F1 boss makes unusual comparison: 'Many fans think of a hair clip'

Formula 1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali has defended comments he made during the summer break in unusual fashion, using a hair clip as part of his defence.

Domenicali spoke to the media at the start of the summer break and said that the "vast majority" of F1 fans are not interested in technical details.

The new power unit regulations have resulted in a greater emphasis on technical knowledge and understanding, with fans criticising Domenicali's comments on social media.

Many took to various platforms to express their interest in the technical aspects of F1. However, in response to the complaints, Domenicali explained that "many" will think that super clipping is "something to put in your hair."

Asked how he dealt with fans taking offence to him saying they are not interested in the technical details of F1, Domenicali told De Telegraaf: "But on social media, you very often only hear the negative stories. We see and hear very different things. 

"Take the race in Malaysia in early October, where the Bahrain Grand Prix is ​​held. After just a few weeks, the grandstands are already sold out, and 1,500 tickets have already been sold for the Paddock Club. That is unprecedented. 

"That shows the power of Formula 1 right now. Negativity gets us nowhere. The numbers show that our business is growing. I take the people who are critical seriously, too, but it is my job to look at the big picture. 

"There are diehard motorsport fans who talk about clipping during a Formula 1 weekend, but there will also be many who think of a clip as something to put in your hair."

Driver feedback

Most fans have criticised the new power unit regulations, as have the likes of Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen.

Overall, there has been widespread dissatisfaction, playing a part in changes to the rules across the next two seasons.

Discussing drivers also being negative about the rules, Domenicali added: "Even then, you shouldn’t lump everything together. It’s not so much the drivers’ perspective, but the generation.

"I think Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton talk about the current regulations differently than teenagers like Kimi Antonelli and Arvid Lindblad. That’s why it’s good to have input from everyone.

"In the past, there have been so many moments when drivers thought: what is this? Take the different way of shifting gears in the past or the introduction of the halo on the car. Now we don’t know any better."