The Formula 1 season hits the summer break after an eventful first half that included the largest regulation change in the sports history, the rise of Mercedes’ teenage phenomenon Kimi Antonelli, and two cancelled Grands Prix due to the Iran War.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali met with members of the media in the days following the Hungarian Grand Prix to discuss the season so far and what’s to come when Formula 1 returns at the end of August.
New regulations
The 2026 season introduced the largest regulation change in the sport’s history. The new regulations place a greater importance on environmental sustainability as part of Formula 1’s goal to reduce its carbon footprint and become net zero by 2030.
There is a 53-47 split between electrical power from energy recovery system (ERS) battery and the internal combustion engine (ICE). Additionally, power units use advanced sustainable fuels.
The new regulations have been met with criticism from drivers, most notably from four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver’s dislike of the new regulations has prompted speculation about his future in the sport.
“I can easily stop, it’s not a problem, but I love racing,” Verstappen told the media ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. “And I’m just trying to deal with what we have, even though what we have at the moment is not what I like.”
Domenicali dismissed the notion that Verstappen would retire.
“Max is an incredible driver. He loves Formula 1. I have an incredible relationship with him,” he said. “My opinion is that Max will stay with us, and I really hope so.”
Domenicali also acknowledged that Formula 1 is considering driver feedback, but also expressed satisfaction with the new regulations.
“The effect on track has been widely super positive. It is true that it’s the nature of a sport to talk and listen to the input of all the derivers and teams and the manufacturers,” he said.
“I think that what has been decided in terms of evolution and regulation is the right thing for the sport, and it’s good that there is the opportunity for the FIA to listen to the comments of the manufacturers and the drivers.”
In response to driver complaints, the split between the ICE and ERS will increase to 58-42 for 2027 and 60-40 for 2028.
“I think that for the drivers that have already driven the changes of next year on the simulator, it is going in the right direction,” Domenicali said.
Calendar changes
Formula 1 had an unexpected month-long hiatus in April after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled due to the Iran War.
It was announced during the Hungarian Grand Prix that the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix. The race will be held on the weekend of Oct. 2-4, in between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix.
“Together, we have found a new way of hosting the Grand Prix in Malaysia. It’s a sign of cooperation, it’s the sign of thinking wider than what other people believe,” Domenicali said. “And I need to thank the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Grands Prix, the Kingdom of Malaysia, to understand there was a possibility to bring back a track that has been a part of our championship in the past.”
The Malaysian Grand Prix was hosted at Sepang from 1999 until 2017. Verstappen won the last time Formula 1 raced at Sepang.
Formula 1 continues to monitor the feasibility of running the final two Grands Prix races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
“With regards to the end of the season, we are in touch with all the other championships. The way that we are structured is that we will take the maximum for us to see how the situation will develop, and we will take the decision at the right time,” Domenicali said.
“That moment will not be before the middle of September. For us today, the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are confirmed.”
Formula 1 has been working on contingency plans in case the races can not be held.
“If the situation will not be cleared the way that we believe it should be, before the middle of September, we will take the decision,” Domenicali said. “And in that respect, I just want to confirm to you that if this will not be possible, that the end of the season would be in Europe.”
Domenicali’s hometown of Imola has emerged as a potential replacement for the season finale. After leaving the grid in 2007, the Imola Circuit returned during Covid, hosting the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix until 2025.
Weather would be a concern in Imola in December. The average temperature is between 6 C and 8 C with heavy rain and the possibility of snow.
Antonelli’s rise
Antonelli holds a 50-point lead over Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ standings. The 19-year-old is the youngest person ever to lead the Drivers’ Championship.
Antonelli picked up the first win of his career at the Chinese Grand Prix. He carried a five-race win streak from China to Monaco. Antonelli won his sixth race of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix.
“He has brought a lot of new fans connected to him, because the nature of his way of engaging is fantastic,” Domenicali said. “On the sport side, he has proven to be very strong.”
Antonelli is the first Italian driver on the grid since Antonio Giovinazzi left in 2021. An Italian diver has not won the Formula 1 World Championship since Alberto Ascari won his second title in 1953.
“As you can imagine for the Italian fans, it’s even more important. The last Italian driver that won something important was many, many, many years ago. Therefore, he’s added a new dimension,” Domenicali said.
While Antonelli and Mercedes have comfortable leads in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, the field looked closer in the final races before the summer break.
Five different drivers won the previous five races. Reigning World Champion Lando Norris with McLaren became the first non-Mercedes or Ferrari driver to win in 2026 when he won the Hungarian Grand Prix. Norris was also the first non-Mercedes driver to take pole for a Grand Prix in 2026.
“It’s showing how much F1 is able to react to any kind of technical challenge or opportunity, because I remember very well at the beginning of the year, some were saying ‘The championship is already finished, we’ll have a Mercedes dominating the season, it’s game over.’
“Actually, it’s not the truth — there are still a lot of things that will happen up to the end of the year. There will be more teams that will be able to fight for the win. There will be more drivers where it will be possible for them to be the winner."
Looking ahead to 2027
Formula 1 has not announced the calendar for the 2027 season yet. However, Portugal and Türkiye have been confirmed to return to the calendar.
“So far, the calendar that will be presented, let’s say in autumn, it would be as a sort of normal plan. But of course, in the case that situation in the Middle East would not be solved, we have options,” Domenicali said.
“But the trigger for that is at the end of the year, so we still have a lot of time to adjust. We have different plans with different options ready in place that will accommodate the fact that we will keep, in any case, the target of 24 Grands Prix for next year.”
