Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali insists that the quality of the sport remains his main focus, and he has no concerns about the impact of the changes coming for the 2026 season.
Since drivers first started running 2026 models in factory simulators some have expressed concerns about the kind of racing we might see.
Domenicali insists that if the field isn’t close enough – which could happen if there’s a disparity of performance between power units – the mechanisms exist to bring the field closer together.
“As we always said, the sport is at the heart of our platform, and no one has to doubt about it,” he said.
“You know that next year we’re going to have change. In order to be to be calm with the fact that the technology applied to F1 has been always very relevant we will have sustainable fuel at the centre of the of the new power train.
“And it is normal to think that when there is such a big change of regulation, there could be a big difference at the beginning.
“But the regulation is done in a way that if this would happen, we know that there are mechanisms to make sure that the gaps can be reduced in a smaller time than normal.
“And therefore this is a very important element to keep the dynamic of our sport at the centre. And if you didn’t have these dynamics, no one would have been interested to come in in our sport.
“That’s why this is for sure, one of the main focus that we need to keep the centre of our business the sport and the racing itself.”
Domenicali believes that there will be plenty to keep people interested in 2026.
“I think the fact that on the paddock, everyone believes that he is faster than the other means that there are so many variables that everyone believes to have the secret of being more competitive,” he said.
“I do believe that of course the level of technology that is needed in terms of knowledge is not only the power unit. We forget that it’s a new car. We forget that it’s a total different dynamic on how you have to drive your car – it’s dynamic aerodynamics.
“It’s a different way to manage the tyres. It’s a different way to manage energy. It’s a different way for the drivers to drive with the new regulations.
“So everyone is really focused, and the beauty of that is that we have still teams that are fighting for points that will be converted in dollars at the end of the season for the championship.
“So there are still some developing during the last couple races, because no one wants to give up. So it’s all fascinating. I think that really all the elements of attention are there and on which we should be very, very proud.”
Adam Cooper F1 