Exclusive: F1 boss shares update after ‘constructive’ talks with Max Verstappen

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The introduction of the all-new technical regulations has shown an interesting balancing act between Formula 1's growing worldwide audience and the more diehard fans. F1 says most metrics – including race attendance and TV figures – have been positive so far, but purists and multiple drivers have been more critical, mainly about the need for lift-and-coast and super clipping to conserve electrical energy.

Of all the drivers, Max Verstappen has been the most outspoken. The Red Bull driver already warned against the current direction during the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, after just his first simulator test based on the new ruleset, and his criticism has not diminished since.

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Last year, the Dutchman informed Red Bull internally that he did not want to test the 2026 car in the simulator for several weeks, and when the new machinery appeared on track in Bahrain, Verstappen described it as “Formula E on steroids”.

Since then, the four-time world champion has subtly been informed that he has voiced his opinion publicly on several occasions, and that it may now be more constructive to discuss these matters “in the right forum” going forward – an approach he largely seemed to follow in Suzuka.

Drivers and fans must not forget the ‘starting point’

When it comes to those behind-the-scenes discussions, F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali says that although the Dutchman is still outspoken, he is thinking constructively about possible improvements for both the short-term and longer-term.

“You know me, I respect Max a lot. I speak with him a lot and of course he is quite opinionated in that respect,” Domenicali said during an exclusive interview with Motorsport in London.

In both the conversations with drivers and the wider public debate, Domenicali believes it is important to keep the background of these regulations in mind, something he calls the “starting point”.

Watch: Autosport's Exclusive Interview with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali

“We need to remember the reason why we are here with this regulation. Otherwise, we miss the starting point – and if you start in the middle of the race, you miss the start. So, it is like that, and I think that certain points are valid and that's why we are here to fix [those] all together.”

With that starting point, Domenicali refers to the political reality at the time the current regulations were finalised. At that moment, the automotive industry moved towards electrification, prompting the pinnacle of motorsport – partly to remain relevant for manufacturers such as Audi and Honda – to move in that direction as well.

Since then, the picture has changed somewhat, which is why Domenicali personally expects the next cycle to look different, with greater emphasis on sustainable fuels and the internal combustion engine.

“I definitely see, personally, but it's up to the FIA of course to propose that, a sort of sustainable fuel at the centre of the future, with a different balance of what could be the electrification in the future with a strong internal combustion engine.”

For now, however, the reality is different, and Domenicali has also shared the background with Verstappen.

“I think that, of course, he will understand that there is a bigger picture. I can like certain things or not, or like certain things more or less. But in a way, everyone needs to understand that, as I said, [there are] certain reasons [behind it].”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

“F1 is solid and bigger than any one of us”

This leads to two follow-up questions: firstly, what can still be done within the current cycle – besides potential adjustments to energy management ahead of the Miami Grand Prix – and secondly, in what way can a driver like Verstappen contribute to this behind the scenes.

“It’s good that he’s pushing for something,” Domenicali continues. “And we said that if there is a push for something, we can do it in the right way, in the right forum, because that’s the nature of our sport. I will never be confrontational. It’s not my style, and at the end of the day, it’s not giving value to anyone.”

According to the Italian, this is also because the sport is bigger than any individual involved. He stresses that these words do not only apply to Verstappen, but in a broader sense to everyone within the sport.

“The sport is bigger than any one of us, anyone. And this is something that everyone needs to remember. Everyone means everyone, no one excluded. The sport is in the 76th year of these stages. I've seen people manage it, drivers, fantastic engineers, prima donnas, everyone. But the sport is solid, it's looking ahead, and that's what I'm saying.”

Domenicali understands that reactions – particularly in the Netherlands – have been strong, but F1 ultimately has to look at the global picture.

“It is natural that in a country that is 99% Max fans, [they are] the ones that are more close to him, which is absolutely understandable. But we are a worldwide sport. We have over 800 million fans. And therefore, we need to remember that the dimension that we have is huge.”

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali walks in the paddock

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali walks in the paddock

Besides that global perspective, Domenicali says there is another aspect that should not be forgotten in discussions about the regulations: governance, the procedures that must be followed to push through certain changes.

“I remember the governance of Formula 1, as I said before, is not a one-person show. It's a system that has to be voted together, and has to be discussed together. And that's where we are.”

Why a “negative confrontational approach” doesn't help

According to Domenicali, the current situation is not an end point but rather part of a continuous dialogue. A next step will be taken on April 20 – when team principals will discuss potential adjustments for Miami – after which the conversation will continue, including a topic Verstappen has spoken about frequently in recent weeks: potentially bigger changes for 2027.

For the F1 CEO, the most important thing is that these conversations continue in a constructive way.

“That’s why I really want to say officially, please, don't try to take any kind of negative confrontational approach, because it doesn't help the sport. It doesn't give any value for me. I mean, if people would love to see this kind of chitchat, this is what we don't need, because it's not good for the sport.

“And I never do anything for the worst of the sport, because I think that with my experience, I know how to avoid to get into the traps – which are great to have some coverage, but not good for the medium-, long-term objectives.”

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With those longer-term plans, Domenicali hopes to keep Verstappen on board, something he already expressed confidence about in Bahrain. “And I don’t change my mind,” he smiled when asked again during the interview in London.

“Max is a four-time world champion. He’s an incredible driver, one of the best for sure, maybe the best. I personally really hope that he can stay. I'm sure that, you know, the adrenaline you can find in Formula 1 is unique, and therefore I really hope that he will stay. But I cannot say more than that. And that's why, as I said, try to be constructive, even if sometimes people in certain situations can be dragged into certain emotional dimensions, which are not the things that we need for our sport.”

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