F1 CEO Domenicali: 2026 Rules Will 'Rip Up the Form Book'

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali believes the 2026 season, featuring brand-new cars and power units, will completely reset the competitive order, building on a 2025 campaign that repeatedly defied predictions and showcased the sport's rising young talent.

Why it matters:

The 2026 technical overhaul represents the most significant reset since the 2022 ground-effect era began. Domenicali's prediction of a torn-up "form book" signals an intense development war where historical team hierarchies may not apply, offering a crucial opportunity for midfield teams to challenge the established elite.

The Details:

Reflecting on the unpredictable 2025 season, Domenicali highlighted its volatility as a blueprint for future excitement.

• The championship narrative shifted dramatically at least three times, with Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen each appearing destined for the title at different points.
• This constant uncertainty, according to Domenicali, has been central to growing F1's global fanbase, alongside major projects like the upcoming F1 movie.
• The CEO broadly defined success, congratulating Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen as "all winners" for creating an incredible season.

The Big Picture:

Domenicali emphasized the rise of a resilient young driver generation as a key theme for the sport's future.

• He cited Isack Hadjar's remarkable comeback as a prime example. After crashing on the formation lap in Australia and facing criticism, Hadjar recovered to earn a promotion to Red Bull Racing for 2026.
• "Formula 1 needs people to be resilient," Domenicali stated, underscoring the unique pressure of the sport where performance dictates a driver's trajectory.

What's Next:

The focus now shifts to the transformative 2026 regulations, which Domenicali describes as a complete competitive reset.

• New cars and revised power units running on advanced sustainable fuels will debut.
• "The pecking order will be up in the air," he warned, predicting that a team's ranking at the first race will likely differ from its position by the end of the year due to a "fast and intense" development race.
• Off-track, the sport's expansion continues with the recent addition of Madrid to the future calendar, signaling ongoing global growth.