Oct.11 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he will consult with Adrian Newey before deciding to end his Formula 1 racing career. The Spaniard admits he got immediately and personally involved earlier this year when Red Bull’s technical genius decided to seek a change of scene. “I have his phone number and texted him ‘What a surprise’,” […]
Cadillac, GM, still keen to enter F1
Oct.11 (GMM) General Motors, via its Cadillac brand, is still keen to enter Formula 1. In recent days, the motor racing world was shocked by the news that Michael Andretti is stepping back from his own racing empire, Andretti Global. Despite the FIA’s approval, Liberty Media-owned F1 rejected Andretti’s bid to expand its empire into […]
Toyota returns to Formula 1 with Haas
Oct.11 (GMM) Haas really is teaming up with carmaker giant Toyota in Formula 1. Some months ago, after Toyota officials were spotted in the small American team’s garage at Silverstone, experts concluded that the Japanese manufacturer was probably just looking for a new tenant for its Cologne wind tunnel. McLaren, Toyota’s former wind tunnel client, […]
‘Many reasons’ for collapse of Alpine F1 dream – Ocon
Oct.10 (GMM) Esteban Ocon insists he doesn’t want to make “headlines” by offering his real opinion about Alpine’s decline in Formula 1. But the French driver, who is switching to the small American outfit Haas for 2025 and beyond, admits that the way both his career with Renault’s works team is ending, and the end […]
Andretti exit could be linked with F1 political probe
Oct.10 (GMM) Some fascinating moves are afoot in the worlds of Formula 1 and United States politics. Earlier this year, Donald Trump caused a stir when he attended the grand prix in Miami – and now his 2024 election rival Kamala Harris has dipped a toe in the Formula 1 waters. During an interview on […]
Jos Verstappen comments ‘didn’t help’ in 2024 – Marko
Oct.10 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko is calling for unity amid a tumultuous period for Red Bull Racing. Although Max Verstappen is now more confident the team is starting to “understand” the reasons for its recent performance slump, the parallel turmoil has resulted in the loss of several high-profile figures. Max’s father Jos clearly blames team […]
Alonso disagrees with Russell over Pirelli
Oct.10 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has countered on-track rival George Russell’s criticism of the current tyres in Formula 1. Last month, Mercedes driver Russell slammed the inconsistency of the products supplied by F1’s sole tyre supplier Pirelli, claiming even the Italian company “doesn’t understand them”. But F1 veteran Alonso points out that while some teams are […]
Audi F1 must operate like an independent team – CEO
Oct.10 (GMM) Audi is setting up its involvement in Formula 1 so that the team in Hinwil retains independent decision-making control. With Renault’s rival team Alpine struggling on track and even scrapping its works F1 engine program for 2026, some analysts have blamed the overt and clunky involvement of the car manufacturing giant. So now, […]
Alpine door open for Sainz in 2026 – Briatore
Oct.10 (GMM) Flavio Briatore says he will keep the door open at Alpine for Carlos Sainz. With no vacancies at a top team for 2025, Ferrari refugee Sainz fielded offers from the likes of Audi, Alpine and others but ultimately was convinced by James Vowles’ vision for the development of the Williams team. The Williams […]
Audi could snap up ‘mature’ Colapinto for 2025 – Massa
Oct.10 (GMM) Felipe Massa thinks Audi might snap up impressive Formula 1 rookie Franco Colapinto for 2025. It’s the last real vacancy on next year’s grid, with Williams boss James Vowles revealing recently that he’s willing to loan the 21-year-old to Audi-owned Sauber next year and in 2026. “I don’t know what I’m going to […]
Audi not spooked by Renault’s F1 engine program axe
Oct.9 (GMM) Audi insists it is not at all spooked by fellow manufacturer Renault’s decision to scrap its 2026 works Formula 1 engine plan. While Renault is departing, almost certainly leaving its Alpine team with customer Mercedes power units from 2026, Audi has 100 percent acquired Sauber and will debut its brand new works Audi […]
Dudot hopes Renault serious about future F1 return
Oct.9 (GMM) Bernard Dudot, a name synonymous with Renault engines in Formula 1, hopes the French carmaker keeps the door open to a return to the category in the future. When Renault announced recently that it is completing scrapping development of its 2026 works engine for Alpine, it insisted that the news plans will involve […]
Potential race hosts queuing up to join F1 calendar
Oct.9 (GMM) Several potential hosts are champing at the bit to join Formula 1’s bustling and coveted race calendar. According to Tass news agency, the Thai government is hoping for a positive answer about a prospective future street race in Bangkok “by the end of the year”. Argentine tourism minister Daniel Scioli admitted recently that […]
Mateschitz death triggered Newey’s Red Bull exit – Marko
Oct.9 (GMM) The late 2022 death of Dietrich Mateschitz was the leading cause of Adrian Newey’s decision to leave Red Bull. That is the suspicion of team advisor Dr Helmut Marko, although he admits that other top departing names including Jonathan Wheatley and Will Courtenay were attracted by big-money offers and more powerful positions. “When […]
Lawson, Tsunoda in head-to-head to replace Perez
Oct.9 (GMM) The remainder of the 2024 season is shaping up as a head-to-head shootout to determine the identity of Max Verstappen’s teammate for 2025. After Singapore, Red Bull triggered a break clause in the underperforming Daniel Ricciardo’s contract at the junior squad RB so that Liam Lawson can step in. The conventional wisdom is […]
Montoya backs Bottas to keep Audi-Sauber seat in 2025
Oct.8 (GMM) Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has spoken out in support Valtteri Bottas’ quest to remain in the sport in 2025. Although plenty of alternatives, including Mick Schumacher, have been linked with the final real vacancy on next year’s grid, it was strongly rumoured at the Singapore GP that the Audi-owned team […]
Suzuka prepares for future as Osaka eyes rival F1 bid
Oct.8 (GMM) Japanese GP host Suzuka is sparing no effort in looking to safeguard the future of its Formula 1 race. As-web.jp, a specialist Japanese motor racing portal, noticed that Honda-owned Suzuka’s president Tsuyoshi Saito attended the Italian GP at Monza last month. When asked about it, Saito answered: “We are considering what improvements are […]
Renault F1 staff can depart without ‘gardening leave’
Oct.8 (GMM) Renault will not block disaffected engine staff at Viry-Chatillon from immediately signing up with another Formula 1 team. Group CEO Luca de Meo told L’Equipe sports newspaper that he is “deeply sorry” to staff who are angry and disappointed about the decision to scrap Alpine’s works engine program. He says Viry will be […]
Ferrari ‘short sighted’ to miss out on Newey
Oct.8 (GMM) 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell thinks Ferrari was “short sighted” to not chase Adrian Newey more stridently. Newey, who Mansell suspects will get more “energy” for his calling as a Formula 1 designer by leaving Red Bull, ultimately opted to move to Aston Martin from 2025. But specialist media sources in Italy note […]
Hamilton ‘depression’ reveals key Verstappen difference
Oct.7 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s recent interview with the Sunday Times newspaper reveals a key difference between him and drivers like Max Verstappen. That’s the view of well-known former Dutch racing driver and two-time Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, referring to Hamilton’s admission that he has “struggled with mental health through my life”. “Depression,” the seven […]