Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has outlined a strategic vision to strengthen the sport’s commercial foundation by adopting key elements from American sports leagues, particularly the NFL and NBA. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com published on April 20, 2026, Domenicali emphasized that while F1 will not replicate every aspect of U.S. Sports culture, there is one critical area where the series can improve: the structured, collective approach to business decision-making among team owners.
“What we necessitate to take away from the team discussion is their, let’s say, tactical discussion where they sense that they have an advantage,” Domenicali said. “Notice a lot of things that we’ll never copy from American sports, but there is one element where I do believe that we should learn – because in the US, there is the owners meeting when the owners talk about business.”
This comment comes amid F1’s ongoing commercial expansion, which has seen the series grow its global fanbase significantly in recent years. Domenicali noted that the share of younger and female fans has increased, both in overall viewership and at race events, with similar trends observed in the United States. These developments have been supported by initiatives such as the Netflix series Drive to Survive and the film F1: The Movie, which have helped attract new audiences to the sport.
Despite this progress, Domenicali acknowledged that F1 still faces challenges in aligning its commercial strategy across all stakeholders. “Such steps require a commercial vision that is shared across the paddock, but this is where F1 still sees room for improvement,” he said. The current structure, where individual teams often pursue separate sponsorship and marketing strategies, can hinder unified growth efforts.
The NFL model, in contrast, features regular ownership meetings where league-wide business matters — including revenue sharing, broadcasting rights, and collective marketing initiatives — are discussed and negotiated. Domenicali pointed to this collaborative framework as a potential blueprint for F1, suggesting that greater alignment among the 10 teams could enhance the sport’s negotiating power and long-term stability.
“Business is related to how much money you can do together and what is the right regulation that you can have for the best of your interest,” Domenicali explained. “On that, we are on the right path, but still not there. We need to do a step as a system where everyone understands that on the track you have to fight. You can steal one engineer from the others, or the drivers… but off the track, we need to think as one.”
This philosophy reflects a broader shift in F1’s governance since the introduction of the Concorde Agreement in 2021, which aimed to increase financial stability and competitive balance through a more equitable distribution of prize money and a cost cap. Domenicali’s remarks indicate that the next phase of evolution may focus less on sporting regulations and more on commercial cohesion.
The timing of these comments is notable, as F1 continues to expand its presence in North America. The series currently holds three Grands Prix in the United States — in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas — with plans to potentially add a fourth in the future. The growing interest in F1 among American audiences has been mirrored by increased involvement from U.S.-based entities, including Cadillac’s official entry as a constructor in 2026.
Cadillac’s debut season has been accompanied by a high-profile marketing campaign, including a Super Bowl television advertisement in February 2026 that revealed the team’s inaugural livery. The commercial, aired during Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, highlighted Cadillac’s American roots and marked a significant moment in the brand’s return to Formula 1 after decades away.
While Domenicali did not specify exact timelines or structural changes for implementing an NFL-inspired owners’ forum, his remarks signal a clear intent to strengthen F1’s commercial infrastructure. The success of such a model would depend on securing buy-in from all teams, particularly given the historically competitive and sometimes fractious nature of the paddock.
For now, the immediate focus remains on the upcoming race calendar, with the next event scheduled for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in May 2026. As F1 navigates its dual role as a global sporting spectacle and a growing commercial enterprise, Domenicali’s push for greater business unity may prove critical in determining how effectively the sport capitalizes on its expanding appeal — especially in key markets like the United States.
Archysport will continue to monitor developments in F1’s governance and commercial strategy as the season progresses. Fans and stakeholders alike will be watching to see whether the lessons from American sports can help usher in a new era of stability and growth for the pinnacle of motorsport.
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