F1 boss makes urgent appeal in face of negativity

F1 boss Stefano Domenicali has called for "calm" ahead of the start of the new campaign following a pre-season filled with negativity and scepticism.

The rollout and performance of the cars over the past few weeks in Barcelona and Bahrain sparked a wave of criticism from the F1 drivers, led by Red Bull's four-time champion Max Verstappen.

The drivers were unequivocal in voicing their concerns over the level of energy management required, not just to navigate a grand prix, but also to nail a qualifying lap, given they have become accustomed over the years to driving flat out over one lap.

Many believe that what they have experienced so far, and will continue to do so when the season starts, is not F1. As Verstappen noted, it is "anti-racing".

Defending the new-look F1, Domenicali said: "There is an incredible and constructive approach by everyone try to do what is right with this new technical opportunity.

"As always, when there is something new, everybody is like, 'Oh, what is happening?' But we need to stay calm and constructively, as is the spirit today, with the drivers and with the teams, make sure that the FIA has the right input to improve, if there is a need to improve.

"I had a meeting with all the drivers, and everyone understands the fact that when you do something different, it's different.

"But there is a very big wish to be constructive, and they're already doing that with their comments to the FIA and their teams.

"Everyone has their own style. They are the 20 best racing drivers in the world. This is the new way, there will be a new challenge, where the best will be the best.

"You will see, again, how the teams will evolve after each race. If you listened to them at the first test, and you listen today, the evolution of understanding of how this new car has to be driven is definitely there. It's a new concept."

Domenicali is in no doubt that the current criticism will long be forgotten by the end of the year.

"You will see, and I'm pretty confident, that this will evolve into a situation that at the end of the year, no one will remember what we are talking about today, because it's the nature of Formula 1 on that," he said. "I'm pretty convinced about it."