F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is proposing shortened reverse-grid races, new qualifying formats and points for practice in his ongoing attempt to improve the spectacle of Formula 1.
Domenicali has made it his mission to attract new fans to the sport by reimagining the F1 weekend, which has remained largely static for decades bar tweaks to the qualifying format.
The biggest change in years was last year’s trial introduction of sprint qualifying at three rounds, which sees the Sunday grid decided by a 100-kilometre race on Saturday afternoon.
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The regular three-part qualifying hour sets the sprint grid but is moved to Friday evening, replacing second practice.
But that’s not the extent of Domenicali’s imagination.
The F1 boss said he intends to propose more dramatic changes to all weekends to reduce meaningless practice running and improve the overall spectacle of the sport in what’s sure to generate a flashpoint between him, the teams and, most importantly the FIA.
“The sprint race was only the first example of what could be improved,” he told the Corriere della Sera.
“On a normal weekend, those comprising free practices one and two on Friday, every session should give away points or there should be single-lap qualifying or qualifying for a different and shorter Saturday race instead of third practice, perhaps with a reverse grid mechanism.
“We are putting lots of things on the table. Many say no, but we have seen on some occasions the beauty of having shuffled grids, more overtaking. We have an obligation to try it.
“I would like to always fight for something that is worth something for the title.”
Bold changes have typically garnered limited support in Formula 1, particularly among the teams, the most powerful of which are historically reluctant to back shake-ups to the status quo lest they lose their performance advantages.
But Domenicali said the general success of the sprint format was evidence that the sport could tolerate more changes.
“We have to try it,” he said. “It’s a principal of life.
“The purists turn up their noses, but F1 over the years has changed the qualifying format tens of times.
“To have more spectacle is a need that cannot be postponed.
“It’s a sport as well as a show. The two elements are combined.
“We will address the theme in the next F1 Commission meeting. The fans, the organisers — everyone wants it.”
But Domenicali doesn’t decide the rules, and any sweeping changes will likely run aground at the F1 Commission and particularly with the governing body, the FIA, which has made a habit this year of flexing its rule-making authority under new president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Ben Sulayem came to power at the height of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix controversy, which the Formula One Group, owned by Liberty Media and headed by Domenicali, was fearful would tarnish the sport’s reputation just as it was experiencing a boom in popularity.
The governance of the sport has lurched from controversy to controversy since, whether it be inconsistency in penalties, the co-ordination of the new race control model that sees power shared between two race directors or even the messy attempts to clamp down on the previously unenforced ban on certain jewellery being worn in the car.
Just last weekend at the Italian Grand Prix the use of the safety car to end the race generated a small furore.
But more frustrating has been the FIA’s sudden reversal on its support to expand the number of sprint races next season.
Sprint qualifying is still officially a trial despite being well received by fans and race promoters, who have happily accepted the sacrifice of one hour of practice for an extra race.
Domenicali eventually won the support of all 10 teams to expand the trial to six races next season, but the FIA unexpectedly sunk a vote on the matter earlier this year, saying it was “still evaluating the impact of this proposal on its trackside operations and personnel”.
The rejection is said to be on financial grounds, with the FIA wanting a boost in the amount of money it makes from Formula 1.
It currently earns a tiny fraction of the profit earnt by the sport under the terms of the 100-year lease agreed by its former president Max Mosley and ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. Formula 1 reported revenue of more than US$2 billion last year despite the ongoing effects of the pandemic.
Ben Sulayem denied to the Daily Mail earlier this year that he blocked the expansion of sprint races in search for more cash, though he went on say, “if I had, I would have wanted to use it in the right way — to invest in the proper regulation of the sport”.
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Asked by Corriere della Sera whether his relationship with the FIA and Ben Sulayem “weren’t easy”, Domenicali answered with a straight bat.
“Relations between F1 and the FIA are the cornerstone of success,” he said. “We’re obliged to maximise the commercial part, they’re responsible for the sporting decisions from the point of view of the regulations, which now concern the financial controls too.
“The new president took office in January and is building his team.
“We meet almost every day. The relationship must continue to be one which respects everyone’s responsibilities.
“The most important thing is to stay together and have a common vision for F1.”
