was your immediate response to some of the audience feedback, certainly around Australia, China? It all seemed quite polarised, didn’t it? Some people on one side who love it, they like to see lots of overtakes, other people noisily hating it. How do you actually drill down into your audience research to understand how much of it is just people being negative because they can? And also, certainly, we find out with our reader feedback on what we produce is it’s usually the people who are most negative who are the loudest.
SD: You said the right thing. And by the way, polarising is right. But the dimension of polarisation is this: these are the ones that complain, these are the ones who love it. So the dimension is definitely, the biggest side of the polarisation [are] the positive [comments] rather than the other ones. But as always, you know me, by the way, I’m always listening and I think it’s worth to connect all the constructive criticism that we need to do. That’s at all levels.
Race start in Japan
Photo by: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images
Some people are saying it [overtaking] is artificial. What is artificial? Overtaking is overtaking. And people have a short memory because in the turbo age in the 80s, I was already following quite well Formula 1, the lift and coast [was already there] using different turbo, different speed. And you had to save [fuel] in racing because otherwise the fuel tank was too small – you couldn’t have the time. Maybe some of the people are criticising or having some comments have short memory. So look back in the 80s, the turbo time, these things were there. And it’s part of the game.
As always, the cover is short. So you need to adjust it in the right way. So as I said, globally speaking, there has been very positive reaction from the fans that has been sort of now interrupted by one month where we have no races. So I’m looking forward to go back with the adjustment that we need to do together in Miami to see what would be the outcome of it. But the intensity and the attention on what we’re doing is fantastic. I mean, three events sold out, in term of viewership we are growing and we are getting higher in terms of numbers and the attention on our sport have been so good. So as I said, take on board everything, but have a real line of what you want to do for the future.
SC: If I can circle back to the ’26 regulations, the current ruleset for the foreseeable next few seasons, there has been a slight disconnection between the response, not just within the audience, but also the drivers. What sort of conversations have you had with the drivers? Because obviously, a certain segment of the audience is very much enjoying all the overtaking. Even some races, the first couple of races I attended, Australia, China, it looked entertaining. We were in the media centre, we go down to the pen feeling slightly lifted and then you have a lot of negativity from the drivers about it. What have your conversations been like with them?
SD: First of all, your customers are the ones who have enjoyed that. But no, seriously, I think our conversation, my conversation with them is definitely very open and they know that I do care about their opinions. I want for them to be involved. But of course, there is sometimes a sort of a gameplay that you have to have. If you speak to the drivers at the top, they are always very happy because they are winning. The others can be frustrated also because they love a different way of racing, which I respect a lot.
But what I said to them, listen, guys, don’t forget that all what we are doing is because we did the right thing together. So be respectful of a sport that gave to all of us an incredible opportunity to grow, to have a lot of money, to develop a personality in the world that in other sports you may love better, that they cannot give it to you. So that’s what I told them and that I think has been acknowledged. And I think that the racing is very, very good, very, very good. I mean, and the more we talk together, the more the more is the best for the sport because they [the drivers] are the jewel of our sport. So we need to protect that jewel of our sport. As they have to protect the ecosystem of which they are in. Because a lot of people believe that I don’t know if there is the same way of saying in UK, but in Italy, people believe that the grass of the neighbour is greener. And sometimes when you go on the other side, they say, ‘Oh, my God, it’s not true’.
So [be] respectful of what we have been able to achieve together, but also for listening and be very, very open to any kind of remarks that we have done together. Without any kind of cap game that everyone is sometimes is tempted to do.
On Verstappen: “I really hope that he will stay”
SC: How do you solve a problem like Max Verstappen, though, because he seems to be one of the few drivers who is being very much of a mindset to be outside the tent, pissing in, if I can phrase it that way, talking about going on sabbatical, going and racing GT3s instead. And really, GT3 racing is a balance of performance formula…
SD: Don’t ask me about balance of performance because you will find someone that has to respect other championship! But seriously, I think that, Max, we have spoken many, many times since the beginning. So we understand, I understand his comments, he understands the bigger picture. Even today has been a meeting where he was very keen to give suggestions. So, I don’t want to fall into the trap of trying to create an antagonism because that’s not me. Is not the way that we want to see that. And as always in life, if you are constructive, it’s not a negative over against you. So we’re going to be together. He’s the best driver, he’s a world champion – multiple world champion. And of course, his voice has to be listened. But of course, so he knows that his voice also has a weight. And he needs to respect that that weight sometimes from some people can be taken in the wrong way. And this is something that we should not allow to happen.
