F1 CEO calls for more 'controversy' to 'spice up' the sport

04/17/2025 06:30 AM

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has voiced his desire to see an increase in the "spice" between teams and the controversies they are involved in. Constant battling for supremacy has long been an important factor in F1, with teams going to lengths to seek any advantage possible. A major topic of conversation from the opening phase of the ongoing season has related to flexible wings. The FIA imposed stricter rear wing flex limits ahead of the new season and tightened the regulation further just a handful of rounds into the campaign to stamp out a 'mini-DRS' trick. F1 teams are also preparing for a clampdown on front wing flexing from the Spanish Grand Prix later this year. Amid various finger-pointing and accusations around the grid, particularly between Red Bull and McLaren, Domenicali has stated the controversies of the modern era are not as dramatic compared to previous scandals. "I've lived through many of those: Malaysia 1999, the double diffuser, FRIC, mass dampers, F-ducts… all part of F1's story," Domenicali told motorsport.com . "I used to be hands-on with technical and sporting regulation debates almost every Sunday [when he worked for Ferrari].  "Years ago, there were far broader grey areas than today – but F1 people still know how to push everything to the limit. "Personally, I feel today's controversies are relatively minor.  "In fact, it'd be nice to have a bit more of that again – they're the spice of the sport."