Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, sees no problem in slightly reducing the distance of the GPs and defended changes to keep the category connected to an increasingly younger audience. The executive also confirmed the continuation of the Sprint format and pointed out the need to make the category less dependent on manufacturers.
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The discussion about the technical future of F1 gained importance with the proximity of talks between the category and the FIA, about the next generation of power units and cars. According to Domenicali, the change in the industrial scenario requires a new assessment of priorities, especially in the face of the evolution of electrification.
“When the regulation change we are experiencing today was discussed, it seemed that the future was defined by electrification. Today that is no longer the case,” he said. For him, less complex technical solutions can help the category preserve its independence, as long as they maintain cost and performance goals. Domenicali also highlighted the importance of sustainable fuels and lighter cars, allowing drivers to have greater control of the machines.
On the sporting aspect, the executive did not rule out reducing the GPs by two or three laps: “I don’t think there would be a negative effect if we are talking about reducing by two or three laps. If this became something more significant, it would be a different discussion,” he said, relating the idea to the younger audience’s lower willingness to follow very long events.
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Sprint races will also continue on the calendar, but in less than half of the stages, ruling out a format similar to MotoGP. Domenicali said that even he had doubts initially, but the data showed good acceptance among promoters, media, and fans. The change follows a transformation in the audience profile, which according to the CEO, went from an average age of 57 to 34 years, while women now represent about 40% of the audience.
Domenicali also mentioned the impact of Kimi Antonelli in Italy, and reinforced that the challenge is to turn peaks of interest into a lasting relationship with new fans: “We must avoid it being a growth peak that then abandons us,” he concluded. China, South America, the Far East, and Africa appear as regions with expansion potential, while Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain under monitoring regarding safety and calendar operation.
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