Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali has dismissed criticism of the sport's new regulations, insisting that most fans are enjoying the racing more than ever while a vocal group of drivers — including reigning world champion Lando Norris and four-time title winner Max Verstappen — have gone public with their complaints.

Speaking to journalists as F1 entered its summer break after 11 race meetings, Domenicali argued that the audience F1 is now reaching cares far less about the technical grievances aired in the paddock than the drivers making them. "Most fans enjoy the sport more than ever and are unconcerned by driver complaints," he said, according to The Guardian.

The friction centres on the 2026 technical regulations, which shifted the sport's focus toward electrical energy management — essentially, how efficiently a car deploys its battery power over a lap and a race stint. Drivers have roundly disliked the change. Norris, the defending world champion, accused F1 in Hungary of putting profit before the sport to attract engine manufacturers with the new rules. Verstappen has been a fervent critic throughout the season.

Domenicali's counter-argument rests on the audience numbers. According to F1's figures, 42% of the sport's audience is now female, and women make up three-quarters of all new fans. Some 43% of the total fanbase is under 35. In a striking aside, Domenicali discussed how new fans consume Formula One with George Lucas — the Star Wars creator — in Hungary on the Saturday of grand prix weekend.

Away from the rulebook debate, Domenicali confirmed that the 2026 season finale would move to Europe if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix are cancelled due to the ongoing Middle East war. A decision on whether those two races go ahead will be made by mid-September. Imola in Italy — the circuit officially known as Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari — is believed to be the favoured venue if the finale relocates. Domenicali also noted that the World Endurance Championship has already cancelled its own end-of-year Middle Eastern rounds and chosen to stay in Europe, offering it as a point of comparison.

The contingency planning extends beyond this year. Domenicali confirmed that alternative 2027 calendars are being drawn up should the conflict continue, and that any revised schedule would still comprise 24 meetings. He also told Reuters that F1 expects its next engine package — the set of rules governing power units from roughly 2030 or 2031 — to be ready for discussion by the end of 2026. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has separately backed a move to sustainable-fuel V8 engines from 2031.

The 2026 finale will not end in Las Vegas, Domenicali confirmed, according to Motorsport.com.

Refinements to the current regulations are already in motion. The FIA confirmed in February that changes had been agreed at an F1 Commission meeting and referred to the World Motor Sport Council, the body that ratifies rule changes. Domenicali himself acknowledged in April that areas for adjustment were under review, as reported on Formula1.com.

For all the noise from the cockpit, Domenicali struck an upbeat tone about the season ahead, describing the championship so far as "very fascinating" and looking to the second half with "a lot of positivity." The sport, in his reading, is growing in directions the drivers' complaints do not capture — and he has a contract through at least the end of 2029 to keep steering it there.