F1: clash between Stefano Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem over more sprint races. Formula 1 faces internal tension as Stefano Domenicali pushes for more sprint races.

Formula 1 faces internal tension as Stefano Domenicali pushes for more sprint races

Formula 1 is still waiting to understand what direction its future will take. At the center of the debate is a clash between Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the current President of the FIA. The main battleground is the number of sprint races scheduled in the calendar. Liberty Media would like to increase the number of sprint events to ten, or even twelve, while the FIA fears that such a move would make the calendar too demanding for the teams.

The sport that fans know and love could be on the verge of a major transformation. Evolution is a natural part of sporting disciplines, even if it is not always welcomed by the more traditional part of the audience. Football’s introduction of VAR is a clear example, but there is no need to look beyond the world of Formula 1 to see how much the sport has already changed in recent years.

The paddock has become an increasingly glamorous environment, packed with VIPs, while drivers themselves now resemble Hollywood celebrities. On track, the action has also evolved, with stricter rules governing wheel-to-wheel battles and numerous technical limitations. Yet the biggest innovation – and the one that could shape the future of Formula 1 – remains the introduction of sprint races.

Dispute over sprint races: Ben Sulayem’s position

In recent weeks, Stefano Domenicali outlined his vision of what Formula 1 could look like in the years ahead. According to him, fans – particularly younger generations – are losing interest in the long Sunday Grands Prix, as well as in Friday free practice sessions. For Liberty Media, the solution would be to increase the number of sprint races in the short term, preparing the ground for an even deeper transformation of the championship in the future.

However, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has moved to put the brakes on this plan. Additional races would mean even greater strain for everyone involved in Formula 1, from marshals to team members. According to comments made by the Emirati former rally driver to Viaplay, it is the teams themselves who should be directly asked what direction the sport should take. For now, the matter remains unresolved, with the balance of power between the FIA and Liberty Media still in play.