F1: Abu Dhabi controversy didn’t erode fans’ trust, says F1 CEO Domenicali

“We had last week, a meeting with all the promoters and all the broadcasters and all the partners. Almost all the places we are going are sold out. That means that Formula One has no problem,” the F1 CEO Stefano Doemicali  said.

Domenicali said the controversial end to last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix had not eroded the trust of the sport’s fans as it prepares to embark on a new era at this weekend’s season-opener in Bahrain.

“I think that to be honest, the trust is already there,” Domenicali told Sky Sports F1 pundit and former racer Martin Brundle at Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit.

“We had last week, a meeting with all the promoters and all the broadcasters and all the partners.

“Almost all the places we are going are sold out [At $3,000 a ticket!]. That means that Formula One has not that problem,” the Italian added.

Domenicali, a former Ferrari team principal, said it was important to create infrastructure to support the race directors, but decisions shouldn’t be made by committee.

“Race direction has to be an entity organized in the proper way. But the race director is a person who has to take the right decision,” he said.

“And he can take the right decision if he is well-supported, if he has all the tools that are available for him to make this judgment.” Reuters/Business Live