Oct.1 (GMM) “The axe has fallen” on French-made engines in Formula 1. That’s the reaction of the country’s biggest and most influential sports publication, L’Equipe, as the Renault Group confirms that operations at Viry-Chatillon will no longer focus on F1 power unit manufacturing. “Formula 1 activities at Viry, excluding the development of a new engine, […]
Michael Andretti steps aside at racing empire
Sep.30 (GMM) Michael Andretti has ceded control of his motor racing empire, Andretti Global. Famed for its involvement and successes in mainly US-based series including Indycar, Andretti applied to be granted entry to Formula 1 early in 2022, simultaneously ramping up its operations and preparations. Early this year, despite FIA approval, Liberty Media-owned Formula 1 […]
‘Time will tell’ about Bottas news, says Mick Schumacher
Sep.30 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is not yet admitting that his Formula 1 comeback plans for 2025 have failed. It is widely believed that Audi-owned Sauber, now with the last remaining vacancy on next year’s grid, has decided to keep Valtteri Bottas on board at least for one more year. “You can understand Audi’s position,” former […]
Mazepin has ‘plans’ to return to Europe
Sep.30 (GMM) Axed former Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin has “plans”, now that the door to Europe has been re-opened to him. Two weeks ago, sanctions imposed on the 25-year-old due to his father’s links to Vladimir Putin were finally lifted, meaning the Russian can now freely travel to Europe. Tass news agency says Switzerland […]
Schumacher was ‘very likely’ at daughter’s wedding
Sep.30 (GMM) Michael Schumacher was “very possibly” present for the wedding of his daughter Gina-Maria in Mallorca at the weekend. A few years ago, Schumacher’s wife Corinna bought the property on the Mediterranean island formerly belonging to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez – amid rumours doctors advised that the warmer weather would help the stricken […]
Red Bull to offer Ricciardo non-driving F1 job
Sep.30 (GMM) Red Bull’s Formula 1 empire is offering Daniel Ricciardo a new job, Dr Helmut Marko has confirmed. Singapore was the 35-year-old Australian’s last-ever Formula 1 race, replaced by young New Zealander Liam Lawson at the energy drink company’s second team RB. Ricciardo admitted in Singapore that he is not interested in Indycar as […]
Lawson knew about replacing Ricciardo ‘weeks’ ago
Sep.30 (GMM) Liam Lawson admits he knew weeks before the rest of the world that Daniel Ricciardo would be ousted after the Singapore GP. The 22-year-old rookie New Zealander will be in Ricciardo’s RB cockpit from Austin onwards, telling local NZME radio that it’s a “very cool feeling”. But he has had plenty of time […]
McLaren turns spotlight on F1 rivals’ rear wings
Sep.27 (GMM) McLaren is turning its attention to technical elements of rival Formula 1 teams, in the wake of the ‘mini DRS’ controversy of Baku and Singapore. Images of the ingenious way the papaya-coloured 2024 car’s rear wing opened up drag-shedding gaps at the extreme ends caused a furore after the Azerbaijan GP. Backed unofficially […]
Steiner wins a round in Haas F1 legal battle
Sep.27 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has won a round in his battle with his former F1 employer Haas. After he was axed as long-time team boss ahead of the 2024 season, Steiner instigated legal action against Gene Haas’ small American team, claiming various breaches of his contractual agreement. But Haas hit back, filing a lawsuit in […]
Renault edging towards final F1 engine axe decision
Sep.27 (GMM) The midnight hour is approaching for Renault’s days as a works engine manufacturer in Formula 1. Since CEO Luca de Meo revealed that the program could be scrapped and replaced by customer Mercedes engines for the Alpine team, staff at Renault’s Viry-Chatillon facility have been up in arms. Backed by the union, the […]
Marko defends Red Bull over Ricciardo axe timing
Sep.27 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo’s unceremonious ousting from Formula 1 is all about the future of Red Bull, team consultant Dr Helmut Marko insists. The strong and raging rumours of Singapore have now become reality, as the energy drink-owned F1 concern finally admitted that Ricciardo, 35, will not be returning to his RB cockpit with immediate […]
‘Time’ a factor for elusive third title, Alonso admits
Sep.26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso admits he may run out of time to secure his long-elusive third world championship. The Spaniard admits he was so keen for Adrian Newey to sign for Aston Martin that he texted the 65-year-old, met with him, and even offered a chunk of his sizeable salary to potentially increase team owner […]
Spokesman plays down fears about Madrid GP
Sep.26 (GMM) A government spokesman in Madrid has played down new fears about the health of the new Formula 1 project. The Spanish capital, via its events subsidiary Ifema, has agreed a long-term deal with F1 to host a brand new street race from 2026 – even taking over the Spanish GP title from the […]
‘No problem’ with Ricciardo’s fastest lap – Wolff
Sep.26 (GMM) Toto Wolff does not agree with his colleagues at McLaren that Red Bull pushed the limits of sporting ethics in Singapore. Spun as a parting gift to Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing’s sister team RB asked the Australian to pit late in the race in order to charge for the fastest overall race […]
Ferrari should have won Singapore GP – Alonso
Sep.26 (GMM) Ferrari utterly failed to deliver in Singapore, according to former team driver Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard, who now races for Aston Martin, predicted that Ferrari would be the pacesetter under the city-state’s floodlights. Carlos Sainz, however, crashed out of Q3, while Charles Leclerc had his final qualifying time deleted for track limits. “I […]
Haas eyeing $100m windfall for 2024 F1 progress
Sep.26 (GMM) Haas is making impressive steps forward in its new post-Gunther Steiner era. After Steiner’s long reign, Ayao Komatsu took over at the helm of the small American team in 2024 – and already the much better results are flooding in. “Nico (Hulkenberg)’s P6 on the grid (in Singapore), just six tenths from pole […]
Logan Sargeant to test Indycar in November
Sep.25 (GMM) Logan Sargeant could kick-start his stalled motor racing career in Indycar. The 23-year-old American’s 37-grand prix career in Formula 1 ended after the Dutch GP one month ago, when Williams replaced him with Franco Colapinto. The Meyer Shank Indycar outfit announced this week that Sargeant will test for the team at the private […]
Schumacher likely to remain Mercedes F1 reserve
Sep.25 (GMM) Mick Schumacher’s ‘plan B’ appears to be remaining on the sidelines in Formula 1 as a reserve driver. As he served as Mercedes’ reserve in Singapore, the German admitted his ‘plan A’ is to be signed as Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate at Audi-owned Sauber next year. However, the Swiss-German collaboration looks set to retain […]
Aston Martin must improve before Newey arrives – Alonso
Sep.25 (GMM) Aston Martin must up its game next year, the team’s lead driver Fernando Alonso insists. The Spaniard and former two-time champion enjoyed a series of podiums in his green car last year, but Aston Martin’s progress subsequently stalled. That is despite the fact that Red Bull technical genius Adrian Newey has been successfully […]
Disillusioned Verstappen really might quit F1
Sep.25 (GMM) Max Verstappen really might follow through on his threat and quit Formula 1 prematurely, according to former grand prix winner Ralf Schumacher. The triple world champion was furious with his ‘F-word’ penalty in Singapore last weekend, subsequently almost completely refusing to speak in FIA-sanctioned press conferences and even threatening to retire early. However, […]