According to FIA President Mohammed Bin Sulayem, Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali is now urging the motorsport “premier class” to give a new drive format as soon as possible.
Domenicali said: “Usually a cycle of the engine rules takes five years. We will see whether it can be shortened to four years – that is up for discussion.”
At a “engine summit” between representatives of the World Automobile Association (FIA), Formula 1 and the manufacturer involved, the opportunity recently spoke about the opportunity to introduce new drives as early as 2030 – before the drives newly developed for 2026 have completed their race debut.
Drive rules for 2026 are “not perfect”
However, Domenicali considers this step necessary because, in his view, the technical regulations for 2026 are “not perfect” and demanded “large investments” to the manufacturers.
“But we must not forget: This regulations have been defined to enable the entry of new manufacturers.” This was successful: Audi started for the first time in Formula 1 in 2026, Honda gives his comeback and with Cadillac, a US brand has already initiated development for its own Formula 1 drive.
The only question is how sensible the technology rules 2026 are really. Because there is criticism above all of the too large and heavy vehicles – a consequence of the “excessive electrification”, as Domenicali explains. As a result, the cars have become “more complex” than before and as an overall package “not particularly interesting,” says Domenicali.
His vision: He wants to “maintain a form of hybridization” and ensure sustainability with innovative fuels. “Then in my opinion it is right to talk about a new drive,” says Domenicali.
The “greatest possible independence” for Formula 1
This new drive should be cheaper in development and use than the drive generation 2026, but at the same time meet the needs of the manufacturers. “But we must not be obliged to anyone and we also do not want to risk being surprised by a crisis and paralyzed,” emphasizes Domenicali.
That is why the Formula 1 boss even promises that there could soon be a pure customer drive again-possibly provided by Formula 1 itself and for the “greatest possible independence” in economically difficult times. Domenicali: “We have the duty to learn from history.”
The goal is therefore to “keep the big car manufacturers”, but at the same time to develop a kind of “Plan B” if a group changes its opinion – such as BMW, Honda and Toyota at the end of the 2000s in the course of the global economic crisis at that time. According to the Domenicali, a “strategic plan is needed so that we can react in an emergency”. How exactly, the series manager left open.
