F1 boss Domenicali: "It's clear that Ferrari plays an important role"

Stefano Domenicali is the general manager of Formula 1 since this year. He succeeded Chase Carey. Domenicali was previously team boss of Ferrari, but denies there will be any favouritism.

Domenicali spent more than 20 years at Ferrari, working as team boss for the Italian team from 2008 to 2014. To the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport he said that we will not see any form of favouring his old employer, however.

"Liberty Media is in favour of a great battle between all the teams. It's clear that Ferrari plays an important role and everyone hopes they do well, because that helps the company tremendously. Ferrari is unique for everything they've done for Formula One and they have a great history in motorsport," quote Soy Motor.

Domenicali was born in Imola and so it is extra wry for him that no audience can attend next week's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. "It was not possible to have a race with an audience at Imola and I am very sad about that. Imola evokes great memories for me, because I worked in the paddock there when I was a student."

The Grand Prix took place last year and this year as a replacement race, so it is far from certain whether Formula One will return to the circuit after this season. "Whether we return there in the future depends on many things. We will study it, but what we want above all is to enjoy next week."