Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has faced criticism this year, including remarks that framed diehard fans as a minority group focused on negativity. The columnist counters that these fans have been the sport’s backbone, sustaining F1 through its pre-Liberty era and making it attractive enough for investment in 2016.
The piece acknowledges F1’s recent growth under Liberty Media, including a surge in new fans drawn by the *Drive to Survive* era. However, it warns against dividing the fanbase into superficial and technical camps, noting that many newer fans eventually seek deeper engagement. The author also pushes back on Domenicali’s suggestion that technical discussions are niche, arguing that dismissing such interest risks alienating a core audience.
The column calls for F1 to prioritize on-track action, questioning why sprint races—intended to boost excitement—often fail to deliver. It suggests experimenting with formats like one-shot qualifying or reverse grids to create more overtakes, framing these as better ways to energize the sport than debating technical rules.
