With F1 committed to using fully sustainable fuels from 2026 rather than going down an all-electric route, thoughts are already being put towards what type of power unit the series could use further down the road.
And, with Domenicali having been clear recently that he wants to see car weight coming down, one area where significant mass could be reduced is with the hybrid power units, which currently incorporate heavy battery cells.
In an exclusive interview with Autosport, Domenicali laid out his vision for F1 to seriously consider an eventual change of approach for the power unit once the sustainable fuel rules have bedded down.
"If we can be effective in the study and production of sustainable fuel, we will be able to think about the next generation of power units, focusing on lightness,” he said.
“We want a competitive engine, with many horsepower and also with a great sound. 99.9% of people want to hear a Formula 1 sound on track again, and that's something we've put on the table."
While F1 is continuing with turbo-hybrids from 2026, Domenicali thinks that potential changes in the direction of the automotive market over the next decade could allow a shift of focus for grand prix racing too.
“Today we are in a transition phase, where large manufacturers need to develop hybrid and electric technologies since they are part of their sales portfolio,” he said.
Source: Autosport