Apr.20 (GMM) Michelin has ruled out bidding to succeed Pirelli as Formula 1’s sole tyre supplier. Pirelli – the sport’s sole supplier since 2011 – has the exclusive contract until 2024, but the governing FIA has just launched the next tender to cover 2025, 2026, 2027 and possibly 2028. “Obviously the decision is not in […]
French GP race rotation ‘on the table’ – Alesi
Apr.20 (GMM) Renewed rumours about two circuits alternating single annual calendar spots in Formula 1 are giving hope to axed French GP host Paul Ricard. As the sport’s calendar aggressively expanded, some traditional hosts including France and Germany were priced out of the market. Former race host Hockenheim is now hopeful that talks with F1 […]
Verstappen also regarded as ‘impolite’ – Alonso
Apr.20 (GMM) Max Verstappen could be set to match Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton’s joint all-time record for the number of Formula 1 drivers’ titles. That is the view of Fernando Alonso, a two-time champion who at 41 is widely regarded as having had similar potential to run away with many more championships. Now, as […]
Marko admits key mistake over Hamilton future
Apr.20 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko admits he made a fundamental mistake by advising Mercedes to sign Lewis Hamilton in late 2012. The 79-year-old, a top official at Red Bull, told Sport Bild magazine that he gave his fellow Austrian Niki Lauda key information about Hamilton’s McLaren contract at a key moment in the now seven […]
Vowles banned from poaching Mercedes staff
Apr.20 (GMM) James Vowles says he was prohibited from taking Mercedes personnel with him to Williams. Mercedes’ former strategy boss succeeded the ousted Jost Capito to become Williams’ new team principal this year. He says the struggling former champions began to decline some years ago because the team was merely fighting to survive from one […]
Poaching Newey would not fix Ferrari – Alesi
Apr.19 (GMM) Even poaching Adrian Newey from Red Bull would not solve Ferrari’s current performance problems. That is the view of famous former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi, responding to former Ferrari tester Daniil Kvyat’s view that the Maranello team needs “a technical revolution”. “The team has a new boss,” said the Russian and former Red […]
New F1 teams already testing in wind tunnels
Apr.19 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says he has heard rumours that potential new Formula 1 teams are already testing in existing competitors’ wind tunnels. McLaren supremo Zak Brown told the Washington Post in recent days that “three or four teams” are set to meet the FIA’s forthcoming deadline this month to apply for up to two […]
‘Afraid’ Rosberg reveals reason for F1 retirement
Apr.19 (GMM) More than six years after suddenly quitting Formula 1 at the age of 31, Nico Rosberg admits it was fear that drove his decision to retire. The 2016 world champion admits in the latest German edition of Men’s Health magazine that his entire “identity” raced away from him when he left F1. Now […]
Audi arrival boosts Red Bull ‘passion’ – Marko
Apr.19 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko admits Red Bull’s Formula 1 engine program for 2026 and beyond is a “risk”. The engine regulations are changing markedly for 2026, with Volkswagen-owned Audi teaming up with Sauber. Audi is at Shanghai’s car show Auto Shanghai this week, where board member Oliver Hoffman revealed that the F1 project “has […]
Saudi Arabia plays down F1 buyout ‘speculation’
Apr.18 (GMM) Saudi Arabia has dismissed as “mere speculation” earlier reports that it wanted to buy Formula 1’s commercial rights. In January, it emerged that as well as eyeing a Saudi driver and team, as well as a second annual grand prix on top of its existing F1 investments, the Kingdom’s public investment fund offered […]
F1 CEO ‘nervous’ about next budget cap breach
Apr.18 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali admits he is “nervous” about a repeat of last year’s budget cap breach controversy. A cheat storm engulfed Formula 1 last year as it emerged that Red Bull, and to a lesser degree Aston Martin, had spent more than the allowed $145 million in 2021. Earlier this year, Red Bull team […]
Melbourne track invasion linked with post-covid era
Apr.18 (GMM) The end of the covid era and a surge of new Drive to Survive-fuelled fans contributed to the track invasion at the end of the recent Australian GP. That is the view of the Melbourne race’s operations manager Tom Mottram, who is not ruling out banning certain troublemakers from future events at Albert […]
Hamilton not quitting F1 ‘saved me’ – Russell
Apr.18 (GMM) George Russell says he is relieved Lewis Hamilton is still racing in Formula 1. After his controversial 2021 title defeat to Max Verstappen, it seemed possible for quite some time that seven time world champion Hamilton would quit. When Hamilton, 38, resurfaced for the 2022 season, his preferred teammate Valtteri Bottas had been […]
Next F1 meetings to shape sport’s future
Apr.18 (GMM) Important forthcoming meetings are set to have a major impact on Formula 1’s immediate and longer-term future. The F1 Commission is set to meet later in April, where teams are set to get an update about which prospective new teams are bidding to join the sport. “I think what’s come to light is […]
Ferrari needs ‘technical revolution’ – Kvyat
Apr.17 (GMM) A “technical revolution” is required so that Ferrari can win world championships again, according to former Formula 1 driver Kvyat. The Russian was a Ferrari test driver for a time after his Red Bull career petered out – and he says he even came close to racing full-time for the Maranello marque. Before […]
F1-MotoGP joint race weekend idea ‘difficult’ – boss
Apr.17 (GMM) A joint race weekend featuring both Formula 1 and MotoGP will be “difficult” to get off the ground. That is the frank admission of MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta – even though he said earlier this month that the fascinating idea is being discussed with his F1 counterpart Stefano Domenicali. “I have spoken with […]
New team F1 fee must increase – Domenicali
Apr.17 (GMM) F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed reports that the new team entry fee is set to soar from its current $200 million. The sport’s existing teams have been reluctant to embrace the interest of new parties including Andretti-Cadillac and others on the basis that it dilutes the value of their own franchises. The […]
Another F1 driver attacked for watch
Apr.17 (GMM) Another Formula 1 driver has had his expensive watch stolen from his wrist. After the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium, McLaren driver Lando Norris had a designer Richard Mille watch worth $180,000 taken from his wrist after being put in a headlock. Last week, footage emerged of Charles Leclerc chasing a group […]
Hockenheim says F1 race rotation scheme ‘ideal’
Apr.17 (GMM) Hopes that Germany may return to the Formula 1 calendar are not dead, according to Hockenheim boss Jorn Teske. Although the country’s prominence at the pinnacle of motorsport is at a low ebb, rumours have circulated in just the past few days that Formula 1 is keen to revive a German GP. It […]
Ferrari criticism ‘pulling us down’ – Sainz
Apr.17 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has hit out at the Italian media for weeks of negative coverage about the start of Ferrari’s 2023 campaign. The Spanish driver says the negativity is not helping the fabled Maranello team to improve. “You have to realise that no one is more upset or angry or unhappy about the situation […]