Stefano Domenicali shares whether F1 could scrap the new regulations early after driver complaints

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Stefano Domenicali revealed how F1 will respond to recent driver complaints about the new regulations amid safety concerns.

Since Oliver Bearman’s 50G crash at Suzuka, there has been a lot of talk about the new regulations and the safety risk they pose to the drivers.

Fans were outraged over Bearman’s crash, suggesting that Formula 1 had not considered the safety of the drivers when formulating the regulations.

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Some believe Oliver Bearman’s crash exposed the fact that the FIA has not made driver safety their top priority when coming up with the new regulations.

Even Stefano Domenicali was concerned about the new regulations in the aftermath. But the F1 chief doesn’t see a change in the regulations coming so easily.

READ MORE: Ollie Bearman blasts ‘unacceptable’ Franco Colapinto after his 50G crash at Japanese Grand Prix

Stefano Domenicali gives negative update on new F1 regulations being scrapped before 2031

In an interview with Motorsport, Formula 1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali was asked about the possibility of changing the new regulations before 2031.

He noted that there is very little chance of the regulations being changed in 2031, due to the investment from manufacturers well ahead of time.

“In this moment, to have a manufacturer that invests in Formula 1 is something incredible, which deserves our total respect. Because in this context, you don’t want to take that for granted.

“And let the FIA coordinate with their vision of what could be the right set of regulations that can be proposed to the manufacturer and to the teams.

“The regulations, in terms of governance, are expiring at the end of 2030. The agreement is part in that. After that, there is the possibility for the FIA to produce a set of regulations.

“We’re going to be together on that with the FIA, for sure. And after that, it is a matter of understanding if there is the possibility to eventually anticipate it or not. That’s something that will be part of the discussion we’re going to have now.”

READ MORE: Damon Hill says 2026 F1 cars are ‘highly dangerous’ after Oliver Bearman’s Japanese GP crash

Stefano Domenicali wants F1 to transition to even lighter cars going forward

Speaking further in the interview, Domenicali revealed that he hopes Formula 1 moves in a direction of lighter cars with even more sustainable engine options.

“I definitely see personally – but it’s up, of course, to the FIA to propose that – a sort of sustainable fuel for sure at the centre of the future, with a different balance of what could be the electrification with a strong internal combustion engine.

“Because that’s motorsport. It will allow [us] to save a lot of kilos, to have pure racing in that respect, in terms of a lighter car, smaller cars that you can really push as much as you can. So that’s going in the direction, I believe, that the purists should be happier.

“In terms of the racing itself, with some adjustment, it is great on the track. Don’t misunderstand me on that. But the car is still very heavy. The battery has [introduced] a lot of things that have to be considered when you design a car. So, these are the things that we need to process and to react to.”

Even before they were implemented, drivers like George Russell warned against the new regulations, citing both the safety concerns and the limitations of the new cars.

These comments from Domenicali are sure to generate a polarising reaction from drivers and fans alike, much like the new regulations have.