Feb.20 (GMM) Michael and Mario Andretti are already “insiders” who should be welcomed back into Formula 1. That is the view of the latter, Mario Andretti – the world champion of 1978. His son Michael, who raced alongside Ayrton Senna at McLaren in 1993, is now bidding to bring his Andretti Autosport operation into F1 […]
Leclerc plays down Vasseur contract talks
Feb.20 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has played down rumours he may soon be pressing his new boss for a new Ferrari contract. It is rumoured that the 25-year-old is very happy that Frederic Vasseur – his first Formula 1 boss from his Sauber days – replaced Mattia Binotto in charge of Ferrari over the winter. “It’s […]
FIA takes step away from political speech ‘ban’
Feb.20 (GMM) F1’s governing body says it is only interested in limiting drivers’ political gestures and speech “during key moments”. Last week, seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton broke his silence and joined several other drivers who have criticised the FIA’s new political clampdown. Alongside the newly-retired Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton was the most prominently outspoken […]
Newey no longer in F1 full-time – Horner
Feb.20 (GMM) Adrian Newey is no longer working on Formula 1 every single day, Red Bull’s Christian Horner admits. Earlier, the 64-year-old – widely regarded as among the greatest designers in the sport’s history – was credited for using his knowledge of F1’s past ground effect era to ace the new 2022 regulations. But it […]
Alpine not missing Alonso ‘yet’
Feb.20 (GMM) Otmar Szafnauer insists Alpine is not missing Fernando Alonso – yet. Last week, former two-time champion Alonso caused a stir when he rebuked the Renault-owned team that he has just departed for celebrating fourth overall in 2022. The 41-year-old claims Aston Martin – his new team – is “more ambitious” than that. “Here, […]
Axed Binotto says 2023 Ferrari ‘not my car’
Feb.17 (GMM) Mattia Binotto says he is not taking the credit for Ferrari’s 2023 car. The Swiss-born Italian engineer was axed as Ferrari team boss following the often calamitous failed championship attempt last year. He was in charge at Maranello for four years, but before that had prominent engineering and executive roles dating all the […]
Ricciardo wanted $10m for 2023 Haas seat
Feb.17 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo simply wanted too much money to stay on the Formula 1 grid this year, according to Haas boss Gunther Steiner. After two disappointing years with McLaren, former Red Bull race winner Ricciardo – now 33 – was ousted. Ultimately, he has returned to Red Bull for 2023 as a brand ambassador, […]
Marko backs Horner over Andretti-Cadillac stance
Feb.17 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko supports the widespread view among Formula 1’s current teams regarding a bid by Andretti-Cadillac to enter the sport in 2025. Although the FIA has now instigated a formal process to consider expanding the grid from 10 to up to 12 teams, F1 itself – and the existing teams – are […]
Black trend in F1 all ‘about performance’
Feb.17 (GMM) The livery trend for Formula 1’s 2023 season is obvious – and it’s carbon black. Alpine has now completed this year’s full grid of cars by revealing its 2023 challenger – with notably more raw black carbon in its two blue and pink-based designs. But it’s the trend up and down pitlane, with […]
Alpine owner Renault in F1 for ‘long term’ – CEO
Feb.17 (GMM) Renault is pledging its ongoing commitment to Formula 1, despite departed 2022 driver Fernando Alonso insisting Alpine was “happy with fourth” overall. Former two-time Renault champion Alonso, 41, made the switch over the winter to what he describes as the “more ambitious” Aston Martin project. However, Aston Martin finished just seventh last year, […]
Williams denies Latifi-shaped budget black hole
Feb.16 (GMM) Williams has played down concerns about financial strife in the wake of Nicholas Latifi’s departure from Formula 1. After three disappointing years at Williams, Canadian Latifi was left without a seat for 2023. But, due to his wealthy father Michael, he has taken a lot of team funding with him, including Lavazzi and […]
Hulkenberg admits ‘mental’ anguish of F1 break
Feb.16 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg admits he struggled with the “mental” side of his three-year full-time absence from the Formula 1 grid. With almost 180 grands prix in the bag, the now 35-year-old lost his Renault race seat after 2019 and since then has only contested the odd race as a one-off substitute. But he is […]
Rival teams have ‘interest’ in Mick Schumacher
Feb.16 (GMM) Formula 1 teams are already interested in signing up Mick Schumacher for his return to the grid in 2024. This year, after two mixed seasons with Haas, the 23-year-old son of F1 legend Michael has had to settle for a reserve role at Mercedes. He will also be on standby for Mercedes-powered McLaren. […]
Alpine was ‘happy with fourth’ – Alonso
Feb.16 (GMM) Fernando Alonso couldn’t resist a jibe at his former team as he got up to speed at the wheel of an Aston Martin this week. When the 41-year-old Spaniard announced his impending switch to Aston Martin, he said owner Lawrence Stroll’s project seemed “more ambitious” than Alpine’s. Now, following the 2023 Aston Martin […]
Norris happy with teammate who ‘pushes’ him
Feb.16 (GMM) Lando Norris is glad he will have a teammate who “pushes” him in 2023. As his Formula 1 career started, the now 23-year-old was paired with Carlos Sainz who subsequently was promoted to Ferrari. McLaren replaced Sainz with experienced race winner Daniel Ricciardo, but the 33-year-old notably struggled and was ultimately ousted after […]
McLaren keeping engine options open for 2026
Feb.16 (GMM) Zak Brown is keeping an open mind about the identity of McLaren’s next engine supplier. Currently, the Woking based team uses a customer Mercedes power unit on a contract that runs until the end of the current rules period to 2025. Beyond that, there is talk of a reunion with Honda, as the […]
Domenicali says F1 not for sale
Feb.16 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali has played down reports that Formula 1 is for sale. Last month, it was reported that Saudi Arabia’s state investment fund was eyeing the currently Liberty Media-owned asset – with a staggering potential $20 billion price-tag. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem responded by suggesting the price was “inflated”, earning a strong […]
‘No sidepods’ look could change in 2023 – Wolff
Feb.16 (GMM) Mercedes is sticking with its ‘no sidepods’ concept for the start of the 2023 season – but that could soon change according to team boss Toto Wolff. After a difficult 2022, the Brackley based team on Wednesday revealed and debuted at Silverstone its slightly modified new car – now in all carbon black. […]
Another budget cap breach possible in 2023 – Horner
Feb.15 (GMM) Christian Horner admits there is no guarantee Red Bull will not breach Formula 1’s new budget cap for the second year in succession. After being found guilty of a ‘minor’ overspend following a high profile controversy last year, the reigning champions received a $7 million fine and a 10 percent reduction in car […]
F1 to discuss raising $200m new team entry fee
Feb.15 (GMM) Existing teams will soon discuss a proposal to raise the amount of money potential new entrants need to pay to enter Formula 1. Currently, a keen Andretti-Cadillac collaboration is pushing to be welcomed to the sport for 2025 or 2026 but have called their potential rival teams “greedy” for rejecting their bid on […]