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 […]
Retired Tost poised for new F1 role
Jan.15 (GMM) Franz Tost is poised to remain connected to Formula 1 as a consultant to Red Bull’s two teams. At 67, the Austrian has been replaced as Alpha Tauri’s long-time team principal by new management duo Laurent Mekies and Peter Bayer. But Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s top Formula 1 consultant, wants to keep […]
Hamilton’s title-winning days over – Irvine
Jan.15 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s days at the very top of Formula 1 are “over”, according to former grand prix driver Eddie Irvine. The 58-year-old Ulsterman, best known for serving as Michael Schumacher’s teammate at Ferrari, thinks the Max Verstappen and Red Bull era is only just beginning. “The era of success for Hamilton and Mercedes […]
‘Not a minute to waste’ in Monza F1 talks – CEO
Jan.15 (GMM) Monza doesn’t have “a single minute to waste” as it bids to secure its historic place on the Formula 1 calendar. That is the frank claim of F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, as Corriere della Sera and other Italian publications reveal that urgent upgrade works have now kicked off at the Italian GP venue. […]
Steiner exit could open door for Andretti
Jan.15 (GMM) Gunther Steiner’s axing at Haas has triggered speculation Andretti-Cadillac may acquire the embattled American Formula 1 team. “Is Gene Haas fed up with F1?” reads the headline at Italy’s Autosprint. Steiner was told by the team’s billionaire owner between Christmas and New Year that his contract was not being extended, after Haas finished […]
Ecclestone gives F1 ‘big slap’ for Christmas
Dec.22 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has given a “big slap” to the Formula 1 world with his traditional Christmas card for 2023. Every year, the former F1 supremo entertains those on his Christmas card list with a humorous take on the year’s biggest themes and stories. A year ago, the caption was “Just organising the plotting”, […]
Verstappen’s marketing team grows to 35 people
Dec.22 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s personal marketing team has swollen to no fewer than 35 people – and they are even beginning to look beyond his Formula 1 career. Verstappen.com is headed by its CEO Nico de Jong out of an impressive facility in Limburg, and he told the Dutch magazine Formule 1 that he intends […]
Ferrari drops Leclerc’s younger brother
Dec.22 (GMM) There is bittersweet news for the Leclerc family just ahead of Christmas. Just as Ferrari reportedly prepares to offer Charles Leclerc a long and lucrative new Formula 1 contract, the Maranello marque has dropped his younger brother from the driver development academy. “We would like to thank Arthur Leclerc as he moves on,” […]