Lamborghini rules out possibility of F1 entry in 2021

Lamborghini chief Stefano Domenicali has ruled out the Italian manufacturer joining Formula 1 in the short-term, adding the planned 2021 rule changes come “too early” for an entry.

Following his departure from his role as Ferrari team principal in 2014, Domenicali was appointed chairman and CEO at the Italian sports car brand in 2016 and participated in recent F1 engine meetings, representing the Volkswagen Group.

In an interview with the official F1 podcast ‘Beyond the Grid’, Domenicali admitted Lamborghini’s short-term priorities do not align with a switch to F1.

“I would say [it’s] difficult in this moment because the level of investment that Formula 1 needs, not to be competitive but to compete, is very high,” he said.

“Today Lamborghini needs to invest in other priorities. In new product, in the network, in the dealers. We are consolidating a big group, a big growth.

“Therefore in the short-term I don’t see that possible. But in life never say never.”

Speaking to media during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, FIA president Jean Todt said a definitive set of engine regulations was “very close” to being finalised ahead of 2021, as discussions continued over the future landscape of the sport.

F1 sporting chief Ross Brawn suggested it could be worth delaying the introduction of new power unit rules until new manufacturers would be in a position to enter, while Mercedes is keen to extend the existing engine cycle.

Todt confirmed one manufacturer had expressed an interest in joining F1 in the future but was unable to commit to an entry from 2021.

“I was always pessimistic to the fact with specific rules for Formula 1, we could have more than four manufacturers. Personally, I feel it’s really a great achievement to have four different powertrains for 10 teams,” Todt explained.

“My priority is to make sure that we keep them four. I always said it would be very unfair to the four engaged to say OK, we want to attract a new one, so let’s change everything,” he added.

“So what about them? About all the investments they’ve been doing for years, and change completely the regulations because we may have one or two coming?

“If we can secure those four, for me, that would be a great achievement. There was some demonstration of interest from one, who said to us ‘we are not in a situation for ’21, but what is very important for us is to know exactly what will be the regulations, because it could be a strong interest in the future.’”