Jan.18 (GMM) It is “not realistic” for Williams to target a major step forward in 2024, team boss James Vowles insists. That is despite the fact that the improving team, now with Toto Wolff’s former right-hand-man at Mercedes in charge, has been permitted to spend extra millions outside the budget cap to improve infrastructure. Williams […]
Leclerc and Norris have ‘weaknesses’ – Marko
Jan.17 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says he is not concerned that Max Verstappen’s rivals may soon be nipping at the heels of the dominant Red Bull champion. McLaren boss Zak Brown admitted this week that he is keen to secure Lando Norris’ services for the longer term, while former F1 personality Eddie Jordan thinks Charles […]
F1 will miss ‘popular’ and ‘sincere’ Steiner – Wolff
Jan.17 (GMM) Gunther Steiner’s sacking is a “loss” for Formula 1, according to rival team boss Toto Wolff. Steiner has headed the small American team for its entire decade-long history, but he rose to particular popularity as his unique personality shone in the Netflix series Drive to Survive. Team owner Gene Haas, however, ousted Steiner […]
McLaren hits out at Red Bull-Alpha Tauri alliance
Jan.17 (GMM) Zak Brown admits he is among those who are “concerned” about the ever-closer relationship between Red Bull’s two Formula 1 teams. We reported just before Christmas that rival teams may even begin to push for the energy drink brand to sell Alpha Tauri, as Red Bull seeks greater synergies between its two outfits. […]
Wolff sides with Verstappen over F1 ‘show’
Jan.17 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he agrees with Formula 1 rival Max Verstappen that the sport is pushing the limits in terms of the sport’s ‘show’ factors. Verstappen, who is dominating the sport with Red Bull, has voiced his opposition to show-business elements like sprint races and Las Vegas-style off-track events. “The way I see […]
Madrid poised to announce F1 race deal
Jan.17 (GMM) A new grand prix in Madrid is set to be officially announced in less than a week’s time. It has been known for some time that plans are well advanced to stage a semi-urban Formula 1 race around the Ifema event facilities in the Spanish capital. Europa Press is now reporting that Isabel […]
F1 upgrades underway at cramped Zandvoort
Jan.17 (GMM) Renovations at Dutch GP venue Zandvoort are taking place in the off-season period. The popular track, with a contract only until 2025, was often cited as one reason why Formula 1 may be opposed to allowing Andretti to become the eleventh team – a lack of garages. But it now emerges that not […]
Schumacher could attend daughter’s 2024 wedding
Jan.17 (GMM) Michael Schumacher could be well enough to attend the wedding of his eldest child Gina-Maria later in 2024. In the closing days of 2023, the sad ten-year anniversary of the seven time world champion’s last public outing – his skiing accident in the French Alps – passed. “I miss my Michael from back […]
McLaren wants to lock in new F1 driver deals
Jan.17 (GMM) The next step McLaren needs to take towards beating Red Bull is to lock in talented driving duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the future, according to CEO Zak Brown. The Woking based team has now unveiled its new car livery for 2024, warning that when the new car is ready to […]
Mekies shopping for Ferrari F1 talent – report
Jan.16 (GMM) There are fears at Ferrari that Laurent Mekies is now instigating an exodus of staff to the similarly Italian-based Alpha Tauri team. Mekies, who had previously worked at Red Bull’s second Formula 1 team, was re-poached by Alpha Tauri to replace its retiring boss Franz Tost for 2024. The 46-year-old Frenchman had risen […]
No more trips to Japan for Honda in 2024, says Marko
Jan.16 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko admits Red Bull’s relationship with engine supplier Honda will change yet again in 2024. It was already known that the partnership is ending altogether at the end of 2025, when the Japanese engine manufacturer will switch allegiances to Aston Martin. Red Bull is busily setting up its own engine operations […]
‘Superstar’ status led to Steiner’s demise
Jan.16 (GMM) Gunther Steiner admits his starring role in the official Formula 1 Netflix series may have “played a role” in his ousting as Haas team boss. Although the small Gene Haas-owned team finished dead last with stagnated development in 2023, 58-year-old Steiner was a highly popular figure in ‘Drive to Survive’ thanks to his […]
F1 driver influence down to 10 percent – Merzario
Jan.16 (GMM) The influence of the driver in Formula 1 is down to a paltry 10 percent. That is the lament of former F1 driver Arturo Merzario, who is perhaps best known for his Marlboro cowboy hat and having pulled Niki Lauda from his fiery Ferrari in 1976. Now 80, the Italian was asked by […]
Wife to go ‘all the way’ in FIA lawsuit – Wolff
Jan.16 (GMM) Toto Wolff and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem appear to have kicked off the new year by renewing their respective hostilities. As 2023 wound down, Mercedes boss Wolff and his wife Susie were enraged by a quickly-aborted FIA investigation into alleged conflict of interest and the exchange of confidential information. Wolff has now […]
Ocon worried new Alpine may be ‘slow’
Jan.16 (GMM) Esteban Ocon may be worried Alpine’s new car for 2024 is “a little slow”. That is the worrying news emerging from the embattled Enstone and Viry-based team, off the back of a tumultuous 2023 season and reports the new car has failed a mandatory FIA crash test. Renault-linked Alpine, embroiled in management, personnel […]
Wolff inks new deal to stay Mercedes boss
Jan.16 (GMM) Toto Wolff will remain in charge of the Mercedes team he co-owns until at least the end of 2026. Bild newspaper, the specialist Auto Motor und Sport and Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport say the 52-year-old Austrian, with a one-third share of the Formula 1 team, has signed a new contract. “I’m staying […]
Father says Sainz still in Ferrari contract talks
Jan.15 (GMM) Carlos Sainz’s famous father says the Ferrari driver’s current negotiations with the Maranello team are set to continue. That is despite a worrying development early in 2024 – the move of Sainz’s personal sponsor Estrella Galicia, a Spanish beer brand, from Ferrari to McLaren. Spanish sources, however, insist that the brand is only […]
F1 names appear on Jeffrey Epstein associate list
Jan.15 (GMM) A plethora of well-known Formula 1 names have appeared on a list linked with convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 in extremely controversial circumstances involving speculation he was the figurehead of an elite sex trafficking network, has been back in the news recently. Newly-released legal documents […]
Schumacher supports German farmer protests
Jan.15 (GMM) Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher is offering his support to giant nationwide anti-government protests led by German farmers. The farmers, set to flock to Brandenburg Gate in Germany on Monday, are furious at the government’s plans to raise farming taxes and end subsidies. “I wish the farmers much success,” Schumacher said. “I hope […]
New contract means Marko staying in F1
Jan.15 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has inked a new deal with the owner of Red Bull’s two Formula 1 teams. Although Max Verstappen had offered his clear support, there had been speculation last year that Marko, 80, was falling out with Christian Horner and may see his involvement come to an end. But Salzburger Nachrichten […]