F1 CEO prescient: 'You have to anticipate them'

Formula 1, partly due to last season's title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, is more popular than ever. Stefano Domenicali, who as CEO of the motorsports class, sees a positive future ahead, also notices this.

Where Formula 1 faced criticism for years that the excitement was lacking, Mercedes and Red Bull Racing proved in 2021 that the fight for the world title is still alive and well. As the cars get closer together this season, it is expected that the thrill in the sport will not diminish this season.

The teams already showed during the opening race in Bahrain that they intend to fight for their place again this race year. For example, at the front of the driver field there was a fight between Verstappen and Charles Leclerc that the Monegasque eventually won. It is Domenicali's hope that this will happen more often.

"There are always surprises in F1, but you have to anticipate them," he told Formula1.com. "I think the hunger and drive for F1 now is bigger than ever – and that applies to every area of the business and the sport. The demand from fans for content and experience is huge, the demand from sponsors, demand from promoters – you can go on and on."