Formula 1 new president Stefano Domenicali on Lewis Hamilton includes waiting for Mercedes ’new contract at world champion, F1’s continued focus on diversity into 2021, and much more in a Sky Sports F1 exclusive interview; Watch in full in the video below
By James Galloway
Last updated: 21/01/21 6:13 pm
New F1 boss Stefano Domenicali says he is looking forward to seeing Lewis Hamilton take on the “incredible” challenge of trying to become the first eight-time champion in the world this year, as the sport awaits news of a Mercedes driver contract renewal.
Ironically, Hamilton still does not have a contract to race in 2021 two months before the start of the new season, although he is still expected to expand with Mercedes.
While Domenicali said he had no inside information about the state of talks between a driver and the F1 world champion team, he said he wanted to see Hamilton’s latest attempt at history play out.
“Lewis is a main character,” said Domenicali, new president and CEO of F1, the sport’s main star in an extensive interview with Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle.
“Lewis has incredible potential to be the best in numbers. So the challenge there is incredible.
This is at 3400m. Starting at 2400am. The air is so thin, it is harder to breathe which is perfect for pushing the body. I’m at the end of the walk here, a perfect start in the morning and then a cross-country ski that I’m not so big at but I get over. pic.twitter.com/YJZD3PAjTJ
– Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) January 21, 2021
“I’m really looking forward to seeing him fight along the way with the way he now behaves as a man, not just as a driver.”
In the absence of a contract publication, Domenicali added: “As you would expect, I have no other information.
“I’m waiting for the news for Toto [Wolff] to release, and to prove Lewis. Everyone is waiting for that. That’s the same kind of view I have as all Formula 1 fans. “
‘Formula 1 doesn’t live out of this world’
1:56 New F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says the drive for diversity and the WeRaceAsOne campaign will remain a ‘top priority’ for the sport in 2021.
As noted by Domenicali, Hamilton combined his progressive efforts in 2020 by playing a powerful role in the Black Lives Matter movement and using his platform to fight racial injustice. .
Domenicali believes that drivers are becoming more aware that they can.
“The good thing is that drivers are increasingly realizing that they are Formula 1 ambassadors, in varying degrees,” he said. “Not only in terms of technical skills but also in terms of the approach they can send out the right message in Formula 1. I think they will appreciate that.
“Of course, we don’t want to be political because that’s not our business, but we want to clarify society’s values.”
F1 launched the We Race As One campaign last year and Domenicali said promoting diversity would remain a ‘top priority’ into 2021, with time to set it aside again before races to clarify key messages.
“Diversity and We Race will be one opportunity to draw attention to the time before the start of the race to use these summaries to clarify values related to this program and this particular topic, “said Domenicali.
“What we have in mind is to use this time to share with the drivers and teams how we can get the attention that the F1 world needs to have. not only to the end of racism, but to the diversity and We Race As One program.
“We will use this level to ensure that everyone understands that Formula 1 does not live out of this world. Formula 1 wants to play an active role in raising of those values. “