Aug.23 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur says contract talks with Carlos Sainz are now looming. Like Charles Leclerc, Spaniard Sainz is under contract until the end of 2024. But unlike Monaco-born Leclerc, Sainz is open about being keen to ink a new deal as soon as possible. “That’s why we’re going to sit down with Carlos before […]
2024 deal still not ready for Hamilton
Aug.22 (GMM) Reports that Mercedes would finally announce a 2024 deal for Lewis Hamilton prior to this weekend’s Dutch GP were wide of the mark. It now seems clear that, despite the long delays whilst negotiating the new deal, there are still clear contractual stumbling blocks to jump. “I am not aware Lewis is having […]
Mercedes ‘heavily focused’ on 2024 car now
Aug.22 (GMM) Mercedes has followed hot on Ferrari’s heels by admitting the focus has now shifted to 2024. Red Bull is utterly dominating this year, prompting Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur to now admit that it is the 2024 car – not the current one – that is now in the wind tunnel. Mercedes’ chief technical […]
Alonso rejected Indy return because of the ‘risk’
Aug.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he decided to return to Formula 1 because Indycars are too dangerous. The Spaniard, now 42, stepped away from F1 after the McLaren-Honda debacle, but returned last year – and is now earning plaudits for being just as fast as ever whilst also having improved as a person. “The most […]
Vettel not in favour of petrol car bans
Aug.22 (GMM) Former F1 driver Sebastian Vettel says he is not in favour of banning petrol cars. Some of his fellow environmentalists are pushing hard for restrictions on things like plane and car travel in the name of climate change. Vettel, 35, agrees that some aspects of life must change going forwards. “Without wanting to […]
‘Own goal’ as Verstappen filmed speeding
Aug.22 (GMM) Max Verstappen has been captured on video speeding on the A8 motorway in France. The video, taken by the Red Bull driver’s friend Mark Cox, shows Verstappen at the wheel of the Adrian Newey-designed Valkyrie supercar doing 124kph in the 90kph speed zone. “Own goal for Max Verstappen,” reported Italy’s La Gazzetta dello […]
Teams should be banned for budget breach – Vasseur
Aug.22 (GMM) The next round of penalties for breaching Formula 1’s budget cap should be “much more drastic”. That is the view of Frederic Vasseur, amid rumours some top teams – again including Red Bull and Aston Martin – may once again be in trouble with the FIA for overspending. “I don’t want to make […]
Massa legal action a ‘disgrace’ – Popov
Aug.22 (GMM) Felipe Massa is preparing to “disgrace himself” by launching legal action against Formula 1. That is the view of well-known Russian F1 commentator Alexey Popov, after it emerged that Massa’s lawyers have now warned the sport and its governing FIA that he is pursuing them over the outcome of the 2008 world championship. […]
Sponsor interest in Haas ‘very high’ – Steiner
Aug.21 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says interest from potential Formula 1 sponsors is currently “very high”. The Haas boss insists that is despite the fact that television ratings, especially in the US, have taken a dive in the wake of the ‘Netflix boom’ and amid Max Verstappen’s dominance. “I think a lot of things are watched […]
Ferrari no longer working on 2023 car – boss
Aug.21 (GMM) Ferrari is no longer working on its 2023 in the wind tunnel, team boss Frederic Vasseur has revealed. The Maranello team is currently behind Red Bull, Mercedes and even Aston Martin in the constructors’ standings – meaning Vasseur is now looking at 2024 more than the rest of this season. “For this season […]
Ferrari drivers can ‘do better’ – Vasseur
Aug.21 (GMM) As uncertainty looms over Ferrari’s driver lineup beyond 2024, team boss Frederic Vasseur admits both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz can “do better”. It is believed that Leclerc is now close to signing up for 2025 and beyond, while Spaniard Sainz is pushing for contract talks as soon as possible. When asked by […]
Hulkenberg ‘ruining’ Magnussen’s F1 career
Aug.21 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg is in the process of “ruining” Kevin Magnussen’s Formula 1 career. That is the view of former F1 driver Marc Surer, referring to the way in which 35-year-old Hulkenberg has dominated Haas incumbent Magnussen in 2023. “Magnussen ruined Mick Schumacher’s F1 career and now Hulkenberg is ruining Magnussen’s career,” the Swiss […]
No Red Bull switch for Hamilton – Marko
Aug.21 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has effectively ruled out making a bid to secure Lewis Hamilton’s services for Red Bull. Just prior to the start of F1’s August break, there were reports that the seven time world champion’s new Mercedes contract was now ready to be announced. But Marko told motorsport-magazin.com that Hamilton, 38, was […]
Verstappen ‘likes’ F1 less than before
Aug.21 (GMM) Max Verstappen admits he doesn’t “like” Formula 1 as much as he once did. The Dutchman is cruising to his third consecutive drivers’ title, but he has recently been outspoken about rule changes that are designed to spice up the ‘show’. “Yes,” the Red Bull driver told De Telegraaf, “because I am concerned […]
Calls for 2008, 2021 F1 titles to be overturned
Aug.21 (GMM) Felipe Massa has taken the first official step in suing Formula 1 authorities over the 2008 world championship outcome. Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone triggered the action by admitting recently that the sport knew about the ‘crashgate’ scandal prior to the end of the season. That may have handed the title to Brazilian […]
Szafnauer to ‘lose weight’ after F1 sacking
Aug.9 (GMM) Otmar Szafnauer says losing weight is now at the top of his list after being sacked by Alpine. Although the Renault-owned team said at Spa-Francorchamps that his immediate departure was agreed mutually, former boss Szafnauer says it actually caught him by surprise. “I don’t know why this decision was made,” he told Servus […]
Binotto to Alpine ‘not a surprise’ – reports
Aug.9 (GMM) Rumours suggesting former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto is set to return to Formula 1 as Alpine’s new team principal appear to be true. That is the claim of French media sources including L’Auto Journal, as well as the respected Italian journalist Leo Turrini. L’Auto Journal said Italian Binotto, replaced at Ferrari this year […]
Marko slams Perez pay-cut rumours
Aug.9 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has rubbished wild reports that Sergio Perez is facing a pay-cut for 2024. With Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda waiting in the wings, it is rumoured that Perez’s big points gap to Max Verstappen may trigger a clause that sees the Mexican make much less money next season. “I don’t […]
Contract talks not even started – Leclerc
Aug.9 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has denied reports that he has already inked a contract extension that will see him stay at Ferrari at least until 2026. The rumours come despite parallel rumours that the 25-year-old Monegasque is losing motivation amid Ferrari’s ongoing performance and operational struggles. “I look for motivation in whatever situation I find […]
F1 considers DRS ban for qualifying
Aug.9 (GMM) Formula 1 is considering banning the use of car’s DRS rear wing systems during qualifying, according to Auto Motor und Sport. It would be a controversial move for the sport, as it may be interpreted as a way to soften Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s dominance, at least over a lap. “Max isn’t […]