Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has responded to mounting driver frustration over the 2026 technical regulations, insisting free expression is welcome but must remain constructive.
The new regulations place a significantly greater emphasis on electric power and energy management, dividing opinion across the paddock throughout the first half of the season.
F1 claims its fanbase has largely responded positively, drawing on data from its Formula 1 Fan Voice programme, which consists of 60,000 fans who rate each grand prix for entertainment value.
According to those figures, 60% of the group rated races as “good” or “excellent” in 2025, with that number rising to 66% across the opening half of the 2026 campaign.
Spa’s fan rating reportedly increased by 24%, while the Hungarian Grand Prix received the same score as it did a year ago, despite widespread criticism of energy management issues at both circuits.
Only the British Grand Prix received a notably lower rating than in 2025, which F1 attributes to the race finishing behind the safety car and the exceptional nature of last year’s Silverstone event.
Drivers have been considerably less complimentary, with Max Verstappen labelling the current cars “Formula E on steroids” during winter testing, a sentiment backed up by many of his fellow competitors.
Oscar Piastri also raised concerns about the power units’ “self-learning elements”, warning that drivers can be caught out by “forward-thinking algorithms” during races.
Speaking at a media call at the start of the summer break, Domenicali acknowledged the criticism but pushed back firmly on any suggestion that negativity is good for the sport.
“I think the situation that we are living today is really great,” Domenicali said, pointing to record levels of fan engagement and strong attendance figures at circuits around the world.
When asked whether driver criticism had been stronger than anticipated, Domenicali was clear that open opinion is part of Formula 1’s culture and something he actively supports.
“You know me, we are not here to put the tape on the mouth of anyone,” he said. “The beauty of our sport is that everyone can have an opinion, but the opinion is an opinion.”
He added that there is a responsibility to remain constructive, noting that certain drivers naturally prefer different things but that a clear direction must be maintained collectively.
Domenicali also explained that the 2026 regulations were born out of necessity, with the automotive industry pushing hard toward electrification when the rules were first being developed.
“I go back to the thing that this change was connected to a reason, and that was a vital reason,” he said, highlighting the risk of losing engine manufacturers without embracing greater electrification.
The F1 CEO revealed he prefers to handle driver concerns privately, confirming he has recently held direct conversations with Verstappen away from the public eye.
“I prefer to discuss things [between] four walls to find solutions,” he said, warning that excessive public negativity risks shifting focus away from the sport and onto individuals.
Domenicali was equally firm in reaffirming where his ultimate responsibilities lie, placing fans above all other stakeholders when it comes to shaping the championship’s direction.
“The fans are always a priority on top of everyone, even me,” he said, while also stressing that drivers must understand the shared path the sport needs to take going forward.
“I think that the situation is very strong, very solid, with all the stakeholders today,” he added, calling on everyone involved to focus on continued growth rather than division.