The contract renewal confirming Stefano Domenicali on the helm of System 1 Group for the subsequent 5 years got here virtually by acclamation. “A very powerful facet for me was receiving complete belief from the management of Liberty Media. They assured me most freedom in establishing the crew and system that might be wanted to proceed this path of development. Personally, I used to be additionally very happy to really feel recognition from throughout the sport.”
Right here is the previous crew principal’s full interview for Motorsport Italy:
Gathering broad consensus shouldn’t be one thing to be taken with no consideration in System 1—fairly the alternative, it’s uncommon. Every little thing evolves shortly, and simply two days after saying 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 features 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 need to change is to have a extra strategic and fewer tactical method to the problems affecting our world of System 1, so we want the involvement of each the FIA and the groups.”
Let’s persist with strategic selections. In latest 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 laws. That may have been completely incorrect. We have to respect those that have invested giant sums in a posh and expensive undertaking; altering the principles now would have despatched the incorrect message. If we had known as the earlier selections into query (relating to energy models), 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 all the time consider whether or not there are features that may be improved. We’re on the eve of a historic regulatory change, and personally, I imagine it’s crucial for the entire system to simply accept the thought of permitting quicker restoration occasions for a producer if we discover a major efficiency hole. I believe this can be a matter that completely have to be addressed quickly—it’s a scenario that would have an effect on anybody.”
That gained’t be straightforward, given the aggressive mentality that has all the time existed in System 1…
“I believe all of us have to suppose strategically. Having one crew dominate for too lengthy shouldn’t be good for anybody. Our sport is experiencing extraordinary development and has change into a reference on a global degree. We must be pleased with this, but additionally very cautious.”
You had been there in 2009–10 throughout the nice exodus of greater than half the automobile producers concerned in System 1. Given the worldwide financial system is way from steady right now, do you suppose that situation may repeat itself?
“It might be incorrect to not think about that risk, particularly as a result of the financial system goes by means of a troublesome interval—Renault left System 1 after a few years. I need 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, giant automotive teams may very well be compelled to make troublesome selections.”
“That’s why I imagine it’s vital for us to think about simplifying issues and considerably chopping prices, whereas additionally working to keep up a technical hyperlink with the event of applied sciences which might be additionally helpful for street mobility—like sustainable fuels, which might complement electrical automobiles in the marketplace. These are selections that may assist producers stick with us or, within the occasion of a significant disaster that forces manufacturers to droop racing packages, permit us to react independently and discover various options.”
Simplification is a recurring matter, nevertheless it all the time 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 basic matter. The give attention to sustainable fuels is totally proper, however then again—and I say this considerably provocatively—seeing groups make investments large sums to design and construct their very own gearboxes now not makes the sense it as soon as did. The efficiency delta you will get from that’s now mainly zero.”
“It’s additionally a know-how that followers have already absorbed, it doesn’t spark curiosity anymore. I believe it’s crucial to establish the areas the place we will discuss know-how as leisure. What was related prior to now is way much less so right now and is now not sufficient to persuade a producer to spend money on our sport. We have to face this difficulty and have the braveness to simply accept that many issues have developed.”
From mid-2024 onward, there’s been loads of discuss versatile wings, with technical controversies returning.
“I’ve skilled loads of these firsthand—I bear in mind the case involving us (once 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 all the time 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 right now, however there nonetheless stays nice mental capability amongst these working in System 1 to push every part to the restrict. Personally, I really feel right now’s technical controversies are actually minor in comparison with the previous. In actual fact, 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 a terrific deal?
“It’s an enormous success, however as all the time with new tasks, you’ll be able to’t count on to recoup your funding in a really quick time. If we choose the occasion itself—what Las Vegas has been and is for System 1—we’re undoubtedly taking a look at a hit. Past the media consideration and visibility, it has allowed us to strike business offers that might have been a lot more durable 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 studies on to us, so we’ve revised the organizational construction to hurry up funding restoration. We need to contain native traders 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 maintain investing and believing in it. Let’s not neglect that whereas we’ve made nice progress just lately within the U.S. market, there’s nonetheless large room for development. We have to increase consciousness much more.”
Is Africa on maintain?
“That’s not the appropriate 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 observe; we additionally want accommodations, roads, airports, every part. 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 huge—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, creating interpersonal dynamics and technical understanding of the automobile that will not translate on to Ferrari. It takes some calm when altering environments fully. 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 with no consideration. In Bahrain, everybody anticipated a boring race, and in each instances, that didn’t occur—individuals are too fast to evaluate.”
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 pleased. 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 probably 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 attainable?
“We now have two fan bases. Some know every part 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 might sound trivial and it’s not straightforward, however many features should be defined. In fact, on-track motion stays probably the most charming aspect.”
System 1 has reinvented itself with a brand new era of drivers. Do you agree {that a} extremely proficient group has emerged?
“Sure. I believe we’re witnessing one thing distinctive. I’m very happy as a result of it exhibits the feeder collection are working properly—it’s nice information for our sport. I additionally suppose these younger drivers must be protected. I assumed it was proper to present Hadjar an encouraging message in Melbourne, and we’ve seen what he’s able to. I additionally suppose it’s vital to help Lawson after his robust season begin—we have to humanize these younger males.”
“Kimi is doing very properly—he’s 18 years outdated, let’s not neglect that—and I’m proud of how Mercedes is supporting and defending him. It’s good to see he’s staying grounded, nonetheless very a lot a younger man who needs his household by his facet for his System 1 debut.”
Ultimately, System 1 has welcomed an eleventh crew…
“The Cadillac undertaking will assist us make an excellent 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 extra races in the USA.”
However will the variety of Grands Prix all the time stay 24, or may it enhance?
“I verify—it is going to keep at a most of 24.”
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