Stefano Domenicali has warned that Formula 1 cannot afford delays in deciding the future of its engine regulations, urging stakeholders to reach a clear direction before the end of the year.
Speaking to Autosport, the F1 chief said time pressure is mounting as the sport looks beyond the current regulatory cycle, which runs until 2030. Given the long development timelines required by manufacturers, any indecision now could have consequences later in the decade.
“We cannot lose too much time because time is passing so quickly,” Domenicali said, stressing that a decision on the next generation of power units must come soon. He added that discussions with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile will be central to shaping the next phase of the sport.
His comments come as Formula 1 enters a new era with the introduction of the 2026 engine regulations, which have already attracted major investment from manufacturers. Companies such as Audi and Honda committed to the championship under the promise of a hybrid-focused, sustainable future.
For that reason, Domenicali made clear that any shift in direction must respect the financial and technical commitments already made. “In this moment, to have a manufacturer that invests in Formula 1 is something incredible,” he said, adding that such investments “deserve total respect.”
Last year, discussions around a potential return to simpler engine configurations, including V8-style units, were deliberately postponed. At the time, teams and manufacturers were focused on preparing for the complex rollout of the 2026 regulations, widely seen as one of the most technically demanding changes in recent years.
Now that those rules are in place, attention is shifting again toward what comes next.
Under the current governance framework, the regulations expire at the end of 2030. After that point, the FIA has the authority to introduce a new regulatory package. However, any attempt to bring forward a new formula, potentially as early as 2030 instead of 2031, would require broad agreement among manufacturers.
Domenicali indicated that while such a move is possible, it would depend heavily on consensus within the paddock.
Behind the scenes, there is growing alignment among teams and stakeholders about the general direction of travel. Many in the sport are reportedly open to a return to engines that resemble pre-2014 configurations, featuring more cylinders and a less dominant hybrid component.
Such a shift would mark a notable departure from the current emphasis on electrification, which has defined Formula 1’s technical philosophy for over a decade.
The broader context is also changing. Governments and automakers, including those within the European Union, have begun to reassess the pace of their transition to fully electric vehicles. This recalibration has strengthened the case for sustainable fuels as a long-term solution, both in motorsport and beyond.
Formula 1 has already introduced advanced sustainable fuels in its current regulations, positioning them as a central pillar of its environmental strategy.
Domenicali suggested that this approach will remain at the heart of future engine concepts, but with a different balance between electric and combustion power.
“I definitely see sustainable fuel at the centre of the future,” he said, while also pointing to the importance of maintaining a strong internal combustion engine component.
A key objective, according to the F1 chief, is to reduce the weight and complexity of the cars. Modern Formula 1 machines are significantly heavier than their predecessors, largely due to hybrid systems and battery technology.
This added weight has become a point of concern for drivers and engineers alike, affecting performance, tyre wear and overall racing dynamics.
Domenicali argued that lighter, simpler cars would not only improve the on-track spectacle but also enhance driver enjoyment and reduce costs for manufacturers.
“It will allow to save a lot of kilos, to have pure racing,” he said, describing a vision of smaller, more agile cars that can be pushed to their limits.
However, he was careful to underline that the current racing product remains strong. “With some adjustment, it is great on the track,” he noted, while acknowledging that the technical complexity of modern cars presents ongoing challenges.
The debate now facing Formula 1 is how to balance competing priorities: sustainability, cost control, manufacturer interest and sporting appeal.
With discussions expected to intensify in the coming months, the decisions made this year could shape the sport’s identity for the next decade.