Several F1 drivers have shared their positive reactions to the news that Stefano Domenicali will remain as President and CEO of Formula 1 through 2029, having extended his agreement with Liberty Media in a five-year renewal.
Domenicali started in his role on January 1, 2021, and in the years since the sport has witnessed incredible growth and increased demand for its races around the world. As well as experiencing strong momentum in fan growth and engagement, there has also been commercial success across all business areas including sponsorship, media rights and race promotion.
READ MORE: Stefano Domenicali to continue as President and CEO of Formula 1 through 2029
The news that Domenicali will continue in his position has been praised by several drivers including Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who reflected on the Italian’s role in driving the sport’s development.
“It’s great to see [F1] grow, it’s great to see the audience grow, to see the sport moving in the right direction, [and] having Stefano just re-sign,” Hamilton said ahead of this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Hamilton has spoken positively of Domenicali’s impact on F1 since the Italian joined as President and CEO
“Thank God he’s staying, because it’s good to have a neutral good leader at the forefront of the helm.”
Max Verstappen was similarly complimentary about Domenicali, commenting on the news: “It’s great for Formula 1. First of all, he’s a great person – I get along very well with Stefano, so I’m very happy that he’s staying around for a longer period of time.”
Oscar Piastri echoed this sentiment and spoke positively about Domenicali’s approach to speaking with the drivers.
“I think what he’s been able to help with [in] the sport has been very appreciated,” the McLaren racer commented. “His door is always open to us as drivers and [he’s] very easy to talk to, very receptive of our ideas and concerns if we have any, so [I’m] very happy that he’s sticking around for a long time.”
Like Hamilton, George Russell hailed how Formula 1 has grown across recent years and voiced his support of Domenicali’s attitude towards continuing this trajectory.
Verstappen believes that Domenicali’s continuation in his role is «great for Formula 1»
“It’s great news, because the sport is in the best place it’s ever been, and it’s been since Stefano’s been at the helm and it’s just gone from strength to strength,” the Briton explained.
“He’s always got ideas to continuously grow the sport; as I said, the sport is at the peak right now that it’s ever been, but he’s not looking to stop here.
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“He’s looking at what’s next, how can we continue this growth, and also just that stability and transparency from such a leader within the sport… Myself – [and] I believe all the teams and all the drivers – are fully behind him.”
Russell’s Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was also similarly complimentary, saying: “Stefano… I think the track record speaks for itself. When you look at since he’s been the CEO of Formula 1, we have gone from strength to strength.
Russell says that Domenicali has ‘always got ideas to continuously grow the sport’
«What I like is that he knows the business inside out, in the outside as a Ferrari Team Principal, and then at Lamborghini as a CEO he’s seen the corporate side of things.
«It’s actually the perfect mix that the CEO of F1 could be. Someone that is trustworthy, reliable, straightforward… It’s great for F1 that he’s staying here for another four, five years.”
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Prior to joining Formula 1, Domenicali worked at Ferrari from 1991 onwards, holding various positions before becoming Team Principal in 2008.
He went on to join Audi AG as Vice President of New Business Initiatives in 2014 and then was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini in 2016. During his time at Lamborghini, Domenicali successfully grew the brand in major global markets and across platforms, producing strong financial results.
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