Here's the reason Stefano Domenicali wanted non hybrid engines for 2026
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, thinks that the sport can get rid of it's hybrid engines if it starts running with climate-neutral fuel. Hybrid engines have been in Formula 1 since 2014 and will continue to be used after 2026. If it were Domenicali's choice, this would not be the case at all.
As is well known, Formula 1's regulations will be shaken up in 2026. Recently, the FIA unveiled the new regulations. A fair amount of criticism came from team bosses. Therefore, a meeting has already taken place with team delegates to improve the future of the sport.
Domenicali on the regulations in '26
"My personal opinion is that it would be enough to run on climate-neutral fuel. But we had to take into account the wishes of the manufacturers. Developments have gone so fast that a decision today might be different from what it was two years ago. I am not an engineer, but I have to have a vision of what the sport will look like in the future. And I can imagine that with the next regulations, we can focus on sustainable fuel," Domenicali said in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport.
"If we can show that we can produce zero emissions with it, we can regulate other important sustainability issues. Cars and engines would then become lighter and less complex again. And the engines would have good sound again. That is important for the fans. But for now, we have to focus on the next step, not the one after that." Concludes the Formula 1 CEO and former Ferrari team principal.
Since there is already Formula E to apeace the greenies and environmental fanatics, Formula 1 should remain an internal combustion only sport, like it has been for the past 50 years.
For once I agree with this man. And these new fuels don't even need to be completely "emissions free" to have a better record than those big heavy Li-ion batteries.
Yes please. 3 simple rules 1: 1000hp and 1000pnm maximum. Easy to check at the wheels. Even in the pitlane. 1 engine mode for the whole weekend fixed afther fp1 2: green fuel. Sustainable, and sold at gas stations. Able to be used by normal road cars upto 20 years old 3: engine type, do whatever you think is best. Preferably your own dominant concept. So ferrari with (old school) v12? Honda i4. Audi i5. Mercedes v8. Porsche boxer 6? Turbine? Does not matter as long as the other 2 rules are used
that is extremely simplistic and wouldn't work in F1 but I get what you are trying to say. Sometimes less is more.
why simplistic? because there would be no development? ofcourse there will be. you want to be faster in the race? make your powerplant more economical. and cary less fuel
No there would be plenty of development but you can't have a rulebook that open in F1, it would be madness haha. Look at the differences these cars have even with such strict guidelines. These people are way too creative, give them this kind of freedom and the grid would be all over the place. It wouldn't be a coherent racing series anymore. I like the spirit of this direction though, similar to the LeMans hypercars.
it is very clear. fia already controls the ecu/engine mappig. a car can be hooked up a hub too test the power in all gears. should only take about 2 minutes. can be dne in the sessions like they do now with weight. and having wheel power measured it has no openings to cheat on it. as it can nog be more power then that.
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