Max Verstappen
Photo by: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Ronald Vording: Max is maybe the most diehard purist that you can find. How important would it be to kind of find some common ground with him? And keeping that in mind, is there any fear? I know you said in Bahrain he will not walk away, but what’s your current take on that?
SD: I don’t change my mind. As I said, you know me, I respect Max a lot. I speak with him a lot and of course he is quite opinionated in that respect, which as I said, in the right way, I always, and I said at the beginning: we need to remember the reason why we are here with this regulation. Otherwise, we miss the starting point – and if you start the race in the middle of the race, you miss the start. So it is like that, and I think that certain points are valid and that’s why we are here to fix all together.
But as I said, I am respecting him a lot. I think that of course he will understand that there is a bigger picture and I can like or not more or less certain things, but in a way that everyone needs to understand, as I said, certain reasons [behind rules changes]. And it’s good that he’s pushing for something, and we said that if there is push for something, we can do it in the right way, in the right forum, because that’s the nature of our sport. I mean, I will never be confrontational, it’s not my style, and at the end of the day, it’s not giving value to anyone. The sport is bigger than any one of us, anyone. And this is something that everyone needs to remember.
Everyone means everyone, no one excluded. The sport in the 76th year of these stages. I’ve seen people manage it, drivers, fantastic engineers, prima donnas, everyone. But the sport is solid, it’s looking ahead. And that’s what I’m saying.
We have over 800 million fans. And therefore, we need to remember that the dimension that we have is huge. And therefore, as I said, I take on board all the comments. But I remember that the governance of Formula 1, as I said before, is not one person show. It’s a system that has to be voted together, has to be discussed together. And that’s where we are.
So, that’s why I really want to say officially, please, don’t try to take any kind of negative confrontational approach, because it doesn’t help the sport. It doesn’t give any value for me. I mean, if you want, if people would love to see, you know, this kind of chitchat – this is what we don’t need, because it’s not good for the sport. And I never do anything for the worst of the sport, because I think on that with my experience, I know how to avoid to get into the traps, which are great to have [for] some coverage, but not good for the medium- [or] long- term objective.
As I said at the beginning, Max is a four-time world champion. He’s an incredible driver, and is one of the best for sure, maybe the best. I personally really hope that he can stay. And because I’m sure that the adrenaline that you can find in Formula 1 is unique. And therefore, I really hope that he will stay. But I cannot say more than that. And that’s why, as I said: try to be constructive, even if sometimes people in certain situation can be dragged in certain emotional dimension, which are not the things that we need for our sport.
RV: How difficult is the balancing act in general to find the balance between younger fans, new fans, and the diehard fans and to keep both happy?
SD: I tell you one thing… and that’s why I take the example of turbo era, because I’m old enough to remember a lot of things. Now people say, ‘lift and coast’. Lift and coast has been always there. And it’s a problem of highlighting certain context in certain moments. Lift and coast was there even last year for fuel saving, and people never saw it. Last year, we were talking about tyres. This year, so far, the tyres [have] not been mentioned. Maybe it’ll come up again. And at the beginning, when the DRS was put in place, everyone [was saying], ‘Ah, what is this!?’ The purist will say it’s artificial. What I’m saying is that I’ve seen so many things – and before getting into a wrong conclusion, we need to wait a little bit.
This is a new era of regulation. But then, maximise this product as much as we can. Try to make this the most beautiful one that we can deploy together. Make it so that, you know, for example, now that the cars are more nervous to drive, puts the drivers in a different way of seeing his limits. Because before, basically, with a car with a full downforce, it really was the physical limit. Therefore, there are other things that you need to adjust in regulation that you have developed, you try to understand. And also, if you see what has happened since the first race up to the third, the management from the drivers of this new way of using the technology is definitely different.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
And there was just a little bit of learning curve that we need to give to everyone. Because as I said, this is a brand new package and the simulator cannot cover everything. So you need to have to run and need to understand really how to maximise everything. That’s what I’m saying. It’s different.
