Stefano Domenicali believes Formula 1 has moved beyond the fears and criticism that surrounded the introduction of the 2026 power units, with the championship now turning its attention towards its longer-term technical future. The Formula 1 president and CEO confirmed that discussions involving the FIA, teams and manufacturers are already examining lighter cars, sustainable fuels and future engine regulations that could potentially arrive before 2031.
Stefano Domenicali also expressed confidence that Max Verstappen will remain part of Formula 1. The Dutch driver has been one of the most influential critics of the championship’s technical direction, but Domenicali believes the future being shaped by the sport will ultimately satisfy him.
Stefano Domenicali says F1 has overcome its 2026 power unit fears
Stefano Domenicali has assessed a first half of the season that began with Formula 1 facing considerable difficulties. The opening rounds of the championship were accompanied by widespread criticism of the decisions behind the new generation of power units.
From the first pre-season tests in Bahrain until the third race of the campaign at Suzuka, the dominant issue was the challenging management of electrical energy. Several drivers expressed frustration at being forced to adopt a style of driving that felt unnatural compared with their previous Formula 1 experience.
Lewis Hamilton was among the drivers who publicly questioned the complexity of the new systems, with the Ferrari driver raising concerns about Formula 1’s new energy-management demands during the early stages of the season.
Five months later, however, Stefano Domenicali believes the situation has changed significantly.
“It is incredible to see how quickly situations can change,” Stefano Domenicali said. “I remember that at the beginning of this new regulatory cycle there was a lot of negativity and many concerns. Today, the atmosphere has changed significantly. It is part of the nature of our sport: at the beginning, there is always a tendency to see the problems rather than focusing on the opportunities that every change can offer.”
The improvement has resulted partly from the teams’ natural process of understanding the new machinery. It has also been supported by corrective measures introduced during the season by the FIA in collaboration with the power unit manufacturers and teams.
Ferrari’s initial work with the SF-26 showed how important the interaction between deployment, recovery and car balance had become, with the team demonstrating encouraging energy management during Bahrain testing despite other areas still requiring development.
Harvesting and clipping could return at Monza, Austin and Las Vegas
The difficulties have not disappeared entirely. At circuits such as Monza, Austin and Las Vegas, terms including harvesting, lift and coast and clipping are expected to return to the centre of the Formula 1 debate because of the demands those tracks place on electrical energy deployment and recovery.
Harvesting refers to the recovery of energy that can be stored in the battery, while clipping occurs when the available electrical deployment falls away before the end of a straight. Lift and coast requires drivers to release the accelerator before reaching the normal braking point, helping to save fuel or recover additional energy.
These techniques can influence how naturally drivers are able to attack a lap. However, the expectation is that Formula 1 will be able to leave the most significant concerns behind permanently in 2027 as the teams and manufacturers continue refining their systems.
Stefano Domenicali explained that the contrasting views expressed during recent months often reflect the different responsibilities held by the people involved.
“We are certainly not here to silence anyone. The beauty of sport also lies in the comparison of opinions, and it is essential that everyone is able to express them,” he said. “But an opinion ultimately remains an opinion. There are then those who have the responsibility to draw a line.
“It is understandable that some drivers prefer certain solutions over others, but I believe that during this process the need to maintain a constructive approach has emerged clearly.”
Stefano Domenicali calls for criticism to remain constructive
The Formula 1 CEO stressed that the 2026 changes were introduced for fundamental reasons and warned that repeatedly discussing individual concerns in public could turn a broader technical debate into something more personal and negative.
“I want to emphasise one concept again: these changes were introduced for a precise reason, a fundamental reason,” Stefano Domenicali continued. “Otherwise, we would not even be here today talking about our sport.
“The changes have already been made and, as you know, I always prefer to discuss problems behind closed doors in order to find a solution. However, I believe that the more people publicly insist on subjects that fall outside the wider picture, the more the debate risks moving onto a personal level and taking on a negative tone.”
Stefano Domenicali reiterated that the drivers’ feedback remains important, but argued that it must be considered as one part of a much wider process.
“You know how much respect I have for our protagonists, namely the drivers, but they must also understand that there is a common direction to follow and that the absolute priority must be the fans, ahead of anyone else, including me,” he explained.
“Everyone can have a personal opinion, but I have a duty to summarise what I believe is best for the good of the sport. We simply have to look ahead and continue growing Formula 1 together in the right direction.”
