Stefano Domenicali insists development will make 2026 cars faster very soon

The driveability of the 2026 F1 cars has come under criticism from the majority of drivers, with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton leading the way, each in his own style.

But Domenicali has hit back, saying: "I think it's wrong in general terms to talk bad about an incredible world that is allowing all of us to grow.

"And that's the only thing that I would say is not right. But, you know, I always listen. There is an evolution of driving; it means that the best driver will be able to be the fastest," he added.

We do not need Domenicali to tell us that top F1 drivers will remain on top in the new era, with Verstappen tipped to master the new cars despite his dislike of them given his immense talent and win-at-all-costs ethic.

However, the sport needs to make sure it doesn't alienate drivers as it has been doing to its true fans with sideshows, car park tracks, fake marinas, sprints, reverse grids, and the list goes on.

Domenicali didn't deny any of that, insisting F1 will continue to target the Drive to Survive-watching fans. Have you watched the latest season? Agonizingly boring... 

The Italian went on defending the decision to introduce the new power units that are more reliable on electrification, claiming it was to attract car manufacturers.

"We wanted to attract more manufacturers," he said. "We knew that sustainable fuel was an element that would be attractive for the manufacturers, knowing that in terms of mobility, manufacturers should focus not only on electrification, and that's why this project started."

Which puts forth the question: Is it worth it for F1 to bend over for car manufacturers?

We have to keep in mind that the world is changing away from electrification, with many car companies now changing their tone and targets in that regard.

One more thing, car companies have proven over and over—aside from Mercedes and Ferrari—that they are not reliable partners to F1 and will ditch the sport at the first chance if their interests dictate that. BMW, Toyota, Renault, and Honda are clear examples.

Speaking of Honda, what is the benefit of having them back in F1 in 2026 in light of their disastrous start that is threatening to derail Aston Martin's whole season? It seems that they have learned nothing from 2015.

Never mind. Going back to Domenicali, he is banking on F1 engineers to develop the new cars and make them faster. But we know they are fast, in a straight line that is, but need to be driven below their limit in corners to charge the damn battery, which defies the concept of an F1 car that goes around corners at incredible speeds that defy the laws of physics.

The former Ferrari team boss said: "I think the possibility to develop this car, both from the engineering point of view and also from the driver's point of view, will enable us to very, very soon see a car that will be faster.

"The world of engineers behind F1 is incredible," he maintained.

So basically, Formula One Management and the FIA can mess things up and then run to engineers to bail them out. But when engineers come up with a smart innovation, like Mercedes' compression trick, we ban it.

In the end, Domenicali was adamant that any concerns regarding the rules would be addressed. He said: "The approach that we have discussed already in the last F1 Commission with the FIA, with the team, is very open. If we see something that needs to be addressed, we're going to address it in that way.

"But I think that now we are in a world where everyone realizes that if there is something clear that has to be done to improve, why not? Let's do it," he insisted in conclusion.

Here is something for Domenicali and Co to address. The best time in FP1 this year in Melbourne was three seconds slower than that clocked in the same session in 2025. (Quotes from Sky Sports F1)