Jan.26 (GMM) Spectators have been banned from being allowed on Melbourne’s Formula 1 circuit after the chequered flag. In 2023, a worrying track invasion before the cars had even crossed the finish line at the end of the Australian GP occurred at Albert Park, sparking an FIA investigation. The governing body chastised the race organisers […]
Faenza-based F1 team company name now ‘Racing Bulls’
Jan.26 (GMM) ‘Racing Bulls’ may indeed be how Formula 1 fans come to refer to Red Bull’s Faenza based team. Fans and journalists this week slammed the declared official new name for the re-branded Alpha Tauri outfit – Visa Cash App RB. Even Dr Helmut Marko admitted it was a “tongue twister”, with rumours suggesting […]
Potential African GP host emerges in Zanzibar
Jan.26 (GMM) A solution to the notable absence of an African GP may be emerging in the shape of Zanzibar – an archipelago off the coast of the African mainland. It is believed that both Liberty Media and the FIA are united when it comes to acknowledging that the sport needs a race in Africa. […]
Newey may assume non-F1 Red Bull role ‘in medium term’
Jan.26 (GMM) Adrian Newey might be shuffled into a non-Formula 1 role at Red Bull Racing, according to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. Correspondent Michael Schmidt explains that the reason is because of the budget cap, as the team seeks a way to make the most of the budget cap rules. “The large teams continue […]
Madrid layout to have F1’s most extreme banking
Jan.26 (GMM) Madrid’s new Formula 1 circuit will include the most steeply banked corner on the entire calendar. The new ten-year race deal from 2026 was announced this week, with officials insisting that it will not cost the taxpayer a cent – throwing a big dark cloud over the future of the existing Spanish GP […]
Questions arise over length of Leclerc’s new contract
Jan.26 (GMM) Authoritative Italian media sources are unsure as to the length of Charles Leclerc’s newly-announced new Formula 1 contract with Ferrari. The press release declared that the highly-rated 26-year-old is now staying on “beyond the 2024 season”, while Leclerc was quoted as saying he will keep driving in red “for several more seasons to […]
Losing Spanish GP name ‘not important’ to Barcelona
Jan.25 (GMM) A Barcelona politician is “convinced” that a deal will be done to keep the Circuit de Catalunya on the Formula 1 calendar. It is already known, however, that a glitzy new city race in Madrid will take over the Spanish GP moniker from 2026 – although F1 boss Stefano Domenicali has not ruled […]
Relative left show because of secret ‘Schumi clause’
Jan.25 (GMM) Rumours are swirling that the sudden departure from a reality TV show in Germany was connected with Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher. Cora Schumacher, the ex-wife of Michael’s brother Ralf, was briefly on the German version of the well known show ‘I’m a celebrity – Get me out of here!’ Called ‘Ich bin […]
Hamilton not ruling out future F1 comeback
Jan.25 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton, who has just turned 39, is not ruling out retirement from Formula 1 in the coming years – but could also imagine a “sabbatical” or comeback. The seven time world champion’s long and speculation-filled contract negotiations last year ultimately ended with just a two-year extension – taking him only to the […]
Mercedes ‘at a crossroads’ in 2024 – Hakkinen
Jan.25 (GMM) Mercedes, the once-dominant Formula 1 team, is at a “crossroads” according to former two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen. The Finn, now 55, admits that Red Bull and Max Verstappen are heading into the new season as the overwhelming favourites for a fourth consecutive triumph – although he admits he has “hope”. “The history […]
F1 media mocks Alpha Tauri’s ‘horrible’ new team name
Jan.25 (GMM) Fans and journalists have reacted with horror and amusement as the new official name for Red Bull’s Alpha Tauri team was confirmed on Wednesday. It had been rumoured that the arrival of sponsors Visa and Cash App would be combined with the ‘Racing Bulls’ moniker – perhaps shortened to ‘RB’. But although racingbulls.com […]
F1 upgrade works in Hungary ‘in full swing’
Jan.24 (GMM) The Hungaroring is making good on its promise to upgrade the almost 40-year-old Formula 1 circuit in order to secure Hungary’s place on the calendar. Early last year, with the existing contract set to run out in 2027, track boss Zsolt Gyulay admitted that the circuit facilities “no longer meet the requirements of […]
Schumacher recommends ex-F1 name for top Haas role
Jan.24 (GMM) Out-of-work F1 team boss Otmar Szafnauer would make a good addition to the embattled Haas team. That is the view of Ralf Schumacher, who was a fierce critic of the way the newly-sacked Gunther Steiner ran Haas – especially his handling of Mick Schumacher’s stint at the team. However, Schumacher thinks the popular […]
Joint F1-MotoGP race weekend idea still alive
Jan.24 (GMM) Formula 1 and MotoGP are still open to the sensational idea of staging a joint round of their respective world championships. Last year, MotoGP’s long-time boss Carmelo Ezpeleta caused a stir when he said he had spoken to his F1 counterpart Stefano Domenicali about organising “an F1 and motorcycling championship (round) on the […]
Barcelona willing to spend more to save F1 race
Jan.24 (GMM) Barcelona’s city council is open to spending more money if it rescues the embattled Spanish GP. As was predicted, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali on Tuesday was in the Spanish capital to announce a ten-year deal for an annual Formula 1 race in the city of Madrid. The deal starts in 2026 – the […]
Father urges Sainz to consider Audi F1 switch
Jan.23 (GMM) Carlos Sainz’s famous father says he will sit down with the Ferrari driver to discuss the benefits of potentially joining the Audi family. Sainz, 29, was at the finish line on the final stage of the Dakar rally last weekend, where his father and namesake won the event for the fourth time. 61-year-old […]
Madrid GP not death knell for Barcelona – president
Jan.23 (GMM) Barcelona is determined to stay on the Formula 1 calendar, even if a second grand prix in Spain is set to be imminently announced for Madrid. Photos of the stage for the announcement of a Madrid GP are now circulating online ahead of Tuesday’s event, which will be attended by F1 CEO Stefano […]
Albers tips Lawson for shock 2024 F1 seat
Jan.23 (GMM) Liam Lawson should have been promoted to a full-time Formula 1 seat for 2024, according to former F1 driver Christijan Albers. Last year, Red Bull junior Lawson got his big chance when he was called up to replace the injured Daniel Ricciardo at Alpha Tauri. Team owner Red Bull, however, chose to keep […]
Palou had no interest in McLaren F1 reserve role
Jan.23 (GMM) Alex Palou says he pulled the pin on his move to McLaren because he had no interest sitting on the reserve bench in Formula 1. The 26-year-old Spaniard, who has won two of the last three Indycar championships, is still embroiled in legal action after reneging on a deal to switch from Chip […]
Haas’ new boss admits 2024 car likely to be slowest
Jan.23 (GMM) Haas’ new boss says he wants to pull the struggling American team off the bottom of the constructors’ world championship this year. Team owner Gene Haas shocked the Formula 1 world recently after deciding to sack the popular long-time team principal Gunther Steiner, declaring that finishing dead last in 2023 was “embarrassing”. The […]