Stefano Domenicali believes Formula 1 has never been stronger, with sold-out Grands Prix, a growing global audience, rising team values and increasing commercial investment giving the championship an exceptionally solid platform for the future. The Formula 1 President and CEO says the sport has become a reference point for other major leagues while continuing to attract new supporters without losing the enthusiasm of its established fanbase.
Formula 1 is experiencing one of the most positive periods in its recent history. Audience figures and circuit attendance continue to reach new levels, commercial partners are increasing their involvement and investors are showing greater interest in the teams. According to Stefano Domenicali, that progress now touches almost every part of the business.
Stefano Domenicali says Formula 1 popularity is at an all-time high
For Stefano Domenicali, the current moment is unprecedented in the championship’s modern era. The Italian executive highlighted the number of people following Formula 1, attending races and continuing to respond positively to the direction in which the sport is developing.
“The situation we are experiencing today is truly extraordinary,” Stefano Domenicali said. “The championship is at its highest level in terms of the number of people following it, coming to the circuits and continuing to appreciate what we are doing. We are seeing a huge number of new fans arriving, but those who have followed Formula 1 for years are also continuing to experience the sport with enthusiasm.”
Ticket demand provides one of the clearest indications of that popularity. Grand Prix weekends regularly sell out well in advance, while strong demand is already extending to future events on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
“Practically every event is sold out, even when we look at future races,” Stefano Domenicali continued. “It is a sign of the strength of the platform we have built.”
However, the objective is not simply to increase spectator numbers. Formula 1 also wants newcomers to understand the identity and values of the championship rather than approaching it only as another entertainment product.
“We want new people to come closer to Formula 1, but it is essential that they truly understand what our sport represents,” the Formula 1 President and CEO explained.
Stefano Domenicali identified competition, technology, entertainment and awareness of developments in the wider world as the principles the championship must continue to communicate. “Competition, technology, fun, spectacle and attention to what is happening in the world are the elements we want to continue conveying.”
Formula 1 has become a benchmark for other sports
The championship’s growth extends well beyond race attendance. Stefano Domenicali also described Formula 1’s commercial position as extremely favourable, with more partners satisfied by the direction of the championship and greater investment flowing into its teams.
“If I look at the commercial dimension, we are in an extremely positive situation,” Stefano Domenicali said. “We have more and more partners who are satisfied with the work we are doing.”
The economic value of the teams has also continued to rise. “Investment in the teams keeps increasing, and the value of every franchise grows practically every six months. It is something that has never happened in any other sport.”
According to Stefano Domenicali, major leagues around the world are now examining Formula 1’s business model to understand how the championship achieved its recent expansion.
“Today we are a reference point for the leading sports leagues, which look at Formula 1 to understand how we have managed to achieve these results,” he explained. “We have learned to listen to an ecosystem that continues to grow. The only way to succeed is to remain relevant to all the communities we want to involve.”
That confidence also extends to broadcasting and streaming agreements. Formula 1 has continued exploring different approaches across major markets, including the more collaborative distribution model examined through its media strategy in the United States.
“From a commercial perspective, everything also appears extremely solid, especially when we think about the future of media rights,” Stefano Domenicali added.
How Formula 1 preserved the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Maintaining as many events as possible on the schedule was another central theme of Stefano Domenicali’s comments. Formula 1’s leadership has continued searching for alternatives whenever an existing event has faced disruption.
“Whenever someone asks us what the next step will be, the answer is always the same: to continue looking for new opportunities,” he said. “One example is what we did to recover the Bahrain Grand Prix. We absolutely wanted to keep it on the calendar, but we had precise deadlines by which we needed to make a decision.”
The solution was made possible through cooperation between the parties involved. The Bahrain Grand Prix was retained but moved to Malaysia, where Sepang International Circuit will stage the event between the Azerbaijan and Singapore rounds.
“Together, we managed to find a new way forward by organising the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia,” Stefano Domenicali said. “It is a sign of cooperation and of the ability to look beyond traditional structures.”
The unusual arrangement ensures the race remains part of the championship despite being held away from Sakhir. Sepang officials have also confirmed that the event will take place in the afternoon, correcting the confusion created when the official Formula 1 app briefly suggested a night race. The full clarification is available in the update on the 2026 Sepang Grand Prix start time.
