The contract renewal confirming Stefano Domenicali on the helm of Method 1 Group for the subsequent 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 staff and system that shall be wanted to proceed this path of progress. Personally, I used to be additionally more than happy to really feel recognition from throughout the sport.”
Right here is the previous staff principal’s full interview for Motorsport Italy:
Gathering broad consensus just isn’t one thing to be taken with no consideration in Method 1—fairly the alternative, it’s uncommon. The whole lot evolves rapidly, and simply two days after saying the contract extension with Liberty Media, Domenicali signed the brand new Concorde Settlement, the business platform that defines Method 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 strategy to the problems affecting our world of Method 1, so we’d like the involvement of each the FIA and the groups.”
Let’s follow strategic selections. In current months, there’s been a lot discuss varied engine philosophies Method 1 may 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 Method 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 feel 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 will have been completely fallacious. We have to respect those that have invested massive sums in a posh and expensive venture; altering the principles now would have despatched the fallacious message. If we had known as the earlier selections into query (relating to energy items), 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 bundle. The Worldwide Federation, together with the producers and groups, can at all times consider whether or not there are features that may be improved. We’re on the eve of a historic regulatory change, and personally, I imagine it’s crucial for the entire system to simply accept the thought of permitting sooner restoration occasions for a producer if we discover a big efficiency hole. I feel this can be a subject that completely should be addressed quickly—it’s a scenario that might have an effect on anybody.”
That gained’t be simple, given the aggressive mentality that has at all times existed in Method 1…
“I feel all of us must assume strategically. Having one staff dominate for too lengthy just isn’t good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary progress and has turn into a reference on a global stage. We must be happy 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 automotive producers concerned in Method 1. Given the worldwide economic system is much from secure immediately, do you assume that situation may repeat itself?
“It might be fallacious to not think about that risk, particularly as a result of the economic system goes via a troublesome interval—Renault left Method 1 after a few years. I need to make clear one thing: for us, main producers are important, however we’re large enough to know that if a serious disaster hits the sector, massive automotive teams may very well be pressured to make troublesome selections.”
“That’s why I imagine it’s necessary for us to think about simplifying issues and considerably reducing prices, whereas additionally working to take care of a technical hyperlink with the event of applied sciences which might be additionally helpful for street mobility—like sustainable fuels, which may complement electrical automobiles available on the market. 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 subject, however it at all times appears a bit obscure. What precisely does it imply?
“Longtime followers—individuals round my age—must rethink their technical views on what creates efficiency and technological curiosity. It’s a elementary subject. The deal with sustainable fuels is totally proper, however however—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 will 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 feel it’s crucial to establish the areas the place we will discuss know-how as leisure. What was related prior to now is way much less so immediately and is now not sufficient to persuade a producer to put money into our sport. We have to face this situation and have the braveness to simply accept that many issues have advanced.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been a number of discuss 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 at all times been a part of Method 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 immediately, however there nonetheless stays nice mental capability amongst these working in Method 1 to push every thing to the restrict. Personally, I really feel immediately’s technical controversies are actually minor in comparison with the previous. The truth is, 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 awesome deal?
“It’s an enormous success, however as at all times with new tasks, you’ll be able to’t anticipate to recoup your funding in a really quick time. If we decide the occasion itself—what Las Vegas has been and is for Method 1—we’re undoubtedly a hit. Past the media consideration and visibility, it has allowed us to strike business offers that may have been a lot more durable with out Las Vegas.”
Is it a showcase for the ‘Method 1 system’?
“Completely. And I’ve no drawback confirming that the occasion’s prices for the Las Vegas neighborhood are very excessive. Beginning this 12 months, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is underneath 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 impression of the Las Vegas weekend has, for 2 consecutive years, been very important—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 overlook that whereas we’ve made nice progress not too long ago 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 appropriate phrase. Earlier than we transfer ahead in that route, we’d like ensures in three areas. First, the investments should profit the local people, not simply because Method 1 is there but additionally for the host nation’s economic system as an entire. Second, infrastructure: it’s not sufficient to have a monitor; we additionally want motels, roads, airports, every thing. 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 will say, okay, let’s go. However we’re not there but.”
What has Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari dropped at Method 1?
“Seeing it from the attitude of an Italian residing overseas, the curiosity it has generated has been huge—it’s given Method 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 automotive that won’t translate on to Ferrari. It takes some calm when altering environments fully. He gained the dash race in China, however all it takes is one much less good weekend and opinions shift once more. We must 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 may push from begin to end.
“We’ll by no means make everybody glad. 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 essentially the most thrilling a part of racing—it’s pure that folks need extra on-track motion. That’s why we pushed for necessary 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 every thing concerning the sport, and others are newer and don’t have a deep Method 1 tradition. I feel it’s as much as us to clarify our sport higher—it might sound trivial and it’s not simple, however many features must be defined. In fact, on-track motion stays essentially the most fascinating component.”
Method 1 has reinvented itself with a brand new technology of drivers. Do you agree {that a} extremely proficient group has emerged?
“Sure. I feel we’re witnessing one thing distinctive. I’m more than happy as a result of it exhibits the feeder sequence are working properly—it’s nice information for our sport. I additionally assume these younger drivers must be protected. I assumed it was proper to present Hadjar an encouraging message in Melbourne, and we’ve seen what he’s able to. I additionally assume it’s necessary to help Lawson after his robust season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very properly—he’s 18 years previous, 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 aspect for his Method 1 debut.”
In the long run, Method 1 has welcomed an eleventh staff…
“The Cadillac venture will assist us make an excellent larger impression 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 venture 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 may open the door to extra races in the US.”
However will the variety of Grands Prix at all times stay 24, or may it enhance?
“I verify—it would keep at a most of 24.”
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