Domenicali warns against selfishness; addresses Verstappen quit threats

Stefano Domenicali has warned Formula 1 against 'selfishness' while addressing quit threats made by World Champion Max Verstappen.

F1 CEO Domenicali has helped Grand Prix racing to introduce new formats such as sprint races and the pre-race show at the recent Miami Grand Prix which received a mixed reception from the drivers, with some viewing it as a distraction before the race began.

However, Domenicali feels that the drivers need to realise they are "part of a broader picture" and that F1 must cater more towards the fans over a race weekend.

Domenicali criticises drivers

"I don’t want a society in which people cannot say what they want," he explained to The Daily Mail.

"But drivers sometimes need to remember that they are part of a broader picture. We don't need to be selfish.

"They are part of this sport and this business, and it grows because we are thinking bigger.

"Sometimes being out of our comfort zone is not easy, but we cannot get lazy or complacent - we can review some of the specifics of the sprint weekend format at the end of the season once we have tried it out on the intended six occasions.

"We won't have sprints every weekend, either.

"But we have a new audience and need to provide value for money [in] every session, and not let everyone drive around in circles for the sole benefit of the engineers and drivers."

Verstappen quit threat

Two-time World Champion Verstappen has been vocal in his criticism of the changes F1 has made away from a traditional Grand Prix weekend, making his displeasure known over the Azerbaijan sprint weekend, the first of 2023.

The format is also due to run at the Austrian, Belgian, Qatar, United States and Sao Paulo Grands Prix.

Verstappen is also unhappy at the increasing number of Grands Prix on the calendar, 24 on the original 2023 calendar before the Chinese and Emilia Romagna races were cancelled, and says that he might not sign a fresh Red Bull deal when his contract expires after the 2028 season.

However, Domenicali says there is "not a problem" with the Red Bull driver.

"I discussed the issues with Max [before the Miami Grand Prix]," he explained.

"He said he loved the sport and what he was doing.

"He is the World Champion and is fighting for a third title - he was born in a car and I would say he is likely to stay longer [in F1] than me. It's not a problem."