The contract renewal confirming Stefano Domenicali on the helm of Components 1 Group for the subsequent 5 years got here nearly by acclamation. “Crucial facet for me was receiving whole belief from the management of Liberty Media. They assured me most freedom in establishing the staff and system that will probably be wanted to proceed this path of development. 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 shouldn’t be one thing to be taken without any consideration in Components 1—fairly the other, it’s uncommon. Every little thing evolves shortly, and simply two days after saying the contract extension with Liberty Media, Domenicali signed the brand new Concorde Settlement, the business platform that defines Components 1’s monetary future.
“The monetary points are settled; now we have to finalize the governance half, which entails not solely the groups but in addition 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 method 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 numerous engine philosophies Components 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 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 feel there have been some heavy-handed makes an attempt. As a result of future discussions had been on the desk, somebody tried to suggest an extension of the present rules. That might have been completely unsuitable. We have to respect those that have invested massive sums in a fancy and expensive mission; altering the foundations now would have despatched the unsuitable message. If we had referred to 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 all the time consider whether or not there are points 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 just accept the concept of permitting quicker restoration occasions for a producer if we discover a major efficiency hole. I feel it is a subject that completely have to be addressed quickly—it’s a scenario that might have an effect on anybody.”
That received’t be straightforward, given the aggressive mentality that has all the time existed in Components 1…
“I feel all of us must suppose strategically. Having one staff dominate for too lengthy shouldn’t be good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary development and has turn into a reference on a world stage. We must be pleased with this, but in addition very cautious.”
You had been there in 2009–10 throughout the nice exodus of greater than half the automotive producers concerned in Components 1. Given the worldwide financial system is much from steady immediately, do you suppose that state of affairs may repeat itself?
“It could be unsuitable to not think about that risk, particularly as a result of the financial system goes via a troublesome 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 significant 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 chopping prices, whereas additionally working to keep up a technical hyperlink with the event of applied sciences which are additionally helpful for highway mobility—like sustainable fuels, which may complement electrical automobiles available on the market. These are selections that may assist producers stick with us or, within the occasion of a significant disaster that forces manufacturers to droop racing applications, enable us to react independently and discover various options.”
Simplification is a recurring subject, nevertheless it all the time appears a bit imprecise. What precisely does it imply?
“Longtime followers—folks round my age—must rethink their technical views on what creates efficiency and technological curiosity. It’s a basic subject. The deal with sustainable fuels is totally proper, however then again—and I say this considerably provocatively—seeing groups make investments big sums to design and construct their very own gearboxes 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 are able to speak about know-how as leisure. What was related up to now is way much less so immediately and is not sufficient to persuade a producer to put money into our sport. We have to face this subject and have the braveness to just accept that many issues have advanced.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been a whole lot 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 immediately, however there nonetheless stays nice mental capability amongst these working in Components 1 to push all the things to the restrict. Personally, I really feel immediately’s technical controversies are actually minor in comparison with the previous. In actual fact, 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 incredible deal?
“It’s an enormous success, however as all the time with new initiatives, you possibly can’t count on to recoup your funding in a really brief time. If we decide the occasion itself—what Las Vegas has been and is for Components 1—we’re undoubtedly a hit. Past the media consideration and visibility, it has allowed us to strike business offers that might 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 12 months, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is below our direct central administration—the working group for the GP now stories on to us, so we’ve revised the organizational construction to hurry up funding restoration. We need to contain native buyers extra. The financial affect of the Las Vegas weekend has, for 2 consecutive years, been very important—even better 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 big room for development. We have to elevate consciousness much more.”
Is Africa on maintain?
“That’s not the best 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 in addition for the host nation’s financial system as a complete. Second, infrastructure: it’s not sufficient to have a monitor; we additionally want lodges, roads, airports, all the things. 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 dropped at Components 1?
“Seeing it from the attitude of an Italian residing overseas, the curiosity it has generated has been huge—it’s given Components 1 nice visibility. Then, after all, it is a sport, and curiosity can also 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 will not translate on to Ferrari. It takes some calm when altering environments completely. He received the dash race in China, however all it takes is one much less sensible weekend and opinions shift once more. We have to be a bit extra cautious. In Japan, a McLaren one-two was taken without any consideration. In Bahrain, everybody anticipated a boring race, and in each instances, that didn’t occur—persons 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 completely satisfied. 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 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 attainable?
“Now we have two fan bases. Some know all the things in regards to the sport, and others are newer and don’t have a deep Components 1 tradition. I feel it’s as much as us to elucidate our sport higher—it might sound trivial and it’s not straightforward, however many points have to be defined. In fact, on-track motion stays probably the most fascinating aspect.”
Components 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 collection are working effectively—it’s nice information for our sport. I additionally suppose 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 suppose it’s necessary to assist Lawson after his robust season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very effectively—he’s 18 years outdated, let’s not overlook that—and I’m pleased with 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.”
In the long run, Components 1 has welcomed an eleventh staff…
“The Cadillac mission will assist us make an excellent better affect on the American market. The discussions we had advanced—the second proposal we acquired 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 significant model will profit the entire system—for instance, it may open the door to extra races in the USA.”
However will the variety of Grands Prix all the time stay 24, or may it enhance?
“I verify—it’ll keep at a most of 24.”
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