The contract renewal confirming Stefano Domenicali on the helm of Method 1 Group for the subsequent 5 years got here nearly by acclamation. “Crucial side for me was receiving complete belief from the management of Liberty Media. They assured me most freedom in establishing the staff and system that can be wanted to proceed this path of progress. Personally, I used to be additionally very happy to really feel recognition from inside the sport.”
Right here is the previous staff principal’s full interview for Motorsport Italy:
Gathering broad consensus will not be one thing to be taken without any consideration in Method 1—fairly the other, it’s uncommon. All the things evolves rapidly, and simply two days after asserting 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 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 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 Method 1, so we want 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 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 believe 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 will have been completely incorrect. We have to respect those that have invested giant sums in a posh and dear mission; altering the principles now would have despatched the incorrect message. If we had known as the earlier selections into query (concerning 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 essential for the entire system to simply accept the thought of permitting sooner restoration occasions for a producer if we discover a big efficiency hole. I believe this can be a subject that completely should be addressed quickly—it’s a state of affairs that would have an effect on anybody.”
That received’t be straightforward, given the aggressive mentality that has all the time existed in Method 1…
“I believe all of us have to suppose strategically. Having one staff dominate for too lengthy will not be good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary progress and has develop into a reference on a world stage. We needs to be happy with this, but additionally very cautious.”
You had been there in 2009–10 through the nice exodus of greater than half the automotive producers concerned in Method 1. Given the worldwide economic system is much from steady at present, do you suppose that state of affairs might repeat itself?
“It might be incorrect to not take into account that risk, particularly as a result of the economic system goes via 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 serious disaster hits the sector, giant automotive teams could possibly be pressured to make tough selections.”
“That’s why I imagine it’s essential 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 might be additionally helpful for street mobility—like sustainable fuels, which might complement electrical automobiles available on the market. These are selections that may assist producers stick with us or, within the occasion of a serious disaster that forces manufacturers to droop racing applications, enable us to react independently and discover different options.”
Simplification is a recurring subject, nevertheless it all the time appears a bit obscure. What precisely does it imply?
“Longtime followers—folks round my age—have to rethink their technical views on what creates efficiency and technological curiosity. It’s a basic subject. The concentrate on 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 believe it’s essential 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 at present and is not sufficient to persuade a producer to put money into our sport. We have to face this problem and have the braveness to simply accept that many issues have advanced.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been a number of speak about versatile wings, with technical controversies returning.
“I’ve skilled loads of these firsthand—I bear 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 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 at present, 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 at present’s technical controversies are actually minor in comparison with the previous. Actually, 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 a terrific deal?
“It’s an enormous success, however as all the time with new initiatives, 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 a hit. Past the media consideration and visibility, it has allowed us to strike industrial 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 drawback confirming that the occasion’s prices for the Las Vegas neighborhood are very excessive. Beginning this 12 months, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is beneath 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 impression of the Las Vegas weekend has, for 2 consecutive years, been very important—even larger 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 overlook that whereas we’ve made nice progress not too long ago within the U.S. market, there’s nonetheless big room for progress. We have to increase 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 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 observe; we additionally want inns, roads, airports, all the pieces. Third, there should 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 Method 1?
“Seeing it from the angle of an Italian dwelling overseas, the curiosity it has generated has been monumental—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 automotive that won’t 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 good weekend and opinions shift once more. We should 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 comfortable. 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 doable?
“We’ve got 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 believe it’s as much as us to elucidate our sport higher—it could sound trivial and it’s not straightforward, however many elements should be defined. In fact, on-track motion stays probably 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 believe we’re witnessing one thing distinctive. I’m very happy as a result of it reveals the feeder collection are working properly—it’s nice information for our sport. I additionally suppose these younger drivers needs to be protected. I believed 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 essential to help Lawson after his powerful season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very properly—he’s 18 years outdated, let’s not overlook that—and I’m proud of 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 an excellent larger impression 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 serious model will profit the entire system—for instance, it might open the door to further races in america.”
However will the variety of Grands Prix all the time stay 24, or might it enhance?
“I affirm—it’ll keep at a most of 24.”
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