F1 facing "critical" target to avoid future 'cycles of domination'

Formula 1

F1 facing "critical" target to avoid future 'cycles of domination'

New regulations will bring about a new era for F1 in 2022

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Tuesday 23 February 2021 08:03

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali believes cycles of domination will always be rife in the sport but is at least expecting next season's regulations overhaul to produce tighter racing.

F1 will introduce a new era in 2022 with cars aimed at promoting more overtaking opportunities due to a decrease in the turbulent air for one car following another.

Domenicali, who took over from Chase Carey in January, acknowledged that long periods of dominance can have a harmful effect on the sport's attempt to grow its audience, but is hopeful the new rules will help drivers to become the star attractions.

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“Formula 1 has always been with cycles, with victories for teams or drivers," said Domenicali. "It is true that the longer this cycle, the less attractive it is for a lot of people.

"But there has been a lot of work done around the new regulations, and I don’t want to take any credit for that because I was not involved.

"But there was a clear objective the new regulations would enable the competition to be tight and give the chance for the drivers to be more of a differentiating factor than you may see today with the cars that are very impressive in terms of performance."

Under the current turbo-hybrid era since 2014, Mercedes has won every drivers' and constructors' title available, with the power unit a major factor in its dominance.

Whilst optimism is high the new cars next season will assist in reeling in Mercedes, Domenicali feels the sport must prevent a repeat scenario.

"I think what is important to do is that, if a team [is dominating], and when it is clear that the regulations are evolving, then we need to avoid it happening again," added Domenicali.

"I think that from the [new] simulations, we will have a clearer understanding from what has [already been] simulated.

"This is an important phase where we have to be very close together because the target is critical for everyone.”