Stefano Domenicali about the calendar and new regulations

In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Formula 1 head Stefano Domenicali spoke about the new regulations and the number of races on the calendar…

Question: Stefano, what tasks have you set yourself when writing the 2026 regulations?
Stefano Domenicali: We wanted to increase the contribution of the electric part of the drivetrain, reduce the role of the combustion engine and also use climate-neutral fuel. Taking these accents into account, we had to reconcile the interests of well-known and new manufacturers.

The chassis regulations arose from technical specifications. But the last word has not yet been said. We have sufficient time for additional adjustments. This should be a constructive process involving teams.

Question: Aren’t you afraid that teams will pursue their own interests?
Stefano Domenicali: It can happen. It is therefore important that the FIA ​​listens carefully to us and finds the right compromises. We must act wisely and look for reasonable solutions.

Question: Given that the combustion engine will run on environmentally friendly fuel, wouldn’t it be worthwhile to reduce the contribution of electric motors?
Stefano Domenicali: The political climate is always important. There were times when we had to be completely electrified. We chose a hybrid solution and then realized that we could show the world that there are other technologies – with environmentally friendly fuel. However, when the engine rules for 2026 were written, we still couldn’t do without hybrids.

At the time, it was important for manufacturers to make the hybrid part play a bigger role, but now the world has recognized that there are multiple ways to achieve sustainability. Manufacturers understand that our fuel approach can benefit their production vehicles. It is no coincidence that more and more manufacturers are showing interest in Formula 1. We know that Formula 1 finds a solution for every problem. If this is theoretically possible, Formula 1 engineers will find a solution tomorrow. Just look at how hybrid powertrains have developed since 2014.

Question: From today’s perspective, do we need hybrids at all?
Stefano Domenicali: Personally, I think it is enough to limit ourselves to environmentally friendly fuel. But we had to take the manufacturers’ wishes into account. Everything is happening so fast that today’s decision would be different from the one made two years ago.

I’m not an engineer, but I should have an idea of ​​what the sport will look like in the future. And I can imagine that in the next regulation we will focus on green fuels. Cars and motorcycles will become lighter and simpler, and engines will sound good again. This is important to the public. But for now, we need to focus on the next step, not what comes after.

Q: What else could the rules change for the 2026 chassis?
Stefano Domenicali: Maybe we should give a little more freedom in terms of aerodynamics. Increase downforce and improve energy management. I am sure the FIA ​​and the team engineers will find a reasonable solution. The basics are correct, but the regulations need some cosmetic work.

Q: Many rules are too complicated for spectators. Can’t they be made simpler?
Stefano Domenicali: The rules are generally too complicated. Also from the sports side. No one understands the fine system. Simplifying the rules is the task that the Formula 1 committee has set itself; they prepare proposals.

They are also too complex for teams. Can you imagine what it’s like for the audience? In my role I have to look at the sport through the eyes of the audience. They are our customer. I remember it from my previous job at Ferrari: if you get too caught up in the details, you quickly lose sight of the big picture. We rarely ask ourselves: What will we do if this or that happens?

Take Monaco for example. We know what to expect there. The track is what it is, our cars are what they are, and it’s almost impossible to overtake there. But a battle ensues at the pit stops.

This year a red flag appeared on the first lap, everyone automatically made a pit stop – and there were no more during the race. This must not happen again. We must anticipate such scenarios and use rules to prevent them.

Question: What are the reasons for the serious increase in Formula 1’s popularity?
Stefano Domenicali: We listen to our customers, try to understand where and how we can attract new fans, what they expect from us. This allows us to differentiate our target groups based on their interests.

We realized that there are different communication channels today than ten years ago. This allowed us to reach many more people with our product. It’s too easy to limit yourself to just Netflix. Netflix offers something that appeals to a specific group of fans. But we also attract viewers from other directions.

Now Formula 1 offers all kinds of entertainment for fans, communication and business opportunities for many companies. We brought the racers, our stars, closer to the public. They regularly visit fan zones. Their communication on social networks attracts new fans.

Q: But there are markets that are still struggling for you. An example is Germany? Why don’t these principles work here?
Stefano Domenicali: Tastes evolve and change from country to country. With the incredibly successful Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, interest in Germany was enormous. Then it faded. This is happening now in Brazil. They miss the great hero they have become accustomed to over the decades. I am convinced that interest in Germany will return with the start of the battle between Mercedes and Audi.

Question: Is there a risk of oversaturation of the calendar due to the increase in the number of races?
Stefano Domenicali: I don’t think 24 Grand Prix is ​​much. Look at other sports. Football and basketball are played every day. They entertain their fans much more intensely. In terms of quantity, we have much less content.

However, compared to other sports, we are developing very well. Everyone who is connected to our sport in one way or another should be happy with the current situation.

When a sport is as good as it is now, with many possible winners, fans count down the days until the next race. The battle has never been so fierce. Today we are talking about gaps of 0.078 or 0.093 seconds. On a circle longer than four or five kilometers this is less than a tenth. We sometimes see such gaps in the 100 meter race.

24 races is a nice number. Each phase has its own character. The Monaco Grand Prix was certainly not the most exciting in history, but it did deliver some of the best viewing figures in the world. We want to keep a balance between old and new tracks. Although there are still many countries that want to organize the Grand Prix.

Question: Circuits such as Spa can remain on the racing calendar thanks to the rotation principle.
Stefano Domenicali: We’re thinking about rotation. Most likely we will try it in Europe first.

Q: Can the organizer recoup the $30 million fee without government help?
Stefano Domenicali: If that weren’t the case, we wouldn’t have so many races. Every market has its own laws. But 90% of organizers receive some form of government support because the Grand Prix makes a huge contribution to the region’s economy, creating many jobs and new business connections and generating tax revenue.

Question: Are you planning to expand the number of stages with the Saturday sprint?
Stefano Domenicali: That’s the goal. The figures show that there is interest in this.

Question: How dangerous is it for Formula 1 to get too greedy and go too far?
Stefano Domenicali: We are not too greedy. We invest where we see growth opportunities. This is good.

It is important to stay grounded when things are going well. We need to listen and observe what our customers like and what they don’t like. We must remember that things can change quickly. Consider the Covid-19 pandemic. This could have been the end of us. But we have found a way out of this crisis and have benefited from being the first world sport to be back on the market. We understood that we would lose money for two years to survive its consequences. But it has helped us build a better future.