F1 | Vision and hope for 2021 according to Stefano Domenicali, the F1’s new chief
Stefano Domenicali, new F1 boss, stated his goals for the 2021 Formula 1 season and his long-term vision during an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, also stating that the drivers "will be at the center" of the F1’s future.
Stefano Domenicali, former boss of Ferrari and Lamborghini, is effectively the new CEO of Formula 1 starting this month, taking on Chase Carey's role.
During his first interview with Sky F1's Martin Brundle, Domenicali explained why he is so ready and excited to take F1 to another level.
Embracing the idea of being able to travel to new locations and thus being able to attract new producers, Domenicali says: "It is time to talk really seriously positive about who we are and what we are offering - there are great opportunities,
"And I think that the fundamentals are already there."
Among the various ambitions of F1, Domenicali states that the key ambition is to turn our gaze to drivers of great caliber. This year, the F1 grid will once again welcome two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso who will join other talented drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and others.
"The drivers will be at the centre of the future of Formula 1,
"I think that they represent the real soul of our sport - their faces, their ability. I would say to interpret them, not only as drivers, but as the ambassadors of our sport. They will be crucial for the future.
"We didn't have in the last decade so many good drivers as we have now. We have incredible young drivers, there is an incredible record to be achieved for Lewis, for others, so the challenge there is great."
Furthermore, the F1 CEO announced the return of the "iconic brand" Aston Martin as "great news".
Domenicali also unveiled the current and future F1's set of races.The revised calendar was revealed in early January, announcing that Bahrain will replace the Australian GP as regards the opening of the season due to travel restrictions and quarantine, while Imola returns to the 23-race schedule. For the moment there are no news to report, but the race to be held on May 2nd has yet to be confirmed.
"What I can share is that I'm personally speaking on a daily basis with all the organisers,
"We know the pandemic is still there - that's why we changed the place in the calendar of Australia.
"But so far the information we have is that everyone really would like to go ahead with the plan. Of course we need to be flexible enough to understand that maybe in the first part of the season we may have some events with no public or with restricted members of the public.
"But what I can assure our supporters, our fans, is that really we want to make sure that the season is there, we have a commitment and we want to take that on board, and we have possible alternatives in case - but so far no one has given us different information to what we have shared.
"This is what we know today, but we know how the pandemic has evolved so we need to be ready for a flexible approach on the season."
The planned program of 23 races could be a record for Formula 1, although there has been talk of an extension of 25 races, while Domenicali says the F1 calendar is more inclined to a reduction.
Moreover Domenicali states that there could be a "rotation" of Grands Prix in the future.
"23 races is a very important number of races, no doubt," he said.
"In terms of quantity, in terms of attention, in terms of dedication of the people. There could be two positions on that respect, someone can say there are too many, some others that that is not a problem.
"I would say that this equation will solve itself by the fact that if we're able to deliver an incredible product, we may go to a situation where maybe we can go back to a fewer number of races and then maybe the chance of a rotation is possible for certain Grands Prix, keeping a focus on different areas.
"This is something that is in our plan to think about carefully this year, getting ready for when the world is normal again."
