Components 1 boss Stefano Domenicali says sport would not want new groups regardless of an absence of seats for drivers

Components 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali says including new groups to the grid is “not a precedence”; Audi are becoming a member of F1 as an engine producer from 2026 whereas Porsche additionally need to be part of after a cope with Pink Bull collapsed

Stefano Domenicali has admitted there usually are not sufficient Components 1 seats for “nice drivers” akin to Daniel Ricciardo, however believes the game doesn’t want any new groups as there’s a threat it will change into “too crowded”.

There are presently 10 groups and 20 seats in F1, which is fewer than most years within the sport’s historical past, though a growth in recognition has considerably elevated demand and curiosity in becoming a member of the grid.

Audi are already confirmed as an engine producer from 2026, whereas Porsche additionally need to be part of after a cope with Pink Bull collapsed.

The gifted drivers in the marketplace, with Ricciardo one in every of many skilled and up-and-coming stars presently out of contract, has solely made further seats all of the extra invaluable, and Domenicali advised Sky Sports activities F1 the Australian “is a good driver in a tough second in his profession [at McLaren]” and that he “hopes he can discover his place”.

F1’s president and CEO, nonetheless, is standing agency on not wanting new groups added.

“As at all times, that you must be balanced,” Domenicali mentioned. “It’s good to see all of the issues which might be across the desk. Having extra drivers… on the finish of the day there may be at all times a restrict at which you’ll be able to go.

“Including one or two, chances are you’ll open up some driving seats. However we have to even have the appropriate dimension in what’s profitable for the game.

“I believe in that respect there may be the analysis of the sustainability of the staff, the analysis of not being too crowded with that. So I might say by way of precedence, it’s not actually a necessity for Components 1 at this time.”

Michael Andretti has been seeking to deliver one other US staff to F1, though even when potential outfits pay the $200m entry charge it’s no assure of their place.

Domenicali mentioned his reluctance is due to “having a imaginative and prescient for the long run”.

“Now Components 1 is extraordinarily aggressive however that you must be very robust by way of financials, by way of competence, and at this time this is among the issues that’s essential, to ensure the steadiness of the system will probably be for a very long time.

“You see how tough at this time it’s to search out individuals that actually are the high-quality in all of the totally different enterprise. I do not assume that at this time that’s one thing we will say with religion.

“I believe that’s the time that we have to make investments for the long run, however we have to be balanced. So I am not saying that this is not going to occur, however we have to take it step-by-step.”