Zandvoort prepares for its final Formula 1 weekend
Looking towards the second half of the season, Stefano Domenicali also discussed two important European events. The Dutch Grand Prix will mark the end of Formula 1’s current chapter at Zandvoort, making the weekend particularly significant for the organisers and supporters.
“Zandvoort will close an extraordinary cycle,” Stefano Domenicali said. “It has been a promoter capable of raising the standard of event organisation, particularly during the period following the pandemic.”
The Dutch venue returned to Formula 1 with a distinctive fan atmosphere and a highly regarded approach to event promotion. The championship has already confirmed that the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix will be Zandvoort’s final edition under the current arrangement.
The last weekend will include the Sprint format, adding further sporting importance to the occasion. Session details and television information are available in the complete 2026 Dutch Grand Prix schedule.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli could bring a new colour to Monza
Monza will follow Zandvoort, and Stefano Domenicali expects a particularly interesting atmosphere at the Italian Grand Prix because of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s growing popularity. Ferrari red has traditionally dominated the grandstands, but the success of the young Mercedes driver could create a different visual dynamic.
“Perhaps we will see a different colour in the grandstands alongside the traditional Ferrari red,” Stefano Domenicali suggested.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is attracting a younger audience and generating interest that extends beyond his performances on the track. The Italian driver’s rise has already sparked debate over whether supporters in Italy are beginning to divide their loyalty between Ferrari and a home-grown championship contender.
“Kimi’s impact is not only about his results on the track, but also his personality,” Stefano Domenicali said. “He is bringing a very young generation of fans into our ecosystem, and that represents enormous value for the whole of Formula 1.”
Monza could provide the clearest indication yet of that effect, with the growing attention around the Mercedes driver beginning to challenge Ferrari’s traditional dominance of Italy’s Formula 1 conversation.
Formula 1 targets growth in the United States, Europe and China
Alongside the championship’s sporting growth, Liberty Media continues to work on Formula 1’s international expansion. Stefano Domenicali confirmed that agreements have been renewed with major partners across several regions, while attention remains focused on the evolution of both established and developing markets.
“We have renewed agreements with very important partners in different areas of the world,” Stefano Domenicali explained. “We are closely following developments in the United States, but also in Europe, which is becoming a very important market again thanks to the growth in the numbers.”
China is viewed as another market with considerable potential. The response to the Shanghai event provided encouraging evidence that Formula 1 can expand further across Asia.
“China represents a market with enormous opportunities for expansion,” Stefano Domenicali said. “The success achieved in Shanghai this year gave us extremely positive signals. The entire Asian region is destined to grow very significantly over the coming years.”
Demand to join the calendar is also continuing. “We keep receiving requests from all over the world to host a Formula 1 race.”
That level of interest gives Formula 1 greater confidence when planning future seasons. Stefano Domenicali believes the championship has built a stable foundation extending towards the end of the decade.
“We have an extremely solid base on which to build our strategy and, at least until 2028 or 2029, we can talk about very strong stability for the championship.”
Work on future schedules is already continuing, with Stefano Domenicali previously outlining when Formula 1 expects to present the 2027 calendar and how contingency options could influence its final shape.
Technology and sustainable fuels shape Formula 1’s future
Stefano Domenicali is also looking beyond the immediate commercial and calendar priorities. Technology, sustainable fuels and the continuing development of the championship’s broader platform will all play central roles in Formula 1’s future direction.
“We need to understand what the future of technology, sustainable fuels and the entire sporting platform—which is becoming increasingly large—will look like,” he said.
Formula 1 could also work with other major sporting leagues to raise awareness and reach markets where the championship does not yet have a significant presence.
“We could develop projects together with other major sports leagues to increase awareness of Formula 1 and reach markets where we are not currently present,” Stefano Domenicali explained.
Consultation with the championship’s main stakeholders remains a constant part of the decision-making process. “Every week, I meet with drivers, teams and the FIA to understand which aspects we need to consider when making decisions. We have a duty to develop Formula 1 from a commercial perspective as well, creating value for the entire system.”
For Stefano Domenicali, the combination of record popularity, commercial stability and opportunities for further expansion gives Formula 1 strong reasons for confidence.
“I am very happy with the moment our sport is experiencing and even more excited about what lies ahead,” he concluded. “There are so many opportunities in front of us that we must know how to seize, working together to continue growing Formula 1.”
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