Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali discussed a variety of topics in an interview with Sky TG24, including how football can learn from F1 in light of its failed Super League plans, female drivers and what the future holds for the sport.
Domenicali believes football can look at how F1 tackled its own breakaway threats and avoid such issues in the future, by addressing the real problem.
F1 has been through two major breakaway threats, most recently in 2009 when the now-defunct Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA) announced plans to form a new championship in response to cost controls.
The idea was scrapped after teams and F1 bosses agreed to commercial changes, which has now led to a budget cap which took effect this year, addressing the inequality between teams to create a level playing field.
Domenicali believes football must also address its money problems if it’s to avoid similar threats.
“In Formula 1, we have already had a situation twice in which there was the risk of a fracture, to try to have another championship that would bring home more results and income,” he said.
“Formula 1 is now starting with the opposite approach. We are trying to control costs. It is no coincidence that this year is the first year of the budget cap, which gives a different dimension of financial sustainability to the teams.
“The world of football, if I can say it, must tackle this same issue and in a fairly rapid way. It’s important to balance different interests.”
On the subject of women racing in F1, Domenicali still believes it is some way off but sees no barriers to entry.
“Formula 1 is one of those sports platforms that gives men and women the opportunity to race in the same championship. There are no elements that block participation for women,” he said on the matter.
“The automotive world is primarily male, but I see that there is also the desire on the part of the female world to be a protagonist.
“In the short term I think it is difficult, because to become an F1 driver you need to come up through an important path of growth. From the view of of diversity, which is one of the values in which Formula 1 is working on, it would be really very nice.”
Meanwhile there is talk about F1’s future power unit and what that will look like. Domenicali is ruling out a switch to all-electric, insisting the sport will remain a hybrid for some time, but with a focus on sustainable fuels.
“We will be a hybrid Formula,” he added. “We will have eco-sustainable fuels. There are already many activities like this that cut across society, and this gives F1 the opportunity to be a protagonist.”
