The contract renewal confirming Stefano Domenicali on the helm of System 1 Group for the following 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 will probably be wanted to proceed this path of progress. Personally, I used to be additionally more than happy to really feel recognition from throughout the sport.”
Right here is the previous staff principal’s full interview for Motorsport Italy:
Gathering broad consensus is just not one thing to be taken as a right in System 1—fairly the other, it’s uncommon. The whole lot evolves shortly, and simply two days after asserting the contract extension with Liberty Media, Domenicali signed the brand new Concorde Settlement, the business platform that defines System 1’s monetary future.
“The monetary elements are settled; now we have to finalize the governance half, which includes 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 wish to change is to have a extra strategic and fewer tactical strategy to the problems affecting our world of System 1, so we want the involvement of each the FIA and the groups.”
Let’s stick to strategic selections. In current months, there’s been a lot discuss numerous engine philosophies System 1 may 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 System 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 may have been completely mistaken. We have to respect those that have invested massive sums in a fancy and dear undertaking; altering the foundations now would have despatched the mistaken message. If we had known as the earlier selections into query (relating to energy items), it could 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 at all times 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 concept of permitting sooner restoration occasions for a producer if we discover a big efficiency hole. I believe this can be a subject that completely have to be addressed quickly—it’s a scenario that might have an effect on anybody.”
That gained’t be straightforward, given the aggressive mentality that has at all times existed in System 1…
“I believe all of us have to assume strategically. Having one staff dominate for too lengthy is just not good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary progress and has develop into a reference on a global stage. We ought to be pleased with this, but additionally very cautious.”
You had been there in 2009–10 through the nice exodus of greater than half the automobile producers concerned in System 1. Given the worldwide financial system is much from secure at present, do you assume that situation may repeat itself?
“It will be mistaken to not think about that risk, particularly as a result of the financial system goes by way of a troublesome interval—Renault left System 1 after a few years. I wish to make clear one thing: for us, main producers are important, however we’re large enough to know that if a significant disaster hits the sector, massive automotive teams could possibly be compelled to make troublesome selections.”
“That’s why I imagine it’s essential for us to think about simplifying issues and considerably slicing prices, whereas additionally working to take care of a technical hyperlink with the event of applied sciences which can be additionally helpful for highway 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 significant disaster that forces manufacturers to droop racing applications, permit us to react independently and discover various options.”
Simplification is a recurring subject, but it surely at all times 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 elementary subject. The concentrate on sustainable fuels is totally proper, however however—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 principally 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 will discuss know-how as leisure. What was related up to now is far much less so at present and is not sufficient to persuade a producer to spend money on our sport. We have to face this problem and have the braveness to simply accept that many issues have developed.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been a whole lot of discuss versatile wings, with technical controversies returning.
“I’ve skilled loads of these firsthand—I bear in mind the case involving us (after 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 at all times been a part of System 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 System 1 to push all the things 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 an awesome deal?
“It’s an enormous success, however as at all times with new initiatives, you’ll be able to’t count on to recoup your funding in a really brief time. If we choose the occasion itself—what Las Vegas has been and is for System 1—we’re undoubtedly taking a look at successful. Past the media consideration and visibility, it has allowed us to strike business offers that might have been a lot tougher with out Las Vegas.”
Is it a showcase for the ‘System 1 system’?
“Completely. And I’ve no downside confirming that the occasion’s prices for the Las Vegas group are very excessive. Beginning this 12 months, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is below our direct central administration—the working group for the GP now stories on to us, so we’ve revised the organizational construction to hurry up funding restoration. We wish to contain native buyers extra. The financial influence 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 group. 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 proper phrase. Earlier than we transfer ahead in that path, we want ensures in three areas. First, the investments should profit the local people, not simply because System 1 is there but additionally for the host nation’s financial system as an entire. Second, infrastructure: it’s not sufficient to have a monitor; we additionally want lodges, roads, airports, all the things. Third, there have to 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 will say, okay, let’s go. However we’re not there but.”
What has Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari dropped at System 1?
“Seeing it from the angle of an Italian dwelling overseas, the curiosity it has generated has been monumental—it’s given System 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, growing interpersonal dynamics and technical understanding of the automobile that won’t translate on to Ferrari. It takes some calm when altering environments solely. He gained 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 as a right. 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 may push from begin to end.
“We’ll by no means make everybody blissful. The Suzuka race was very intense. For followers who additionally learn the timing screens, it was a rare race. However there have been no overtakes, and I perceive that for a lot of followers, that’s essentially the most thrilling a part of racing—it’s pure that folks need extra on-track motion. That’s why we pushed for necessary two-stop methods within the Monaco GP and requested Pirelli to retain a tire that degrades.”
Is a compromise between degradation and race depth potential?
“We have now two fan bases. Some know all the things concerning the sport, and others are newer and don’t have a deep System 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. After all, on-track motion stays essentially the most charming component.”
System 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 more than happy as a result of it exhibits the feeder collection are working effectively—it’s nice information for our sport. I additionally assume these younger drivers ought to be protected. I believed it was proper to provide Hadjar an encouraging message in Melbourne, and we’ve seen what he’s able to. I additionally assume it’s essential to assist Lawson after his robust season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very effectively—he’s 18 years previous, let’s not overlook that—and I’m pleased with 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 facet for his System 1 debut.”
In the long run, System 1 has welcomed an eleventh staff…
“The Cadillac undertaking will assist us make a fair larger influence on the American market. The discussions we had developed—the second proposal we acquired was a lot stronger than the primary. Now it’s as much as the undertaking to show itself, select two good drivers, and transfer ahead. The arrival of such a significant model will profit the entire system—for instance, it may open the door to further races in the USA.”
However will the variety of Grands Prix at all times stay 24, or may it enhance?
“I verify—it’ll keep at a most of 24.”
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
