The contract renewal confirming Stefano Domenicali on the helm of Method 1 Group for the following 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 organising 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 just isn’t one thing to be taken without any consideration in Method 1—fairly the other, it’s uncommon. All the pieces evolves shortly, and simply two days after asserting 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 elements are settled; now we have to finalize the governance half, which entails not solely the groups but additionally the FIA. That is one other key step for the long run as a result of it ensures regulatory stability. One of many issues we wish to change is to have a extra strategic and fewer tactical method to the problems affecting our world of Method 1, so we’d like the involvement of each the FIA and the groups.”
Let’s keep on with strategic selections. In latest months, there’s been a lot discuss numerous engine philosophies Method 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 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 mistaken. We have to respect those that have invested massive sums in a posh and expensive mission; altering the foundations now would have despatched the mistaken message. If we had known as the earlier selections into query (relating to energy models), 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 elements 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 thought of permitting sooner restoration occasions for a producer if we discover a big efficiency hole. I feel this can be a matter that completely have to be addressed quickly—it’s a state of affairs that would have an effect on anybody.”
That received’t be simple, given the aggressive mentality that has all the time existed in Method 1…
“I feel all of us must suppose strategically. Having one staff dominate for too lengthy just isn’t good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary development and has turn out to be a reference on a world stage. We ought to be happy with this, but additionally very cautious.”
You have been there in 2009–10 throughout the nice exodus of greater than half the automotive producers concerned in Method 1. Given the worldwide economic system is much from steady as we speak, do you suppose that situation might repeat itself?
“It could be mistaken to not take into account that chance, particularly as a result of the economic system goes via a tough interval—Renault left Method 1 after a few years. I wish 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, massive automotive teams could possibly be compelled to make tough 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 street mobility—like sustainable fuels, which may complement electrical autos in the marketplace. These are decisions 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 different options.”
Simplification is a recurring matter, but it surely all the time 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 basic matter. The deal with sustainable fuels is totally proper, however alternatively—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 principally 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 discuss know-how as leisure. What was related previously is far much less so as we speak 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 developed.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been plenty of discuss versatile wings, with technical controversies returning.
“I’ve skilled loads of these firsthand—I keep 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 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 as we speak, however there nonetheless stays nice mental capability amongst these working in Method 1 to push all the pieces to the restrict. Personally, I really feel as we speak’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 all the time with new tasks, you may’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 Method 1—we’re undoubtedly taking a look at successful. Past the media consideration and visibility, it has allowed us to strike business offers that may 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 underneath our direct central administration—the working group for the GP now experiences on to us, so we’ve revised the organizational construction to hurry up funding restoration. We wish 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 hold investing and believing in it. Let’s not neglect that whereas we’ve made nice progress just lately 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 suitable phrase. Earlier than we transfer ahead in that course, we’d like 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 a complete. Second, infrastructure: it’s not sufficient to have a observe; we additionally want lodges, roads, airports, all the pieces. 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 delivered to 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, after all, this can be a sport, and curiosity can also be pushed by outcomes, and that takes time. Lewis spent a few years at Mercedes, growing 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 circumstances, 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 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 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 doable?
“We have now two fan bases. Some know all the pieces 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 elucidate our sport higher—it could sound trivial and it’s not simple, however many elements have to be defined. In fact, on-track motion stays probably the most fascinating aspect.”
Method 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 more than happy as a result of it reveals the feeder sequence are working properly—it’s nice information for our sport. I additionally suppose these younger drivers ought to be protected. I believed it was proper to offer Hadjar an encouraging message in Melbourne, and we’ve seen what he’s able to. I additionally suppose it’s necessary to help Lawson after his powerful season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very properly—he’s 18 years previous, let’s not neglect 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 desires his household by his aspect for his Method 1 debut.”
In the long run, Method 1 has welcomed an eleventh staff…
“The Cadillac mission will assist us make a good better affect on the American market. The discussions we had developed—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 might open the door to extra races in the US.”
However will the variety of Grands Prix all the time stay 24, or might it enhance?
“I affirm—it is going to keep at a most of 24.”
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