The incredible thing, if you look back and you know how to do that, you know, that’s always good to remember. Watch and listen what has been said. And after a couple of months, a couple of races, listen back or watch back. That’s why prudency is always of value, above all, when there is such a big step change in our sport. Therefore, as I said, it’s not [about] to be purist, not purist. You will see the cars will be faster at the end of the year in a different way. The drivers, it is a differentiating element of that sport. And it will always be the case. So as I said, for me, as a purist, let’s say in terms of age, at least for sure, you know, I would love to see [drivers in] quali really pushing as much as you can, because that’s really a dimension of a sport that is fantastic. On racing, you know, there’s going to be adjustments, but racing itself after three races is not bad at all. It’s different, definitely, but it’s not bad at all.
On future rules: “We don’t have to mix mobility and racing”
RV: You said if you go back in time five years, people have to understand the political landscape with the OEMs, everything going towards electrification, 50:50 split, etc. How have you seen that political landscape with the OEMs change since then? Because if you look at Ford, for example, they told me first they wanted to stop producing road cars only on combustion engines – and they kind of reverted that decision. We have some European Union rulings that are more in favour of combustion cars than ever before. So what does that mean for the upcoming cycle from 2030 onwards?
SD: I think first of all we are in a moment, a unique moment, where we don’t have to mix mobility and racing. But of course, racing is done by teams and manufacturers. And therefore, what I said, if you look how quickly the landscape of the manufacturers changed after Dieselgate – and I was at that time in Audi – is impressive. Therefore, if I connect these two elements that should be kept separate, it is true that at that time there was that clear indication from all the manufacturers that either we go in this direction – or we will not be interested in motorsport. And I could be even more direct. If we would have had an independent manufacturer, we could have said, you know what, okay, let’s offer a white label F1-FIA engine to the teams who want to race, let’s go for it. But we didn’t. There was no one at that time [to produce] like the old Ford Cosworth, the independent engine and so on. So that’s the status of five years ago.
Now it’s clear that electrification has shifted versus hybridisation. And everyone understands that if sustainable fuel will be there in terms of quantity with the right pricing for consumers, it could be the way to be realistically ready to tackle the emission point. Today we have 1.6 billion cars, something like that, plus commercial vehicles, plus trucks. If someone can believe that we can shift from day to night all these vehicles to electric cars – it’s impossible. Therefore, you know, unfortunately, I said that with responsibility, certain politicians at the European level didn’t understand that, creating problems for the European industry that is almost unrecoverable 1776773110 or difficult to recover. But that’s something related to the automotive industry.
Manufacturers are a vital piece of what we are doing. We need to thank them every day and every night because without them it would be impossible. But we cannot be anymore in a corner where manufacturers can dictate the pace to the sport. That’s a lesson learned that I think that will enable us, together with the FIA that is the main [body] responsible of regulation, the regulator, to find the right package that allow the two worlds to live, to co-exist. Because we want the manufacturers to be in, no doubt. But we cannot be put in a sort of a corner that ‘take it or leave it’. That’s the thing that we need to do in the next couple of years.
I definitely see, personally, but it’s up, of course, to the FIA to propose that, a sort of sustainable fuel [formula] for sure at the centre of the future [rules], with no discussion, with a different balance of what could be the electrification in the future with a strong internal combustion engine. Because that’s motorsport. It will allow to save a lot of kilos, to have pure racing in that respect, in terms of a lighter car, smaller cars that you can really push as much as you can.
So that, I would say, is going into the direction, I believe, but I’m not the only one, that’s my opinion. [With] that, the purists should be happier. But that’s what I believe, as I said, in terms of all the elements together that we need to consider. It would be wrong, you know, not to have learned what has happened. Even if, as I said, in terms of pure racing, the racing itself, with some adjustment, it is great [racing] on the track. Don’t misunderstand me that. But the car is still very heavy. The battery has put a lot of things that have to be considered when you design a car. So these are the things that we need to process and to react.
RV: One quick follow-up to that before we move on – because I think there are two questions on the table. The first one is what the next formula would look like, and you shared your personal opinion. The second is the time frame of that. Of course, a lot of chatter in the paddock of potentially bringing the new cycle slightly forward, if that’s possible. But how difficult is that also from a commercial perspective? Because still, the OEMs have done massive investment into these regulations.