The willingness to balance individual demands with Formula 1’s wider commercial and sporting interests is also influencing planning for the championship’s next phase, including decisions surrounding the future shape of the Formula 1 calendar.
Future F1 engine regulations become a priority
The controversy surrounding the 2026 power units has made discussions about Formula 1’s future engine formula even more urgent. Those talks have been under way for some time, with the main parties broadly agreeing on the final objective but not necessarily on how it should be achieved.
“For me, the most important thing is that the debate takes place,” Stefano Domenicali said. “As we know, the final decision regarding the technical regulations rests with the FIA, but the discussions we are conducting also involve manufacturers, teams, drivers and, indirectly, the fans. I believe that is the correct way to proceed.”
The current regulations introduced a substantially greater electrical contribution, removed the MGU-H and placed even greater emphasis on sophisticated energy recovery and deployment. Detailed analysis of the new rules has also shown how the 2026 power units have changed driving techniques, including gear selection through slower corners.
For the next regulatory cycle, Stefano Domenicali wants Formula 1 to reduce complexity while preserving electrification and sustainability.
“I believe the main objective of the future regulations must be to keep Formula 1 as simple as possible: lighter cars, sustainable fuels, an appropriate level of electrification and, above all, giving the drivers the opportunity to push at the maximum for as long as possible,” he explained.
“It is something the drivers have been asking us for over a long period. For all the more technical aspects, I rely on the FIA, which I am convinced will present an appropriate proposal. I believe that by the end of the year, we will have a sufficiently defined package that can be discussed.”
Formula 1 could replace the current engine rules before 2031
Stefano Domenicali then outlined the possible scenarios connected with the scheduled end of the current regulations, leaving the door open for Formula 1 to accelerate the introduction of its next power unit formula.
“As you know, there are two possibilities,” he said. “The first is to wait until the conclusion of the current regulatory cycle, which means 2031. At that point, nothing would prevent the FIA from presenting completely new regulations and, naturally, every manufacturer would be free to decide whether or not to participate.
“I am taking the concept to an extreme, but I believe it is clear. The second possibility is to bring this process forward, but in that case, shared agreement and a governance structure involving the teams and manufacturers would be required. This will also be one of the subjects we discuss before the end of the season.”
The discussions will therefore have to reconcile Formula 1’s wish to simplify the cars with the technical and commercial interests of the manufacturers. Any accelerated change would require broad support rather than a unilateral decision from the championship’s commercial rights holder.
Why Stefano Domenicali expects Max Verstappen to remain in F1
Stefano Domenicali also discussed Max Verstappen, whose views carry particular weight whenever he takes a position on Formula 1’s technical direction. The Dutch driver’s status and influence mean his opinions attract considerable attention, something Domenicali regards as valuable for the championship.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were among the leading drivers to express concerns after experiencing the new generation of machinery, with the two world champions highlighting similar reservations about the 2026 regulations during the Bahrain test.
“I believe that the drivers who have already tried next year’s cars in the simulator are convinced that we are moving in the right direction, and I have also spoken about it with Max,” Stefano Domenicali said.
“We must not forget that a governance system exists: in order to change the regulations, the FIA, teams and manufacturers must agree. You know very well that we would have liked to be even more courageous in certain areas, but the final decisions also depend on what the teams are willing to accept.”
Stefano Domenicali believes Max Verstappen will ultimately be satisfied with the direction in which Formula 1 is developing.
“I believe Max will be happy with this direction. He is an extraordinary driver. I have said it so many times that perhaps I am even becoming boring by repeating it,” he added.
“I believe that, if he loves Formula 1 and shares the direction we are building together for the future of the championship, he will continue to be part of it. I have an excellent relationship with him.
“Formula 1 is big enough to have Max within it, but naturally he will decide his own future in the way he believes is best. Our sport will continue to look ahead in any case. I have already expressed my opinion, which is that Max will remain with us. I sincerely hope so, and that is what I believe.
“But, as I have already said, Formula 1 is much bigger than any single person, than all of us.”
For Stefano Domenicali, the championship’s immediate task is now to consolidate the progress made since the difficult opening races while developing a clearer long-term technical direction. The remaining rounds on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar will provide further evidence of how effectively the current power units can cope with demanding circuits before attention increasingly shifts towards the regulations that will define the sport’s next era.
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