Stefano Domenicali reconsiders 2026 F1 rules following Oliver Bearman Suzuka crash

Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images Before the Japanese Grand Prix, Stefano Domenicali and the FIA were vocal about their plans to adjust the new F1 rules. Bearman’s 50G crash at Suzuka highlighted growing concerns over safety issues linked to recent changes in Formula One regulations. In the aftermath, many fans criticised F1 officials for not taking driver safety seriously enough and demanded action.

This has sparked debate over whether the FIA puts enough emphasis on driver safety compared to other aspects of the sport, like entertainment value. But Bearman’s accident may have served as a turning point for Stefano Domenicali, who could now be rethinking his initial stance on the new rules. Stefano Domenicali and FIA reportedly held off 2026 regulation changes until after Hungarian GP On the Nailing the Apex podcast , F1 journalist Julianne Cerasoli shared that she had spoken to Stefano Domenicali and others at the FIA before the Japanese Grand Prix.

Domenicali was said to be standing firm on the new rules, with no intention of making changes before the Hungarian Grand Prix. He reportedly didn’t see any major problems with how things were going at the time. “I was talking to people from teams, and I spoke to Stefano (Domenicali), and spoke to the FIA .

And they’re all saying, ‘No, the racing is fine. There are no issues with the racing. ’ “We are only going to address qualifying because qualifying is absolutely ridiculous.