Apr.4 (GMM) A raft of FIA member clubs and federations are urging F1’s governing body to fight fire with fire amid an obviously escalating conflict. Susie Wolff, wife of Mercedes boss Toto, recently filed a criminal complaint in France following accusations by controversial FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem of conflict of interest and the exchange […]
Pirelli Turkey wins tender to revive Istanbul F1 race
Apr.4 (GMM) Plans to revive the defunct Turkish GP at Istanbul have hit the accelerator. A month ago, Tass news agency reported that FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was in the country amid plans by local authorities to “hold a tender for the reconstruction and management of the Istanbul Park circuit”. The local Hurriyet newspaper […]
Rumours of joint F1-MotoGP race weekend gaining speed
Apr.4 (GMM) It is a “medium term” goal to host a unique and sensational joint race weekend involving both Formula 1 and its two-wheeled equivalent, MotoGP. Those rumours have been swirling for some time, but they’re now gaining extra steam following news that Liberty Media, F1’s commercial rights holder, now also owns MotoGP. But Carlos […]
Red Bull, Ferrari take updated cars to Japan
Apr.4 (GMM) Multiple F1 teams are set to introduce significant car upgrades this weekend at Suzuka – including top teams Red Bull and Ferrari. De Telegraaf, a prominent Dutch newspaper with sources close to the Max Verstappen camp, says the 2024 Red Bull will benefit from “a significant package of updates” in Japan. And Italy’s […]
Marko quiet over latest explosive Red Bull rumours
Apr.4 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has issued a firm “no comment” to the latest wild speculation surrounding the Red Bull power struggle. The public fire surrounding the Christian Horner scandal seemed to have been somewhat doused in the days after the Saudi Arabian GP – but whispers are still being made in the background. For […]
Le Mans now unlikely for Vettel in 2024
Apr.4 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s highly-anticipated return to top motorsport at Le Mans this year is now looking increasingly unlikely. The retired quadruple world champion is still being linked with a potential return to Formula 1 for 2025, given Lewis Hamilton’s shock switch from Mercedes to Ferrari. “I’m talking to Toto (Wolff),” Vettel, 36, is quoted […]
Verstappen lifted spirits by skiing in Japan – Marko
Apr.3 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko insists he has “no worries” about a recurrence of the brake problem that led to Max Verstappen’s ultra-rare retirement in Melbourne. The top Red Bull consultant says Verstappen, who nonetheless continues to lead the drivers’ standings but only by 5 points, has coped well with the setback. “Unfortunately, defects like […]
F1 CEO defends Sainz’s ousting at Ferrari
Apr.3 (GMM) F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has defended Ferrari’s decision to oust Melbourne winner Carlos Sainz in favour of Lewis Hamilton from 2025. Sainz, 29, is in the awkward situation of trying to find an alternate competitive cockpit for next year whilst arguably being in better form than both his continuing Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc […]
Wolff cancels plans to sit out Japanese GP
Apr.3 (GMM) Toto Wolff has cancelled his plans to skip this weekend’s Japanese GP. For the past few years, as the Formula 1 calendar swelled to bursting point, the Mercedes boss began to sit out certain long-haul events – like Suzuka and Qatar. But given the team’s failure to give George Russell and the Ferrari-bound […]
Antonelli’s F1 test program now in full swing
Apr.2 (GMM) Kimi Antonelli’s preparation for a future in Formula 1 is now in full swing. Before Easter, it was reported that Toto Wolff’s 17-year-old protege was about to get two days of running in a two-year old Mercedes at Imola. And now, La Repubblica says the young Italian will be in action at the […]
Dutch GP future beyond 2025 still clouded
Apr.2 (GMM) Despite the event’s popularity, and the obvious link with Dutchman Max Verstappen, the future of the Formula 1 race at Zandvoort remains clouded. Circuit boss Robert van Overdijk told local radio broadcaster ZFM Zandvoort that the circuit is being upgraded to catch up with modern F1 standards – particularly the narrow pitlane and […]
Mercedes to replace Hamilton brands with Adidas – report
Apr.2 (GMM) Adidas and the Mercedes team have so far declined to confirm or deny if they are teaming up in Formula 1. With Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari next year, Mercedes will lose two fashion brands and clothing suppliers – Puma and Tommy Hilfiger. Reports in the British media suggest Adidas, the iconic German […]
Perez’s ‘only weak point’ is qualifying – Marko
Apr.2 (GMM) Sergio Perez is closing on a new deal with Red Bull for 2025, according to Dr Helmut Marko. On the face of it, given Perez’s struggle to keep up with Max Verstappen, and rumours linking Verstappen with the exit door, Red Bull is very much a player in the 2025 driver ‘silly season’. […]
Liberty-owned MotoGP not merging with F1 – Maffei
Apr.2 (GMM) Greg Maffei, the CEO of Formula 1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media, has shot down rumours the category will be amalgamated with MotoGP. As F1 emerged from Easter, Liberty confirmed that it has acquired the series’ two-wheeled equivalent, following reports of a whopping 4-plus billion dollar deal. There had even been rumours that […]
Red Bull strife could help Ferrari win title – Arnoux
Apr.2 (GMM) The internal strife at Red Bull could help Ferrari to truly challenge for the 2024 world championships. That is the view of Rene Arnoux, who drove for the fabled Maranello based team in the 80s. The Frenchman, now 75, says Ferrari have enjoyed a strong start to the new season. “They are much […]
Audi waiting two more weeks for Sainz decision
Apr.2 (GMM) Audi, the new owner of Sauber, may only give Carlos Sainz a couple of weeks to accept an offer to spearhead the new works Formula 1 project. Sauber, in its current neon green ‘Stake’ and ‘Kick’ guise, is struggling not only for pace, but even to re-design a wheel flaw that is botching […]
Gasly may stick with Alpine for 2026 revolution
Apr.2 (GMM) Pierre Gasly could stick with Alpine for the future, despite the Renault works team’s current performance crisis. Currently, after a period of management and shareholding turmoil, the team emerged from the recent winter off-season with probably the slowest F1 car in 2024. Gasly admits it won’t be a quick fix. “I think we’re […]
Pirelli wins battle to retain 18-inch wheels
Apr.2 (GMM) Pirelli has won a quiet off-track battle to retain 18-inch wheels for Formula 1’s new regulations era beginning in 2026. There were moves to make the wheels smaller, therefore contributing to making today’s notably hefty cars lighter. Auto Motor und Sport, however, reports that the sport’s ongoing sole tyre supplier has succeeded in […]
Cooler head preparing Tsunoda for top F1 seat
Apr.2 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda says he is rising to the challenge of proving he is “mature” enough for a top Formula 1 seat. Although still just 23, the Japanese has been with Red Bull’s second F1 outfit for four consecutive seasons – but is now in doubt for the future as backer Honda prepares to […]
Horner scandal will be in next Netflix series
Apr.2 (GMM) The Christian Horner scandal, and the wider Red Bull power struggle that is still playing out, will be covered in the next edition of the Formula 1 Netflix series Drive To Survive. James Gay-Rees, the award-winning producer of many titles including the revolutionary but controversial F1 documentaries, says Horner blames him for the […]