Sep.13 (GMM) Audi could sell further shares in its Formula 1 team as investor interest grows, but CEO Gernot Dollner insists the German manufacturer will retain control of the project. Speaking in Madrid, Dollner said Audi’s F1 program remains fully funded despite wider cost-cutting across the Volkswagen Group. “We have prepared very thoroughly for Formula […]
Category: Recent stories
Verstappen says Alonso must decide F1 future himself
Sep.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen says Fernando Alonso should not be persuaded into extending his Formula 1 career, as the Spaniard continues to blame the current regulations for making him consider walking away. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has openly said he wants to convince the 45-year-old to stay, but Verstappen believes the decision belongs entirely […]
Sainz urges safety changes at Madring
Sep.13 (GMM) Even Madring ambassador Carlos Sainz says Madrid’s new Formula 1 circuit needs changes, particularly over visibility and safety, while several leading drivers are also criticising aspects of the layout. Sainz said street circuits commonly evolve after their debut and expects Madring to be no different. “Without a doubt, I think the circuit will […]
Verstappen ‘closer to quitting’ than joining McLaren
Sep.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he came closer to leaving Formula 1 altogether than switching to McLaren before ultimately extending his Red Bull contract. Speaking to Bild newspaper in Madrid, Verstappen insisted the obvious discussions with rival teams were genuine. “Every conversation with another team has to be taken seriously,” he said. “But ultimately, I […]
Madrid hosts ‘important’ Imola finale meeting
Sep.13 (GMM) Evidence is continuing to mount that Imola will replace the Middle East as Formula 1’s 2026 season finale, even though F1 and the FIA are still refusing to make the change official. On Ziggo Sport, Red Bull simulator driver Rudy van Buren claimed an important private meeting took place in Madrid involving the […]
Lambiase could join McLaren early
Sep.13 (GMM) Gianpiero Lambiase could now leave Red Bull for McLaren as early as 2027, with preparations already underway for Max Verstappen to work without his long-time race engineer. Lambiase’s move to McLaren was announced earlier this year for 2028, but speculation accelerated in Madrid after he was seen openly speaking with Zak Brown in […]
Russell says Antonelli now ‘deserves’ 2026 title
Sep.13 (GMM) George Russell says the unusual 2026 cars have reshuffled the balance between several Formula 1 teammates, as he continues to struggle against Mercedes’ much younger championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo in Madrid, Russell rejected the idea that his greater experience with the previous generation of cars automatically explains the gap. […]
Hamilton under fire for ‘unsportsmanlike’ driving
Sep.12 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has come under fire from several rivals after repeatedly driving slowly on the racing line during Friday practice at F1’s new Madring circuit. Yuki Tsunoda was visibly unimpressed at one point, giving the Ferrari driver a sarcastic thumbs-up from his cockpit after being held up. Carlos Sainz was even more direct, […]
Alonso future saga now worries FIA
Sep.12 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s uncertain Formula 1 future is becoming a wider concern for the sport, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem now openly trying to convince the Spaniard to stay while Aston Martin quietly prepares for every possibility. Speaking at the New Economy Forum in Madrid, Ben Sulayem revealed he had already met Lawrence […]
Ben Sulayem wants Chinese 12th F1 team
Sep.12 (GMM) FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has again opened the door to a 12th Formula 1 team, directly contradicting Stefano Domenicali’s recent suggestion that another entry is not needed in the medium term. Ben Sulayem says any new entry should be a major Chinese manufacturer, following Cadillac’s arrival as the 11th team. “The FIA […]
Hadjar return still uncertain for Baku
Sep.12 (GMM) Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury appears more serious than initially hoped, with the Red Bull driver still wearing a substantial brace in Madrid and Laurent Mekies refusing to guarantee he will return in Baku. Hadjar has now missed three races, with Liam Lawson again substituting this weekend. Mekies said Red Bull had no hesitation […]
Williams, Horner caught in awkward timing controversies
Sep.12 (GMM) Two timing controversies have emerged around the Madrid GP weekend, involving Williams’ retro livery and Christian Horner’s forthcoming autobiography. Williams unveiled a mainly white design inspired by the team’s 1981 constructors’ triumph, which involved racing at Jarama near Madrid. But he historical reference has drawn criticism because of the wider sponsorship background attached […]
Ben Sulayem says Spain can sustain two F1 races
Sep.12 (GMM) FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says Spain can comfortably support two Formula 1 races, despite Madrid now holding a long-term place on the calendar and Barcelona moving to an alternating arrangement. Madrid is contracted annually through 2035, while Barcelona-Catalunya will return in 2028, 2030 and 2032 under its new rotation agreement. But Ben […]
Alonso says 2027 decision ‘not soon’
Sep.11 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says a decision about his 2027 future is still some way off, while openly admitting that options outside the Formula 1 cockpit are part of the discussion. Asked in Madrid when news about next season should be expected, the 45-year-old replied simply: “Not soon.” Alonso continues to insist his hesitation is […]
Lawson, Tsunoda push back on Verstappen ‘numb’ claim
Sep.11 (GMM) Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have pushed back against Max Verstappen’s suggestion that the 2026 Formula 1 cars are so “numb” that drivers can adapt unusually quickly. Verstappen pointed to both drivers in a BBC interview this week. “No disrespect,” said the quadruple world champion, “but look at Yuki.” “He jumps in the […]
Imola finale reports grow despite official denials
Sep.11 (GMM) Reports that Imola has already been lined up to replace Abu Dhabi as Formula 1’s 2026 season finale are continuing to gather strength, despite both the FIA and F1 publicly insisting nothing has been decided. Dutch commentator Jack Plooij says he has now heard directly from people within Pirelli that Imola will host […]
Ocon insists drivers are not Haas’ problem
Sep.11 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has pushed back against growing speculation over Haas’ 2027 driver lineup, insisting the team’s current problems are with the cars rather than the drivers. Team boss Ayao Komatsu has already confirmed that several candidates are being evaluated, including through TPC testing, as Ocon fights to retain his seat. But the Frenchman […]
Leclerc cleared to race as Ferrari tension cools
Sep.11 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has been cleared to race in Madrid after further medical checks following his heavy Monza crash, while Ferrari appears to have calmed the tensions exposed during its disastrous home weekend. “It felt like a serious accident,” Leclerc, who reported vision problems after the impact, said on Thursday. “But all the checks […]
Wolff admits nerves over Antonelli kart celebration
Sep.11 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted he was nervous when championship leader Kimi Antonelli celebrated his extraordinary Monza victory by immediately heading to the kart track with his Mercedes crew. The 20-year-old spent his only free day after winning from 19th on the grid at the well-known Franciacorta circuit in Castrezzato, Brescia, together with Mercedes […]
Madring design raises major red-flag risk
Sep.11 (GMM) Formula 1 drivers are expecting Madrid’s new Madring circuit to produce crashes, red flags and safety cars this weekend – while Carlos Sainz says the enormous venue leaves plenty of scope to alter the layout in future. The semi-urban circuit has already produced warnings following its Formula 3 test, where repeated stoppages and […]