The future of F1
The final race of the F1 season has always been a moment to look ahead and consider how the sport will evolve in the coming years. This remains true now, even though the most important verdict of the 2025 season – who will win the Drivers’ Championship – is still undecided. It is especially relevant to discuss the future in light of the technical revolution expected in 2026. In an in-depth interview with Sky Sport F1, Stefano Domenicali addressed this topic and many others, emphasizing how crucial it is for him to intervene in the structure of race weekends.
The mantra of the F1 CEO, which will annoy traditionalists but excite fans of the recent changes in the sport, is consistent with what he suggested a few months ago: fewer free practice sessions, more Sprint races. While this cannot be applied next season due to pre-defined sporting regulations, the conversation is set to evolve significantly for 2027.
Domenicali has a clear vision
“I have always believed that during the weekend – whether it lasts two or three days, this is irrelevant – there needs to be something to fight for from a sporting perspective,” Stefano Domenicali said during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend – “The introduction of Sprint races was done for this reason. Now, these Sprints are gaining popularity even among those who were more skeptical and conservative. They too have understood the importance of competing for something truly meaningful, a result that counts for points. This discussion is ongoing, and it is true that we are considering, respecting our commitments to promoters and broadcasters, how we can modify the weekend to make both on-track and off-track action more compact and dynamic. Will we have more than six Sprints in 2027? Yes,” Stefano Domenicali concluded.
In this context, free practice sessions are the first to be reconsidered. “Free practices may be interesting for engineers, for those setting up the car, but for fans following the most exciting aspects of what we do, they become boring because there is no sense of competing for a result,” he explained. Finally, Stefano Domenicali also seemed to take a subtle jab, partly in jest, at those who complain about the stress of having so many races: “I believe that 24 races represent a balanced calendar. I also enjoy seeing so many drivers and personalities who, between races, even have time to enjoy the sun, so evidently all this stress isn’t really there – it’s part of the game.” – the former Ferrari team boss concluded.
Love him or loathe him, Stefano Domenicali is determined to keep evolving the show. For traditionalists who cherish long Friday practice days, the writing appears to be on the wall: from 2027 onwards, Formula 1 weekends are going full entertainment mode.
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