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 […]
Leclerc happy with teammate Sainz’s ‘work ethic’
Aug.8 (GMM) Charles Leclerc does not sound keen to lose his current Ferrari teammate. Rumours in Italy over the past several days have indicated that Leclerc, whose current contract runs out in 2024, has now signed up for at least 2025 and 2026. However, the rumours swirling around Sainz – with a similarly-expiring deal – […]
‘Eight’ F1 drivers would win with Max’s car – Montoya
Aug.8 (GMM) There are “seven or eight drivers” who could also win the world championship at the wheel of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. That is the view of former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who was asked about Dutchman Verstappen’s utter dominance this year – including over his own teammate Sergio Perez. “In Belgium […]
Red Bull’s Marko tells Andretti to ‘buy Alpine’
Aug.7 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko thinks he has the ideal solution for Formula 1’s Andretti-Cadillac dilemma. On the one hand, an American team with the involvement of a new car manufacturer appears to be ideal for Formula 1 at present. But on the other hand, while the FIA appears to want to give Andretti-Cadillac the […]
Alonso admits win in 2023 may be ‘impossible’
Aug.7 (GMM) Fernando Alonso admits that his hopes of securing his 33th career victory this year – his first in a full decade – are slipping away. Aston Martin’s competitiveness has taken a slide at recent grands prix, with team boss Mike Krack admitting recent car upgrades had upset progress. “We’re constantly pushing development,” Krack […]
Andretti saga outcome expected ‘in September’
Aug.7 (GMM) The saga of whether Andretti-Cadillac will be welcomed to the Formula 1 grid is still the subject of a tug-of-war between the sport’s two separate authorities. Originally, the FIA set a late June deadline for an announcement about whether up to two new teams will be given the green light for 2025 or […]
Rumours – Leclerc signs with Ferrari, Sainz with Audi
Aug.7 (GMM) Charles Leclerc looks set to stay at Ferrari beyond his 2024 contract – but there is an even bigger question mark over the future of his teammate. Russian F1 commentator Alexey Popov said on his podcast that he has heard multiple reports from Italy that Leclerc has agreed to extend his stay. The […]
Ferrari no longer among ‘Olympus’ of F1
Aug.4 (GMM) The experts are split as to how dire Ferrari’s ongoing situation is in Formula 1. Once again, the Maranello based team’s hopes of winning the world championship – the first since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 – have floundered as even Aston Martin is beating Ferrari to third overall at present. There are rumours […]
Gasly’s manager admits Alpine ‘frustration’
Aug.4 (GMM) Former team member Denis Chevrier thinks the political and managerial chaos at Alpine has been powered by an uncompetitive car. The Renault-owned team finished fourth overall last year, but has now slumped to sixth after Alpine lost Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin. Alonso’s successor was Frenchman Pierre Gasly. “The car was born as […]
F1 rivals eyeing sacked Szafnauer, Permane
Aug.4 (GMM) Two rival team bosses think axed Alpine chiefs Otmar Szafnauer and Alan Permane will have no trouble returning to Formula 1. Denis Chievier, a former Renault engine boss, thinks the latest departures amid widespread managerial chaos at the Renault-owned team has become “political”. “I see a team where, with things not working, a […]
Verstappen setting up real-life racing team
Aug.3 (GMM) Max Verstappen is in the process of setting up his own real-life racing team. The reigning world champion is already involved in the sim racing team Redline, but now he is working on setting up a real-life GT3 team under the Verstappen.com Racing banner. Dutch publication Formule 1 reports that it could be […]
German legend Stuck slams state of modern F1
Aug.3 (GMM) German racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck has slammed some of the latest goings-on in Formula 1. Eurosport Germany asked the former F1 driver, 72, about suggestions the FIA should introduce some rules to try to curb Red Bull’s utter dominance. “I think that’s totally unfair,” Stuck said. “It’s much more important for the FIA […]
Indycar stars set for F1 appearances in 2023
Aug.3 (GMM) Two Indycar drivers are set to appear in Friday practice at grands prix later in 2023. McLaren is an iconic Formula 1 team, but under CEO Zak Brown’s stewardship the company now also races in America’s top open wheeler category. Chip Ganassi’s dominant driver Alex Palou has close links with McLaren, while Pat […]