Nov.23 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas appears poised to return to Mercedes next year. Having lost his Audi-owned Sauber seat for 2025, the former 10-time Mercedes race winner has been linked not only with a reserve seat, but also to serve as an advisor to Toto Wolff. “There is a strong desire to get Bottas back on […]
Nyck de Vries could be new McLaren reserve
Nov.23 (GMM) Nyck de Vries could soon be back in the Formula 1 paddock. Although initially affiliated with McLaren since childhood, the Dutchman got his break in 2022 when serving as Mercedes’ reserve driver – when he substituted for the ill Alex Albon at Monza and impressed. Red Bull snapped him up for its junior […]
Red Bull rues lack of low-downforce wing in Vegas
Nov.23 (GMM) Red Bull’s slogan is “gives you wings”, but the Formula 1 team admits it wishes it had a different rear wing design in the luggage this weekend. All Max Verstappen has to do to secure his fourth consecutive drivers’ title in Las Vegas is prevent McLaren’s Lando Norris from closing the gap by […]
Perez led to constructors’ championship loss – Marko
Nov.23 (GMM) Carlos Sainz admits he does not fit the “profile” of what Red Bull is looking for to be Max Verstappen’s teammate. Although Sergio Perez insists the team will respect his 2025 contract, team boss Christian Horner and advisor Dr Helmut Marko are now regularly hinting that the Mexican’s days at Red Bull are […]
F1 drivers notice ‘smell of weed’ in Las Vegas
Nov.23 (GMM) Franco Colapinto joked in Las Vegas that he hopes he is not subject to anti-doping tests this weekend. Red Bull driver Sergio Perez was the first in the paddock late on Thursday to point out that a conspicuous smell is lingering in the air in ‘Sin City’. “What is very noticeable around the […]
More British pundits face axe over bias accusations
Nov.22 (GMM) More well-known British pundits could also leave Sky’s English-language coverage of Formula 1. 1996 world champion Damon Hill, a member of the Sky punditry team for over a decade, is leaving the broadcaster. It follows his recent harsh assessment of Max Verstappen’s driving. “I think that he (Verstappen) is using fear and intimidation,” […]
Boss plays down rumours about Dutch GP future
Nov.22 (GMM) Zandvoort circuit boss Robert van Overdijk has played down rumours about the future of the Dutch GP. After Monaco’s new annual race deal with Formula 1 was recently extended through 2031, Automobile Club de Monaco boss Michel Boeri admitted to relief. “Compared to other European grands prix, we have a few small advantages, […]
Verstappen backs away from Vegas, F1 launch criticisms
Nov.22 (GMM) Max Verstappen has backed away from recent criticisms aimed at Formula 1 and the F1-promoted Las Vegas GP. Last year, the Red Bull driver was scathing of the new Las Vegas event, describing it as “99 percent show, 1 percent sporting event”. However, he told reporters on Wednesday that he now has a […]
FIA clampdowns could benefit Red Bull
Nov.22 (GMM) Max Verstappen and team advisor Dr Helmut Marko suggest Red Bull will enjoy a more level playing field this weekend in Las Vegas. Just days ago, upon Red Bull’s urging, the FIA told teams that one particular protective solution to the ‘skid blocks’ underneath some 2024 cars – including Ferrari and Mercedes – […]
Stroll not proud of beating Jacques Villeneuve’s record
Nov.22 (GMM) Lance Stroll insists he had “no idea” he has become the most experienced Canadian driver in Formula 1 history. The Aston Martin driver told Le Journal de Montreal newspaper in Las Vegas that his 166th grand prix last time out in Brazil moved him beyond 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve’s career tally. “I […]
Father’s comments about Ralf Schumacher ‘a mistake’ – Perez
Nov.22 (GMM) Sergio Perez has distanced himself from his father’s comments about former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher. In a tirade against the Red Bull driver’s critics, Mexican politician Antonio Perez Garibay aimed fire at German pundit Schumacher – mocking his newly-announced sexuality and wondering if he is a “journalist, a woman or a man”. […]
Hamilton admits to Mercedes quit thoughts after Brazil
Nov.22 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton admits he really did think about quitting Mercedes immediately on the slowing-down lap after the recent Brazilian GP. Fans were alarmed when they heard the Ferrari-bound-in-2025 driver tell his team on the radio: “If this is the last time that I get to perform, it’s a shame it wasn’t great, but […]
2025 reserve roles likely for Bottas, Zhou
Nov.22 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou have suggested they are not giving up on Formula 1, despite losing their race seats for 2025. The pair, currently teammates at Audi-owned Sauber, will be replaced by Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto next year. “At least I know now,” 10-time grand prix winner Bottas, 34, said […]
FIA bans Ferrari, Mercedes ‘skid block’ protections
Nov.21 (GMM) Formula 1 has surprised the teams by banning protective elements to the so-called ‘skid blocks’ underneath the 2024-spec cars. In the new ground effect area, running as close to the track as possible is an advantage – but the risk is that the floor will wear down so much that it becomes illegal. […]
Shwartzman no longer a Russian driver – Mazepin
Nov.21 (GMM) Robert Shwartzman is no longer a Russian driver, according to former Haas racer Nikita Mazepin. At the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Mazepin and his billionaire father’s brand Uralkali were expelled from Haas and essentially banned from Formula 1. However, as fellow Russian Shwartzman, who like Mazepin is 25, was actually born in […]
‘No answer’ yet to F1 drivers’ letter to FIA – Leclerc
Nov.21 (GMM) The FIA is yet to respond to the letter put out by the Formula 1 drivers’ union. Earlier in November, angry about Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s clampdown on bad language, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association published a statement urging the FIA president to “also consider his own tone and language”. “Our members are adults,” […]
Germany lacks will for Formula 1 race – Wolff
Nov.21 (GMM) Germany lacks the will to host a Formula 1 race, according to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. Although the grand prix in neighbouring Austria, Wolff’s native country, is promoted by Red Bull, the 52-year-old said the country fully supports the race. “We are high-tech, we are innovation, and we have the support of countless […]
Wolff admits Hamilton’s exit partly a relief
Nov.21 (GMM) Toto Wolff has hit reverse gear after suggesting Lewis Hamilton could be nearing his “expiration date”. The Mercedes boss had suggested the 39-year-old seven time world champion did him a favour by switching to Ferrari for 2025 and beyond. “There is a reason why we only signed a one-plus-one-year contract,” said Wolff. “We […]
Local business owners slam F1, Las Vegas GP
Nov.21 (GMM) As the second F1-promoted Las Vegas GP looms, two local business owners have blasted the event, the sport, and its authorities. Red Bull team advisor Dr Helmut Marko this week also admitted he’s not a fan, denouncing it as “not that great” and telling Osterreich: “It doesn’t have much support from the local […]
‘News is coming’ about Andretti-Cadillac’s F1 bid
Nov.21 (GMM) Andretti-Cadillac appears to be inching ever closer to its Formula 1 aspirations. FBI officials are expected to be in Las Vegas this weekend as part of US government probes into why Andretti’s FIA-approved team entry was rejected by Liberty Media. Insiders have also linked the stepping down of Liberty CEO Greg Maffei, who […]