F1 2026 regulations: Stefano Domenicali responds to criticism about current power unit regulations | F1 News

Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali says drivers “can have their opinion” and are not being stopped from criticising the sport’s power unit regulations.

The 2026 technical regulations have divided opinion with Max Verstappen among those to voice his concerns about the rules which have led to a different style of driving and racing.

Verstappen has previously described the yoyo style of racing – which sees passes then re-passes – as “anti-racing” and joked at last month’s Belgian Grand Prix that someone would “probably shoot me outside the door” if he criticised the rules.

The Red Bull driver clarified a week later in Hungary: “I’ve spoken my mind about these regulations already a long time, and in the beginning, most people were saying, ‘ah, he’s complaining; he should shut up’.

“But I have to say that the last few races, more and more people are seeing the same thing that I could see coming already a long time, and it’s not about me not liking not winning anymore.

“It’s just because I care about the product, and because I’ve said it many times, and at one point that’s also enough, right? But of course, when people keep asking you, then yeah, maybe it’s not appreciated always, but I’m just speaking. I’m just speaking my mind because you see certain things coming, and then sometimes people say, ‘yeah, but this was a great race’.

“I say, ‘yeah, but it’s not really realistic the way we are racing’. And then you arrive to some tracks, and yeah, you’re driving on not a lot of horsepower for F1 standards, and it’s a little bit painful, which I could see coming already for years. It’s then, of course, not the most exciting. But at one point, I’m also a little bit just fed up with repeating myself because it’s already hard enough just having to drive it.”

Domenicali says he would prefer to discuss things behind closed doors to find solutions but respects all the drivers’ opinions.

“You know me, we are not here to put tape on the mouth of anyone. The beauty of our sport is that everyone can have an opinion, but the opinion is an opinion,” he said.

“There is someone who has the duty to have a line. There are certain drivers that prefer, of course, certain things. That in the process we have highlighted the need to be constructive in that respect.”

Domenicali: F1 is bigger than any driver

In March, Verstappen stated he was considering his future in the sport if the regulations did not change for next year, such was his dissatisfactions with the new power unit rules which have more electrical power compared to previous seasons.

The current split is nearly 50-50 between internal combustion and electrical power but the FIA announced in May it had agreed with the teams to change this to 58-42 for 2027 and 60-40 for 2028.

Since then, Verstappen has not suggested he will walk away from F1, although questions remain over whether he will drive for Red Bull or another team.

Domenicali said: “Max is an incredible driver. I’ve stated so many times that maybe I’m getting older to repeat that!

“Max is in a situation where if he loves Formula 1. We discuss together the regulations for the future. I have an incredible relationship with him.

“F1 is big enough for him to be part of us, but of course he will decide his future, the way that he prefers to do. The sport will look ahead but my opinion is that Max will stay with us, and I really hope so, and that’s what I’m stating. The sport is big, much bigger than anyone else, all of us.”

Every F1 event this season has been sold out with record crowd attendances in Australia (484,000), Canada (360,000), Austria (320,000), Silverstone (564,000), Belgium (400,000) and Hungary (310,000).

Domenicali pointed to the continued growth of F1 and a conversation he had with filmmaker and creator of Star Wars, George Lucas, which shows the majority of fans are “not interested in how you drive the car” but instead whether there is overtaking or not.

“I had an incredibly interesting discussion with George Lucas on Saturday. He was in Hungary, and he was giving me an incredible view on how the new fans are watching Formula 1,” he said.

“He gave us an incredible clearance to see how we can really simplify things because the new fans are not understanding the truth, what is behind the scenes.

“They are fascinated by the fact that there is a lot of action. There is definitely the need for those who are so focused on that to have the right information.

“But, for the vast majority of the people, trust me, they just want to see what is happening on the track, not interested in the angle of throttle or the percentage of brake pressure on how you can take and overtake a driver.

“For example, the incredible overtake of Max on Lewis at Turn 1 in Hungary, that was a piece of art, if I may say, that these people just want to see and just connect to the quality of the drivers.”

The Formula 1 season resumes after the summer break with a Sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from August 21-23, with every session live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime