Domenicali says F1 is in talks with new potential manufacturers #F1

Stefano Domenicali who was recently made F1’s new CEO has revealed discussions have already taken place during his tenure with new manufacturers about entering the sport. As of the 2021 season, there are only 10 teams in the F1 paddock, and Honda’s exit will leave just three engine suppliers in Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault.

However, Domenicali believes other manufacturers are still eyeing the series as an attractive way of promoting their products.

“I think one of the biggest challenges that automotive manufacturers have today is to feel younger,” said Domenicali during a video interview with Martin Brundle for Sky and reported by Formula 1.

“There is this kind of fight between the old school of OEM [Original Equipment Manufacturers] and the new OEMs that are coming in the mobility side. “But I think the OEMs can use the platform [of Formula 1] to get also the fresh image they maybe need for the future.

“What I can say is that we are in discussions with other manufacturers. For the moment, they prefer to stay still quiet, but the good news is that there are other… companies, very important companies, that are really keen to understand what is the value that they can bring home using the F1 platform”

“Not only in terms of technology but in terms of also the value of what Formula 1 can bring to the automotive manufacturer.”

“It’s not possible that the power unit in Formula 1 can cost what it is costing today,” added the Italian, who was team principal of Ferrari from 2008-14.

“I think there is a margin, a big margin on that, and one of the agendas we have is that we would like to involve teams and OEMs to try and anticipate the new engine even earlier than what is expected of the regulation and make sure these kinds of things will be part of the agenda, and I’m sure we can do it.”

What are your thoughts regarding what the F1 Ceo was to say? Let us know in the comments below.

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