Domenicali calls for reshaping
FIA Single Seater Commission president Stefano Domenicali has urged motorsport to use the current coronavirus-enforced hiatus to reshape itself for the future.
Rising costs on the FIA single-seater ladder from Formula 4 to Formula 2 have forced increasing numbers of drivers into other disciplines of the sport, particularly GT racing, and ex-ferrari F1 boss Domenicali – who took over his FIA role in 2015 – believes this must change.
“I see this as an opportunity for the motorsport industry to reshape,” said Domenicali in an exclusive interview for Autosport’s #thinkingforward series of podcasts. “There’s no doubt that motorsport will be an essential part into the future, but short term we need to revisit the level of investment and maybe the level of technology and the number of championships. And maybe also the attitude of the manufacturers; whether to be a supplier to privateer teams or involved as a constructor. These are discussions that need to be made immediately because it’s fundamental that we keep the momentum, even if the disruption is massive.
“Everyone is focused on the top-level series like F1, Formula E and international GTS but, speaking as president of the FIA Single Seater Commission, we are thinking of the right decision for F4, F3, F2 to restart and when this will be possible; what can be done to reduce costs further and to make sure that this ‘formula world’ can be still attractive for the future.”
“We are really working in these weeks to make sure we can present to the FIA World Council in June ideas that we were discussing but always postponing because the system was accepting it, when the [economic] situation was really good. Now we need to take it on board, knowing that if we miss this slot it would be criminal. “
Italian F4 has already confirmed that the introduction of the new Tatuus chassis, featuring the halo safety device, will be delayed until 2022. Other championships using the same car – most notably the German – will likely also need to keep the current Tatuus through 2021, as there is a high crossover of participants between some of the European series.
“We will delay the introduction of new updated technology to help keep the teams alive,” said Domenicali. “Everyone is trying to keep the championships alive in the second part of the season but we also need to identify the cut-off time when we need to concentrate completely on 2021.”