Stefano Domenicali urges calm as F1 drivers criticise new regulations
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali has called for patience following strong criticism from world champions regarding the sport’s radical new regulations for the upcoming season.
The four active title holders – Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Lando Norris – have all expressed concerns about the driving characteristics of the revamped machinery.
However, the sport’s chief executive insists that reaction to the overhaul should be measured during this early phase of development.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, the former Ferrari team principal emphasised that adjustments remain an option if specific issues persist.
“We need to avoid overreaction because it’s just the beginning of a new journey, so that’s why I say we need to stay calm,” said Domenicali.
Drivers equate new era to ‘Formula E on steroids’
The sport is undergoing its most significant regulatory shift in history, featuring changes to chassis, tyres, and power units alongside the debut of carbon-neutral sustainable fuels.
Drivers have specifically targeted the new engine formula, which demands constant and substantial energy management to achieve optimum lap times.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen likened the experience to “Formula E on steroids,” suggesting the increased hybrid reliance has fundamentally altered the driving style.
Veteran driver Fernando Alonso claimed he could drive “like a chef” through high-speed corners due to the necessity of lifting off the throttle to harvest electrical energy.
Lewis Hamilton described the technical regulations as “ridiculously complex,” while Lando Norris admitted the current iteration is “certainly not the purest form of racing.”
“It’s a new concept where it has to be, of course, improved if needed,” Domenicali acknowledged.
Attracting new manufacturers remains priority
Despite the backlash from the cockpit, Domenicali highlighted that the engine regulations successfully enticed Audi and Cadillac to enter the championship while convincing Honda to remain.
The 58-year-old Italian believes the driving adjustments will soon be viewed as standard practice within the paddock.
He argues that the technical intricacies debated by drivers are internal matters that rarely concern the global fanbase of 900 million viewers.
“I am pretty confident this will evolve in a situation that, at the end of the year, no-one will remember what we are talking about today,” he added.
His primary focus remains on preserving the spectacle of overtaking and the visible challenge presented to the competitors.
Domenicali concluded that if the racing product suffers, the governing body is prepared to “intervene and restart immediately.”