Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is on a mission to make the sport even more thrilling. In addition to more sprint races, Domenicali is keen to modify the current format of the free practice sessions as soon as possible. The Italian envisions a future where drivers have “something to fight for” in every session.
Despite having reason to celebrate following the announcement of Liberty Media’s strong quarterly figures, Domenicali continues his quest to inject more excitement into Formula 1. The CEO is particularly interested in revamping the current format for the free practice sessions.
Reconsidering the Format of Race Simulations
The Italian is particularly puzzled as to why, in the era of race simulations, the current format allows for three training sessions. “Is it good entertainment for people who come on Friday to watch cars go around the track, just to better prepare for the qualification and the race?” Domenicali questioned. “I mean, is that what people want to see?”
“My dream is: every time you go on the track, there is something to fight for,” the Italian continues. “That’s the nature of racing. That’s the nature of the drivers, because they want to be the first every time. That’s why we should strive for these kinds of objectives in the future.”
A Solid Foundation for the Future
In recent years, a number of races have been added to the Formula 1 calendar, including the two American races in Miami and Las Vegas. As a result, drivers are now racing more and more on street circuits. According to Domenicali, however, the number of street races is not excessive.
“I would say that we want to be in balance,” says the Italian. “We don’t want to go from one end of the scale to the other, but for us, it’s crucial to have good races. It’s certainly crucial to respect historical locations. But history is not everything. History is a good foundation to invest in the future.”
