Sep.16 (GMM) It is possible Felipe Massa will be retrospectively awarded the 2008 world championship, according to Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko. A spokesperson for the FIA has confirmed that it has received the legal warnings of Massa’s lawyers, the situation is being reviewed, and no further information is forthcoming for now. Mercedes’ Toto Wolff […]
Category: Recent stories
FIA steps in after ‘grumpy’ Marko comments
Sep.16 (GMM) The FIA has stepped into the affair surrounding Dr Helmut Marko’s “South American” comment about Sergio Perez. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton thinks the 80-year-old Red Bull team advisor should be “fired” for the allegedly discriminatory remark, after Marko suggested Perez’s cultural background explains his struggle against Max Verstappen. Hamilton’s boss Toto Wolff agrees. “Shameful,” […]
Details of Vettel’s ‘plan bee’ emerge
Sep.15 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel will be trackside at Suzuka next weekend as the retired quadruple world champion considers a ‘plan bee’ for his future. The 36-year-old is back in the headlines this week amid rumours he might consider a return to the Formula 1 grid. “It’s up to him, obviously, if he’s thinking about it,” […]
Schumacher in talks with Alpine over 2024 role
Sep.15 (GMM) The details about Mick Schumacher ‘plan B’ for 2024 are now beginning to emerge. Motorsport Aktuell, a German-language weekly, claims the axed Haas racer and current Mercedes reserve is in detailed talks with Renault-owned Alpine. Alpine, of course, has a Formula 1 team, but it is believed German Schumacher, 24, is being lined […]
Boss admits Haas ‘B’ car coming in Austin
Sep.15 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has confirmed reports that Haas will try to end its performance crisis with a ‘B’ car at the team’s home US GP in Austin. After re-signed driver Nico Hulkenberg was scathing in his criticism of the 2023 single seater after a dismal performance at Monza, reports emerged that Red Bull’s dominant […]
Perez moves on amid ‘South American’ affair
Sep.15 (GMM) Sergio Perez says he was “not at all” offended by Red Bull boss Dr Helmut Marko’s allegedly “discriminatory” comments about him recently. Organisers of the Mexican GP were among those who hit out at Marko having linked Perez’s “South American” characteristics with his lack of focus in comparison to Dutchman Max Verstappen or […]
Verstappen sleeps well amid Hamilton ‘jealousy’
Sep.15 (GMM) A new round of barbs fired between Red Bull and Mercedes personnel has set the scene for this weekend’s Singapore GP. Hopes among Red Bull’s rivals are high that Max Verstappen will see his ten-race winning streak end on the hot and difficult street circuit that he has previously never won at. Even […]
Vettel ‘misses the competition’ of F1 racing
Sep.14 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has this week found himself at the centre of ongoing speculation that he might soon launch an effort to return to Formula 1. The quadruple world champion, newly retired in 2023, will be present at Suzuka next weekend for an undisclosed “project” – almost certainly related to environmentalism. But it has […]
Russia not severing ties with F1 governing body
Sep.14 (GMM) Russian motorsport is not going to sever relations with Formula 1’s governing body. That is the news from Russian billionaire Boris Rotenberg, a former judo partner of Russian president Vladimir Putin and co-owner of SMP Bank. Rotenberg also headed SMP Racing – the motorsport subsidiary that has even funded Russian drivers all the […]
Bottas says 2024 contract ‘already fixed’
Sep.14 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has rubbished any speculation that he might be pushed out of the Alfa Romeo-Sauber team for 2024. Following a period of rumours, Canal Plus and other specialist sources are now reporting that teammate Guanyu Zhou will get another one-year deal for next year. There had been speculation of trouble between the […]
Winning every race in 2023 now a ‘goal’ – Marko
Sep.14 (GMM) Red Bull Racing is so far ahead of the competition that a very bad weekend for Mercedes will mean the energy drink-owned team could actually clinch the constructors’ title in Singapore this weekend. It could also be Max Verstappen’s first ever win on the streets of the tiny city-state, and alleviate Dr Helmut […]
Ricciardo, in Singapore, has ‘seven fractures’ – Marko
Sep.14 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo actually has “seven fractures” in his broken hand, Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko has revealed. After crashing in practice at Zandvoort and sustaining the injury, Australian Ricciardo also missed the Italian GP whilst recovering from surgery. He will again be replaced by Liam Lawson this weekend in Singapore, but 33-year-old Ricciardo […]
Massa legal action only about ‘money’ – Ecclestone
Sep.13 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has hit out at Felipe Massa for daring to mount a legal challenge to the outcome of the 2008 world championship. Brazilian Massa, now retired from Formula 1 and 42, admits that it was former F1 CEO Ecclestone’s admission that key figures knew about the ‘crashgate’ scandal before the 2008 ended […]
‘Impossible’ to predict 2024 title challenge – Russell
Sep.13 (GMM) George Russell says it’s “impossible” to predict that Mercedes will be back in the fight for the title with Red Bull in 2024. While Red Bull has totally dominated in the ‘ground effect’ era that kicked off last season, Mercedes has struggled to recapture the glory of its own dominance between 2014 and […]
Alpine attitude made Alonso transition ‘easier’ – Krack
Sep.13 (GMM) Mike Krack says Alpine made it “easier” for Aston Martin to secure the services of two-time champion and Formula 1 legend Fernando Alonso this year. So far, the 42-year-old Spaniard’s latest team move has been an overwhelming success, although team boss Krack admits he initially had his doubts. “First of all, you have […]
Red Bull-Ford could power four F1 teams – Horner
Sep.13 (GMM) Christian Horner says it’s possible up to eight cars could eventually be powered by Red Bull-Ford’s own Formula 1 engine after 2026. He says the only initial plan is to supply the power units to Red Bull Racing and Alpha Tauri. “If our engine is attractive to customers, we would be open to […]
Vettel plays down chances of F1 return
Sep.13 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has played down reports that he might try to launch a return to the Formula 1 grid. The quadruple world champion called it a day at the end of last year, but Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko this week said of the 36-year-old: “I’m not sure he knows exactly what he […]
Schumacher still not ruling out 2024 F1 return
Sep.13 (GMM) Mick Schumacher admits he may need to revert to his ‘plan B’ for 2024, as his options to return to the Formula 1 grid dwindle. “Hopes dies last,” Mercedes’ 24-year-old reserve driver, who was dumped by Haas after two seasons, told the SID news agency. Toto Wolff, Schumacher’s current boss, blames Haas for […]
Marko to stay quiet on Perez affair in Singapore
Sep.13 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says he will be making no further comment about Sergio Perez’s cultural origins in Singapore this weekend. After Monza, Red Bull’s notorious team advisor caused a major stir by inaccurately referring to Mexican Perez as “South American” and declaring that it explains his lack of focus compared to Max Verstappen […]
Stroll doing ‘miserable job’ in 2023 – Villadelprat
Sep.12 (GMM) Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll should consider sacking his own son. That is the view of veteran former F1 mechanic, engineer and manager Joan Villadelprat, who thinks 24-year-old Lance Stroll is costing the team badly in the constructors’ championship. In the other car, two-time champion Fernando Alonso has secured a series of […]