The wider F1 significance of Ferrari's Monza affirmation

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is always very considered, precise and cautious in what he says. Whereas long-time F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone would happily throw a few quotes bombs out there to stir up a bit of drama (who can forget Rolex-gate?), Domenicali prefers to tread a bit more carefully when speaking to the media.

So, it was quite interesting that during an interview with Italian media ahead of last weekend’s action getting underway at Monza, he offered some thoughts about the changing nature of F1’s fanbase and why Ferrari’s influence may be diminishing.

“There is an audience, such as Italy or in neighbouring countries, which faithfully follows Ferrari,” explained Domenicali. “But there is also another global audience, and that is changing. Just look at the colour of the grandstands around the world, and we see many differences compared to a few years ago.

“The drivers are influencing a new generation of enthusiasts a lot, with their personalities, openness on social media, and a sort of direct contact with the fan base.

“Ferrari obviously remains an extraordinarily iconic team, and I personally hope they can return to the top soon. A competitive Ferrari helps the whole system, and awakens fans who may have lost interest.”

Domenicali’s reference to the new ‘colour’ of the grandstands was clearly about the tremendous impact that Max Verstappen has made in transforming the popularity of F1 in Europe. The travelling ‘Orange Army’ are now commonplace at pretty much all the continental races, and his presence has been a boon to many promoters in ensuring sell-out crowds. There’s also no doubt that the Dutch GP would not be a part of the F1 schedule right now were it not for Verstappen.

Verstappen's travelling army has become a fixture of European grands prix, pointing to the changing dynamic of fan preferences

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

But it’s not just Verstappen who is drawing in the crowds. Fernando Alonso helped make the Spanish Grand Prix greener this year; Lando Norris has brought his own Papaya army, while Lewis Hamilton’s followers have adorned the silver and black colours of Mercedes for a decade now.

Domenicali’s reference to this change of fan dynamics was intriguing because it could be viewed as a message that perhaps Ferrari is not as critical to F1’s eco-system as perhaps it once was.

For decades now, F1 has been in no doubt that Ferrari’s presence was essential to grand prix racing’s success, and the prestige of the championship was enhanced by the Prancing Horse being there. Ferrari took advantage off this notion that F1 needed Ferrari more than Ferrari needed F1, as it played hardball in commercial discussions and occasionally lobbed out a quit threat.

It’s why it has long retained a veto over regulations if it can show that changes will harm its interests. And even in the most recent Concorde Agreement, Ferrari still retained a commercial income boost over the opposition (believed to be around $40million per year) as recognition of its historical significance.

When it comes down to the intense negotiations that typically play out in Concorde talks, you can be sure that Ferrari’s rivals will be playing down the significance of the squad to try to ensure there is more money in the prize pot for everyone else

With discussions set to start soon on the next Concorde, which may or may not be put in place for 2025, Domenicali’s stance about drivers being the biggest draw now could offer us some insight into whether or not Ferrari’s special treatment will remain.

After all, when it comes down to the intense negotiations that typically play out in Concorde talks, you can be sure that Ferrari’s rivals will be playing down the significance of the squad to try to ensure there is more money in the prize pot for everyone else.

And this is exactly why last weekend’s Italian GP may have some added significance for Ferrari in acting as a timely reminder about the huge draw and influence the team still has.

PLUS: The numbers that prove Monza 2023 was Sainz’s best F1 race weekend

Monza could so easily have been a damp squib, with a lacklustre performance encouraging the tifosi to stay at home with little to cheer for amid the ongoing onslaught from Red Bull. But the SF-23 Monza package, fresh engines and some gritty driving from Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc helped stir up the grandstands – and the atmosphere was something to behold. It was F1 fan fever at its very best. 

The importance of Ferrari to F1 is impossible to understate

Photo by: Erik Junius

Even for someone who has seen it all in racing, like team boss Fred Vasseur, the emotions of the Monza weekend were something that perhaps were much bigger than even he anticipated.

“Emotionally it was a huge one for me,” he said on Sunday night. “As you can imagine, I tried all week to downplay the situation, to say to the guys we can't score more points in Monza than somewhere else, so let's take it a little bit easy.

“But when I arrived on Wednesday evening, and when you have hundreds of guys, two or three days before the event with the right polo shirts, I said, 'OK, it won't be easy to take it easy!'”

Indeed, Monza provided the perfect example of why Ferrari still matters: for both its fans and the wider F1 community. And who is not to say that many of those who tuned in at the weekend, who admired Sainz’s valiant defence and the fantastic battle in the closing stages between the two red cars, won’t be converted to become Ferrari fans in the future?

Even Ferrari’s most staunch of rivals admitted that racing in Italy meant a lot more because of the Prancing Horse. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: “I think it was a great, great spectacle for the tifosi. It gave some good entertainment, and it's just an unbelievable ambience here. It doesn't get any better than Monza.”

It’s something that Ferrari will be sure to remind everyone when those Concorde talks get going in earnest…

Even without championship success since 2008, Ferrari is still a huge draw and its Monza showing could prove timely

Photo by: Erik Junius