The contract renewal confirming Stefano Domenicali on the helm of Components 1 Group for the following 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 establishing the workforce and system that will probably be wanted to proceed this path of progress. Personally, I used to be additionally very happy to really feel recognition from throughout the sport.”
Right here is the previous workforce principal’s full interview for Motorsport Italy:
Gathering broad consensus just isn’t one thing to be taken as a right in Components 1—fairly the alternative, it’s uncommon. All the pieces 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 Components 1’s monetary future.
“The monetary elements 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 strategy to the problems affecting our world of Components 1, so we’d like the involvement of each the FIA and the groups.”
Let’s persist with strategic selections. In current months, there’s been a lot speak about numerous engine philosophies Components 1 might 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 have been on the desk, somebody tried to suggest an extension of the present laws. That may have been completely incorrect. We have to respect those that have invested massive sums in a posh and dear undertaking; altering the principles now would have despatched the incorrect 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 elements 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 just accept the thought of permitting sooner restoration instances 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 gained’t be simple, given the aggressive mentality that has at all times existed in Components 1…
“I feel all of us must assume strategically. Having one workforce dominate for too lengthy just isn’t good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary progress and has grow to be a reference on a global stage. We needs to be pleased with this, but in addition 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 Components 1. Given the worldwide economic system is way from secure at present, do you assume that situation might repeat itself?
“It will be incorrect to not think about that risk, particularly as a result of the economic system goes by way of a tough 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 large enough to know that if a serious disaster hits the sector, massive automotive teams could possibly be pressured to make tough selections.”
“That’s why I consider it’s essential for us to think about simplifying issues and considerably chopping prices, whereas additionally working to take care of a technical hyperlink with the event of applied sciences which can be additionally helpful for highway mobility—like sustainable fuels, which might complement electrical automobiles in the marketplace. These are decisions that may assist producers stick with us or, within the occasion of a serious disaster that forces manufacturers to droop racing packages, enable us to react independently and discover different options.”
Simplification is a recurring matter, nevertheless it at all times appears a bit imprecise. 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 matter. The deal with sustainable fuels is completely proper, however alternatively—and I say this considerably provocatively—seeing groups make investments big 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 principally 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 speak about expertise as leisure. What was related previously is far much less so at present and is now not sufficient to persuade a producer to put money into our sport. We have to face this difficulty and have the braveness to just accept that many issues have advanced.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been plenty 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 at all times 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 at present, however there nonetheless stays nice mental capability amongst these working in Components 1 to push every part to the restrict. Personally, I really feel at present’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 incredible deal?
“It’s an enormous success, however as at all times with new tasks, you possibly can’t count on to recoup your funding in a really quick time. If we choose 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 will 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 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 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 just lately within the U.S. market, there’s nonetheless big room for progress. We have to elevate consciousness much more.”
Is Africa on maintain?
“That’s not the proper phrase. Earlier than we transfer ahead in that route, we’d like ensures in three areas. First, the investments should profit the area people, not simply because Components 1 is there but in addition for the host nation’s economic system as an entire. Second, infrastructure: it’s not sufficient to have a observe; we additionally want motels, roads, airports, every part. 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 Components 1?
“Seeing it from the angle of an Italian dwelling overseas, the curiosity it has generated has been huge—it’s given Components 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, growing interpersonal dynamics and technical understanding of the automobile that will not translate on to Ferrari. It takes some calm when altering environments solely. He gained 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 as a right. In Bahrain, everybody anticipated a boring race, and in each instances, 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 might 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 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 attainable?
“We have now two fan bases. Some know every part 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 could sound trivial and it’s not simple, however many elements must be defined. After all, on-track motion stays essentially the most charming aspect.”
Components 1 has reinvented itself with a brand new technology of drivers. Do you agree {that a} extremely gifted group has emerged?
“Sure. I feel we’re witnessing one thing distinctive. I’m very happy as a result of it reveals the feeder collection 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 provide 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 robust season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very nicely—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 facet for his Components 1 debut.”
Ultimately, Components 1 has welcomed an eleventh workforce…
“The Cadillac undertaking will assist us make a good better affect 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 undertaking 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 might open the door to further races in the USA.”
However will the variety of Grands Prix at all times stay 24, or might it improve?
“I verify—it should keep at a most of 24.”
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