Andretti’s arrival, relationship with the FIA, freedom of speech, Stefano Domenicali opens up
From the arrival of a new team in F1, through respecting the budget cap to its relationship with the FIA, F1 President Stefano Domenicali spoke in an interview. Here's what you need to remember.
The Italian granted a long interview to the American channel Sky Sports, which was broadcast on Sunday evening. He reviews all the topics that are currently in the news.
The potential arrival of an eleventh team.
Regarding this, Domenicali doesn’t see any problem with it on one condition: it must bring a real added value. He criticizes Andretti’s clumsy statements, which were insulting towards the current teams.
« We are very welcoming to anyone who brings value to the race,” he declared.
« I think that we should respect everyone. There are teams like Mario and Michael Andretti who don’t hide their desire to enter Formula 1. But in my opinion, it is not intelligent to say that these teams are greedy. There are others who are much less vocal and would like to enter Formula 1. So, there is a process to be respected and we will ensure, with the FIA, that this process is respected. There are many dimensions to consider and we don’t have to react excessively just because someone is pushing the system.
Respecting the budget ceiling
Implemented for the 2022 season, it was not respected by Red Bull, who has been handed a penalty for the upcoming season. Domenicali wishes for a quicker resolution of this type of infringement.
“D” What we discussed together [note: with the FIA] is that for the credibility of the sport, this type of action to verify if everyone respects this rule must be done earlier, rather than later,” declared the F1 president.
“F”
Regarding the F1-FIA relationship.
It’s a broad subject! Several controversies have recently erupted between the two institutions whose relationship is strained. While Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced stepping back, Stefano Domenicali hopes to continue working closely with him.
With the arrival of Mohammed Ben Sulayem as the new president last year, it was clear that, as usual when there is a new president, there is a manifesto that he must respect because it was his proposal in front of the members who voted for him, he explained.
There is no secret to say that the key to the success of our sport is for everyone to do their job, in the right way, for the benefit of the sport’s growth. We all have an interest in ensuring that the sport develops. We are all united, if someone doesn’t do the right job, there will be a problem.
We have discussed with him. He is the president of the FIA – it’s a major role, he has many championships. I expect to be in contact with him to discuss the future of our sport.
The sale of F1
That was the reason for the clash with the FIA in January when Ben Sulayem expressed his opinion regarding the offer from a Saudi sovereign fund, which had considered buying F1 for $20 billion. The proposal was rejected by Liberty Media, whose interest is not to sell at the moment.
« I don’t think [note: that F1 is for sale], but it’s a question that should be asked to the shareholders. I don’t think so because we are investing in Formula 1, you see what we are putting in terms of real money, for example, we bought a land for $240 million to build new facilities in Las Vegas. We will even invest up to a billion dollars there. We are very happy with the current situation. I am in constant contact with the shareholders. F1 is like the jewel in their portfolio.
The freedom of expression of pilots
This is one of the new rules for 2023. Drivers will only be allowed to speak on political subjects after validation from the FIA. This is causing widespread discontent within the paddock. On his end, Domenicali defends speaking out in a respectful manner.
It is us who, with WeRaceAsOne, have created the discussion by using our platform in the right way. I don’t believe it is about preventing the driver from communicating with the community, it is a matter of respect. What I don’t like is when someone wants to say something to attack another person, that’s wrong. But there is also the respect for the partners you work with. It’s important to be balanced.
I would say that there won’t be any change in what has been done in F1, giving us the chance to talk about something more than just the sport in the right way. There are places where you can do it, but there is respect for your partners.
