The contract renewal confirming Stefano Domenicali on the helm of Method 1 Group for the following 5 years got here virtually by acclamation. “A very powerful side for me was receiving complete belief from the management of Liberty Media. They assured me most freedom in organising the crew and system that might be wanted to proceed this path of development. Personally, I used to be additionally more than happy to really feel recognition from inside the sport.”
Right here is the previous crew principal’s full interview for Motorsport Italy:
Gathering broad consensus shouldn’t be one thing to be taken without any consideration in Method 1—fairly the alternative, it’s uncommon. Every little thing evolves rapidly, and simply two days after saying the contract extension with Liberty Media, Domenicali signed the brand new Concorde Settlement, the industrial 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 method to the problems affecting our world of Method 1, so we want the involvement of each the FIA and the groups.”
Let’s follow strategic choices. In current months, there’s been a lot discuss numerous 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 flawed. We have to respect those that have invested giant sums in a posh and dear undertaking; altering the principles now would have despatched the flawed message. If we had referred to as the earlier choices into query (relating to energy items), it could have been an enormous mistake.”
So, full steam forward with no second ideas?
“Nothing stops us from persevering with to work to enhance the package deal. 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 consider it’s essential for the entire system to simply accept the thought of permitting sooner restoration occasions for a producer if we discover a major efficiency hole. I feel this can be a matter 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 at all times existed in Method 1…
“I feel all of us have to assume strategically. Having one crew dominate for too lengthy shouldn’t be good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary development and has turn out to be a reference on a global degree. We needs to be pleased 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 automobile producers concerned in Method 1. Given the worldwide economic system is much from secure immediately, do you assume that state of affairs may repeat itself?
“It will be flawed to not take into account that chance, particularly as a result of the economic system goes by a tough 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 significant disaster hits the sector, giant automotive teams might be pressured to make tough choices.”
“That’s why I consider it’s essential for us to contemplate simplifying issues and considerably reducing prices, whereas additionally working to keep up a technical hyperlink with the event of applied sciences which can be additionally helpful for street mobility—like sustainable fuels, which may complement electrical autos 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 packages, enable us to react independently and discover various options.”
Simplification is a recurring matter, however it at all times appears a bit imprecise. What precisely does it imply?
“Longtime followers—individuals round my age—have to rethink their technical views on what creates efficiency and technological curiosity. It’s a basic matter. The concentrate on sustainable fuels is completely proper, however then again—and I say this considerably provocatively—seeing groups make investments large sums to design and construct their very own gearboxes not makes the sense it as soon as did. The efficiency delta you may get from that’s now mainly zero.”
“It’s additionally a expertise that followers have already absorbed, it doesn’t spark curiosity anymore. I feel it’s essential to determine the areas the place we will discuss expertise as leisure. What was related prior to now is way much less so immediately and is not sufficient to persuade a producer to spend money on our sport. We have to face this problem and have the braveness to simply accept that many issues have developed.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been quite a lot 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 all the things to the restrict. Personally, I really feel immediately’s technical controversies are actually minor in comparison with the previous. In reality, 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 initiatives, 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 successful. Past the media consideration and visibility, it has allowed us to strike industrial offers that might have been a lot tougher with out Las Vegas.”
Is it a showcase for the ‘Method 1 system’?
“Completely. And I’ve no downside confirming that the occasion’s prices for the Las Vegas neighborhood are very excessive. Beginning this yr, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is below 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 traders extra. The financial influence 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 lately within the U.S. market, there’s nonetheless large room for development. We have to elevate consciousness much more.”
Is Africa on maintain?
“That’s not the precise phrase. Earlier than we transfer ahead in that path, we want ensures in three areas. First, the investments should profit the area 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 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 will say, okay, let’s go. However we’re not there but.”
What has Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari delivered to Method 1?
“Seeing it from the angle of an Italian dwelling 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 automobile that will not translate on to Ferrari. It takes some calm when altering environments totally. He received the dash race in China, however all it takes is one much less sensible weekend and opinions shift once more. We must 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 circumstances, that didn’t occur—persons are too fast to evaluate.”
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 pleased. The Suzuka race was very intense. For followers who additionally learn the timing screens, it was a rare 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 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 doable?
“We now have two fan bases. Some know all the things in regards to the sport, and others are newer and don’t have a deep Method 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 features must be defined. After all, on-track motion stays essentially the most charming 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 reveals the feeder sequence are working nicely—it’s nice information for our sport. I additionally assume these younger drivers needs to be protected. I assumed it was proper to offer Hadjar an encouraging message in Melbourne, and we’ve seen what he’s able to. I additionally assume it’s essential to help Lawson after his powerful season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very nicely—he’s 18 years previous, 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 Method 1 debut.”
Ultimately, Method 1 has welcomed an eleventh crew…
“The Cadillac undertaking will assist us make a fair better influence on the American market. The discussions we had developed—the second proposal we obtained was a lot stronger than the primary. Now it’s as much as the undertaking 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 further races in the US.”
However will the variety of Grands Prix at all times stay 24, or may it enhance?
“I affirm—it is going to keep at a most of 24.”
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