Jan.16 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says existing Formula 1 teams are “afraid” of losing money by agreeing to green-light an eleventh entry. FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem says it’s “surprising” that, notwithstanding Cadillac and General Motors joining Andretti’s F1 team bid, there are still so many “negative reactions” in the paddock. However, one such critic – […]
Berger turned down offers for F1 return
Jan.16 (GMM) Gerhard Berger says he turned down offers to return to Formula 1. Recently, the former F1 driver, BMW boss and Toro Rosso co-owner stepped down in charge of the German touring car series DTM. It triggered rumours he might be shaping up to replace Mattia Binotto at Ferrari or join in on the […]
Alpine only option for Gasly’s F1 progress
Jan.16 (GMM) Pierre Gasly admits moving from Alpha Tauri to Renault-owned Alpine in 2023 was his best opportunity to move up the Formula 1 grid. Red Bull had already taken up its 2023 option on the Frenchman when talks with Alpine kicked off last August. “I was on holiday in Greece because I needed a […]
Verstappen keeps troubled F1 sponsor
Jan.16 (GMM) Back-to-back world champion Max Verstappen will retain the backing of a long-time personal sponsor in 2023. In September, Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo’s CEO and owner Fritz van Eerd found himself at the centre of a money laundering scandal. At the time, Verstappen’s management distanced the 25-year-old driver from the story. But Auto Bild […]
Axed Chinese GP could return
Jan.16 (GMM) Formula 1’s forthcoming 2023 calendar could once again swell to 24 grands prix. Before Christmas, the sport scrapped the scheduled Chinese GP for the fourth consecutive time due to strict covid-19 restrictions. However, widespread subsequent public protests have led to the significant easing of those restrictions, resulting in a surge in infections. But […]
Montoya’s son on road to F1
Jan.16 (GMM) A fresh-faced Montoya is well on the road to Formula 1. 17-year-old Sebastian Montoya, the son of former Williams and McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya, has just been signed by Red Bull’s famous driver development program. “This past year, I became part of the brand’s athletes and now we will work together for […]
Vettel as Red Bull team boss ‘possible’
Jan.16 (GMM) It is “not impossible” that Sebastian Vettel will soon return to Formula 1 as a team boss. The quadruple world champion, 35, stepped down as a driver at the end of 2022 and says he is looking forward to a quieter year. However, the man who brought Vettel into F1 – Red Bull’s […]
Sainz not saying ‘a word’ about 2023 Ferrari
Jan.16 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has made a cautious start to the forthcoming 2023 season. On a visit to watch his famous father and namesake contest the fabled Dakar rally, the Ferrari driver was asked if he has been in touch with new team boss Frederic Vasseur. “Of course I have spoken with Fred,” the Spaniard […]
Leclerc-Vasseur link ‘good for Ferrari’ – Sainz
Dec.22 (GMM) Ferrari is in a “better place” because of Mattia Binotto’s leadership, according to Carlos Sainz. However, the Maranello based team decided to react to the reliability, strategic and other mistakes by ousting its boss ahead of the 2023 season. “Ultimately it’s his decision and I can only wish him the very best,” Spaniard […]
Red Bull not ‘putting pressure’ on Perez – Marko
Dec.22 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has denied that Red Bull is “trying to put pressure” on Sergio Perez. Towards the end of the season, it became clear that the relationship – or the appearance of a relationship – between Max Verstappen and Perez was breaking down. Fairly promptly after that, it emerged that McLaren refugee […]
Political ban ‘won’t affect’ Nico Hulkenberg
Dec.22 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has become the first Formula 1 driver to prominently react to the FIA’s new ban on political gestures. Some reacted to the new measure with criticism, accusing the sport’s governing body of effectively gagging its stars. “It’s a delicate, difficult subject,” German Hulkenberg, who is returning full-time to Formula 1 next […]
Hamilton not expecting ‘close’ Schumacher partnership
Dec.22 (GMM) Seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton isn’t sure how closely he’ll work with new Mercedes recruit Mick Schumacher in 2023. Having lost his Haas seat after two seasons, the 23-year-old German’s Formula 1 career has been rescued by Toto Wolff as Schumacher is appointed reserve driver. “Mick is a great talent,” team race […]
Berger linked with Lauda-style F1 Audi role
Dec.21 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger is being lined up as a Niki Lauda-style figurehead for Audi’s works Formula 1 foray from 2026. With Frederic Vasseur heading to Ferrari, Audi’s 2026 partner Sauber – currently Alfa Romeo – has already installed the formerly VW-linked McLaren boss Andreas Seidl as its new CEO. A team boss […]
Marko says Honda ‘can’t buy Alpha Tauri’
Dec.21 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has played down the chances that Red Bull’s F1 alliance with Honda will extend beyond the 2025 season. This year, following Honda’s official withdrawal from the sport at the end of the 2021 title, Red Bull kept the Honda-made engines and set up its own powertrain department – Red Bull […]
Ferrari ‘weaker’ after Binotto axe – Marko
Dec.21 (GMM) Ferrari is “weaker” after axing its team boss Mattia Binotto. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, a top Red Bull executive who no longer thinks the Maranello-based team will be able to charge for the title in 2023. When asked if the real winners of the Ferrari shakeup are Red Bull […]
Barcelona plays down Madrid F1 rumours
Dec.21 (GMM) The Circuit de Catalunya is playing down reports this week that Madrid could snatch the Spanish GP away from Barcelona. The current Spanish GP host is currently planning to upgrade the well-known circuit and has even approved a major layout tweak for 2023 – the return of the once-beloved final two super-fast right-handers. […]
F1 bans drivers from making political gestures
Dec.21 (GMM) Formula 1 is clamping down on political gestures and statements by drivers at grands prix. The FIA has revealed a ban on “political statements” from the start of the 2023 season, following the emergence of social activism by drivers including champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. No longer allowed is “the general making […]
Alpine’s F1 engine only ‘a tenth’ behind rivals
Dec.20 (GMM) Renault-owned Alpine has played down reports that becoming a Formula 1 frontrunner before 2026 will be impossible due to the current power unit. Some believe the current development ‘freeze’ until the new engine rules come into force in 2026, allied with Fernando Alonso’s complaints this year about reliability, mean that fourth in the […]
F1 sustainability heading in ‘illogical’ direction – Newey
Dec.20 (GMM) Adrian Newey has questioned the narrative surrounding the future of Formula 1 and motoring in general. Arguably the most famous designer in the sport’s history admits that the environment and sustainability are “big issues” that should be paid attention to. “Formula 1 can and must play a role in that,” Newey, the chief […]
Red Bull to pay Verstappen’s F1 license bill
Dec.20 (GMM) World champion Max Verstappen has copped the highest-ever bill for a Formula 1 super license in the sport’s history. The credential, of course, is mandatory – and the cost for the driver is calculated on the basis of a base amount plus extra for every single point. In the end, it left Dutchman […]