SD: …Which we need to respect. Because at this moment to have a manufacturer that invests in Formula 1 is something incredible, it deserves our total respect. Because in this context, you don’t want to take that for granted. And let the FIA coordinate with their vision, what could be the right set of regulations that can be proposed to the manufacturers and to the teams.
The new regulations played a key role in attracting new manufacturers to Formula 1
Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Of course, we’re going to be together with the FIA in discussing that. This year, we need to decide what could be next [ruleset]. Of course, you can say the regulation in terms of governance is expiring at the end of 2030. The agreement is part in that. After that, there is the possibility for the FIA to produce a set of regulations that ‘take it or leave it, it is what it is’. We’re going to be together on that with the FIA for sure. And after, it’s a matter of understanding if there is the possibility to eventually anticipate it or not. That’s something that will be part of the discussion we’re going to have now.
On FIA: “The sport needs to have a strong federation”
Fil Cleeren: To your point earlier, it seems like you and the FIA, FOM and the FIA, are more aligned than you have been certainly 24 months ago. Is there a sense of you’re in this together and you need to deliver these regulations?
SD: I think what I can say is that the relationship with the president of the FIA, with the FIA is very strong, very, very strong. And we know that we are complementary to the sport. We will never do the role of the FIA as the FIA will never do the role as of a commercial rights holder and responsible for the promotion of the sport and so on.
So, there is a lot of good things that we have learned and which we are working together, as we try to do the best for this sport. And on that, you know, the advantage that we have is that we don’t have any direct interest. So we do that for the best of what we believe is the right direction for the sport. And that’s really a good sign, a good thing, because it’s a matter of trust. It’s a matter of having clear that the direction that we want to take this sport. And I think we prove with the facts: at the end of the day, you know, the F1 has never been so strong. So that means that so far the decisions were right. And we just need to stay focused.
There’s been such a big growth of our sport in such a short time that our biggest point of attention is to make sure that the legs of the table are strong enough to sustain our growth. That means our organisation, that means the organisation of all the ecosystem, the promoters, the broadcasters, the partners, the teams, the FIA, all of us, because of the success, we are in a situation where either we are solid enough to keep pushing for this growth or we’re going to pay the price – which will not be the case because we have the focus on what we have to do.
FC: Why has the relationship changed? What was the turning point?
SD: I think it’s a matter of understanding. It’s a matter of understanding each other better. And as I said, that’s a sort of a learning curve that has been taken. You know, I said at the beginning, you don’t need to be confrontational. And therefore, I think it’s a matter of understanding better and better. And therefore, today, we are in a situation where the line is very clear. The trust is definitely there. Therefore, it’s good for the sport. I do believe so, at least.
FC: And obviously, you signed a new governance concord. So there are certain expectations coming with that, with professionalising officials and so on. The FIA just published a report about the value that they bring, which I’m sure has its own reasons.
SD: Yeah, but I think that the expectation is we need to have a strong federation. The sport needs to have a strong federation. The sport needs to have a strong president who gives the guidance to the federation to manage the part of the sport they’re managing.
Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President and Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
You know, don’t forget that without the, – I start from the something that is not obvious, but is clear – without the volunteers that are coming to the track, a multi-billion sport would be not possible. I mean, without the marshals, without all the people working in the system, you know, we wouldn’t be here. Therefore, we need to make sure that there’s a huge respect for that. And we need to give all what is needed for them to keep attracting that in the right way, giving the right respect, the right visibility. And this is very, very important.
And on top of that, of course, the more you grow, the more you need to have a strong referee. You know, when you have the final of the World Cup, you need to have the best referee. We have a final of the World Cup every weekend, so we need to have the best referees that give the confidence to all the system, to the drivers, to everyone. That gives the strength of what we’re doing. And I think whatever is needed to invest, we are there to help and support because we know that is an element, if it’s not there, the credibility of the sport will disappear.
Therefore, and the regulations, they have to be the one that is to set the regulation with the expertise. If they need any support, we are there. And then they let us work on the commercial side of it, the development of the business, the growth of the sport. This is our duty. And I would say now I think it’s very clear the direction, the path, and the understanding, which allow me to say that we’ve never been so strong in giving the guidance for the future. Because as I said, everyone around us have a different interest. For us, the only interest is to make sure that this sport is growing.
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