Domenicali disagrees with Verstappen criticism: 'All sports change'

Stefano Domenicali has praised Max Verstappen, whom he compares to seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. However, the sporting director of F1 owner Liberty Media does hold a different view to Verstappen when it comes to sprint racing in the pinnacle of motorsport.

"Our sport is always characterised by cycles, coupled with a combination of a strong car and an extraordinary driver. With Max Verstappen, we have a driver who is very mature in both qualifying and racing: he reminds me of Michael Schumacher. They don't even leave the crumbs to others," Domenicali told the radio programme La Politica nel Pallone.

Michael Schumacher

Domenicali (58) and Michael Schumacher (54) are contemporaries. Domenicali was formerly the team boss of Ferrari and he worked with Schumacher between 1996 and 2006. During that period, Michael grew to become the most successful Formula 1 driver ever by then, adding five world titles to the two he had already won at Benetton.

In 2013, Schumacher suffered a serious skiing accident, where he sustained severe brain damage. "It seems like only yesterday that he had his accident in Meribel, these are episodes that change your life," said Domenicali, who also did not release anything about the German's current condition. "Out of respect for him and his family, you have to stay close to him, this difficult situation remains. What is between me and the family remains private, but living like this for 10 years is something you would not wish even your worst enemy."

Sprint races

The sprint races were much talked about in Formula 1 this season. Six sprint weekends were organised, but by no means everyone was enthusiastic. For instance, the sprint race would take away some of the excitement on Sunday, because you can already see exactly how the tyres will behave on Sunday. In addition, the Saturday feet are a bit of a standalone event with a Sprint Shootout and the 100-kilometre race where a maximum of eight points can be scored.

Verstappen has said that he gets "zero satisfaction" from the sprint races. Meanwhile, Formula 1 is looking at how to improve. "We will keep six sprint races on the calendar, but we are thinking about some operational changes. The dates show that there is interest because the concept of days dedicated only to free practice [Fridays] does not show the right direction now. All sports are changing, everyone has to take into account what is happening in the world."

Three-time world champion Verstappen disagreed with that thought from Domenicali. He called the constantly new rules for sprint racing 'madness.' "Why do we always have to try and invent new things?" he said as recently as late October. Next year's sprint races will be held in China, Miami, Austria, Austin, Brazil and Qatar.