Domenicali Reveals Key Goals for F1’s 2026 Vision

Domenicali unveils pivotal changes for F1, placing engines at the core of 2026’s strategy.

F1 to enter a new regulatory era in 2026, encompassing both chassis and next-generation hybrid engines. Stefano Domenicali, the CEO, explains that the objective of the research conducted by Formula 1 engineers was to achieve a good balance between spectacle and technology.

“I would say that this dilemma exists at the end of each regulatory cycle. And what F1 and the FIA have always done, I truly believe, has been to anticipate the need for this change,” stated Domenicali.

“And, of course, we keep in mind that we want to have very good competition on the track, to give drivers the opportunity to express themselves, and to ensure that with the development budget cap and limitations, teams can catch up more quickly in order to reduce the gap between the teams.”

“On the other hand, we have the duty to anticipate things that are relevant in terms of technology to keep at the heart of our platform is so important. That’s why, two years ago, we made the decision to place at the center the new power unit with sustainable fuel.”

“Skeptics” will change their minds in 2026

Domenicali acknowledges that the forthcoming regulations are drawing criticism, particularly regarding the performance of the future F1 cars, but he remains confident about the final product: “It was necessary to place this unit at the center because in terms of technological challenges, it appeared at that time to be the most important.”

“So, I believe that this is part of the game and that the teams are already working on planning for the year 2026, as the regulations will be very, very different. But I am sure that those who are very skeptical about what we typically try to anticipate will think differently as soon as we see the action on the track.”

“And as Greg rightly said, I distinctly recall how people without experience thought that the regulations we are currently applying would slow the cars down by more than six or seven seconds and that there wouldn’t be such scenarios,” he stated.

“Therefore, I believe we are doing what is necessary and, as always in life, one must be brave to try to anticipate things in the right way, and that is what we have done.”

Maffei believes F1 has quelled “the doubts” in 2022

Greg Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media, defends the work done on the 2022 regulations and their effectiveness. Furthermore, the American expects the research to yield results in a similar fashion for the upcoming 2026 regulations.

“We believe that the regulations are designed to create more exciting races, while achieving many other goals around issues such as sustainability and things that assist our manufacturing partners in driving innovation.”

“We are therefore acting on several fronts. I think people had doubts about the nature of these regulations, about how they would be implemented when we introduced them last time. And in many ways, as we noted earlier, we have never had as competitive racing.”

“We hope the 2026 regulations will do the same. But as you rightly point out, it’s possible someone might find a way to get ahead, but we believe they are designed to create more parity and more exciting races, and they should do so over time.”