Red Bull Supercars driver Scott Pye criticized Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali after the executive stated that “no one cares about how you drive your car.” For the Australian, the statement disrespects fans who follow the technical details of the category.
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The controversy began after criticism of the broadcasts of the most recent races, especially in the British and Belgian GPs, where the car data graphics were not shown. Information such as battery, speed, and braking stopped appearing, making it difficult to understand strategies and overtakes.
The absence of data drew attention because both tracks had lower energy recovery, reducing the battery available to the drivers. At Spa-Francorchamps, for example, there were cases of “super-clipping,” with cars losing performance at the end of the Kemmel straight and reaching speeds close to GT3 models. The graphics returned at the Hungarian GP, where the tighter layout did not present problems related to battery management.
During a conversation with George Lucas in Hungary, Domenicali explained his view on the new Formula 1 fans: “No one cares about how you drive your car,” said the category’s CEO. “I had an interesting discussion with George Lucas in Hungary, and he gave me an incredible insight into how new fans are watching F1. They are fascinated by the fact that there is a lot of action. [They] don’t care about the throttle angle, or the percentage of brake pressure on how you can overtake a driver.”
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The statements provoked an immediate reaction from Scott Pye, who disagreed with the idea that fans do not value technical data. “For Stefano Domenicali to be there insulting the fans, does anyone here really care about the graphics on the halo that were removed? I know I care. I care,” said the Australian on the Apex Hunters podcast.
Pye also questioned Formula 1’s decision to remove this information from broadcasts. “Okay, and we know that Formula 1 simply removed it because they think we’re too stupid to realize that the car is slowing down in the middle of the straight because the battery ran out.”
The driver also mocked George Lucas’s participation in the conversation and argued that fans want to understand the technical elements of the competition: “And then insult us, making us look like idiots just because we care about the throttle percentage and what is needed to really overtake someone. I would love to see an onboard camera during braking with some data on the dashboard, please. Thank you.”
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