Domenicali addresses 2026 F1 regulatory challenges

Domenicali Addresses 2026 Regulatory Challenges

Formula 1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali has reaffirmed his confidence in the sport’s 2026 technical regulations, even as stakeholders work to address emerging concerns regarding the new era of competition. While the championship has seen a surge in global interest and increased overtaking, the shift toward a 50-50 split between internal combustion and hybrid power has prompted criticism from drivers and fans alike.

Balancing Performance and Regulation

Drivers have expressed concerns over the need for "lift-and-coast" tactics and the requirement to back off in high-speed corners to recharge batteries. These issues have sparked debate over the quality of qualifying sessions, where the expectation remains that drivers should be able to push to the absolute physical limits of their machinery.

“Qualifying has been always the place where the driver has to push as much as you can, and to see where the physical limits of the car and the driver really are,” Domenicali said. “That's an area where we are working in these weeks, together with the drivers, together with the teams, coordinated by the FIA to see what the right adjustment could be without losing the right [track].”

Stakeholders are currently engaged in a series of meetings, with the goal of implementing short-term adjustments ahead of next month’s Miami Grand Prix. Domenicali emphasized that the sport is approaching these changes with a "solid foundation" and "no panic."

A Global Surge in Interest

Despite the technical hurdles, F1’s internal metrics suggest the sport is in a period of unprecedented growth. The first three races of the 2026 season—held in Australia, China, and Japan—were sold out, and TV viewership in major markets has risen by 25% year-on-year.

“If I see the survey of what is [going on] all around the world with new fans of Formula 1, the result is magnificent,” Domenicali noted. “Everybody is saying: 'What is going on?' A lot of action, and this is what people want to see.”

Regarding the increased overtaking, which some have labeled as artificial due to battery management, Domenicali pushed back, drawing comparisons to the fuel-saving requirements of the 1980s turbo era. “What is artificial? Overtaking is overtaking,” he stated. “People have a short memory, because in the turbo age in the 80s, you [had] to save [fuel] in the race because otherwise the fuel tank was too small. And it's part of the game.”

Looking Toward the Future

The current regulatory cycle was born from the necessity to align with the automotive industry's pivot toward electrification. However, as the car industry re-evaluates its aggressive move toward EVs, Domenicali anticipates that the next rules cycle, due in five years, may look significantly different. He suggested that the integration of sustainable fuels could eventually allow for a return to V8 engines paired with smaller hybrid components.

For now, the focus remains on constructive dialogue. Domenicali dismissed critics who offer feedback without substance, insisting that the sport is committed to a path that respects manufacturer investment while safeguarding the core DNA of Formula 1.

“The discussions that have been in place since many months with the FIA, with the teams, now even more with the drivers, are going in the right direction,” he concluded. “We are managing it in the right way, with no panic, with a solid foundation, being ready to have different options.”