McLaren says teams ‘must be open’ to Formula 1 ‘reinventing itself’

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has praised Formula 1’s leadership for steering the sport to unprecedented growth – but says teams must remain open to bold new ideas if that success is to continue.

As F1 basks in its global surge in popularity, Stella insists that teams have a duty to support the sport’s evolution, even as ideas like expanded Sprint races and reverse-grid formats spark lively debate.

Since Liberty Media acquired Formula 1’s commercial rights in 2017, the sport has undergone a dramatic transformation, adopting a more entertainment-focused approach that has fueled a staggering $3.6 billion in revenue last year.

A cornerstone of this success has been the reimagining of Grand Prix weekends, with Sprint races growing from a trial of three events in 2021 to a robust six-race format by 2023. These changes have captivated fans worldwide, drawing in new audiences and cementing F1’s status as a global juggernaut.

Stella is effusive in his praise for F1’s executives, particularly CEO Stefano Domenicali, for driving this growth.

“First of all, let me take the opportunity to praise the work done by Formula 1, by Stefano [Domenicali] and the F1 management because they have certainly led the growth of the business, which we all benefit from,” he told reporters.

Yet, the Italian warns that this success is not guaranteed and requires a collective effort.

“We all have a responsibility to sustain this journey that F1 as an overall business is going through,” Stella said.

“As part of this responsibility, we need to be open to reinventing ourselves if this is needed to sustain this growth.

“The success of the Formula 1 business at the moment should not be taken for granted. Not all sports are having this kind of success across the board.”

Embracing Innovation While Preserving F1’s Core

With F1 exploring bold ideas like expanding the annua number of Sprint events and introducing reverse-grid races – where top drivers would start further back to shake up competition – Stella advocates for an open-minded approach.

These proposals have ignited spirited discussions among teams and fans, but Stella believes the sport’s stakeholders must consider them seriously to keep pace with a changing fanbase.

“We understand also that the fandom has changed, and it could be that there’s a need to review the way we approach free practice, the way we approach the entire race weekend,” he continued.

“I think we have to be open to that.”

• Read also: Domencali puts reverse grids back on the table for F1 Sprint races

Still, Stella emphasizes the importance of safeguarding F1’s heritage.

“Obviously, we will try to be reasonable, we will try and protect some elements of the DNA of Formula 1, but definitely, I think it’s part of our responsibility to contribute,” he said.

“This is something we discussed recently in the F1 Commission, and it’s always going to be at the top of the agenda.

As Formula 1 races toward its next chapter, Stella’s message is clear: teams must rally behind the sport’s visionary leadership and embrace reinvention to keep fans enthralled, all while preserving the essence of Grand Prix racing.

With McLaren’s support, F1’s future looks as thrilling as a final alp wheel-to-wheel battle.

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