Sep.2 (GMM) A former F1 driver has slammed Sebastian Vettel for dismissing the value of the all-electric open wheeler series Formula E. This week, the German weekly Die Zeit asked the retiring quadruple world champion if – given his environmental activism – he might consider a move to Formula E. “No, I’m not going to […]
VW CEO confirms Porsche-Red Bull talks not over yet
Sep.2 (GMM) New Volkwagen CEO Oliver Blume has confirmed that Porsche’s negotiations with Red Bull about a works Formula 1 collaboration from 2026 are still ongoing. We reported this week that the deal is currently on hold, seemingly because Red Bull is concerned about the control it may lose by selling 50 percent of the […]
Gasly denies Alpine ‘contract’ rumours
Sep.2 (GMM) Pierre Gasly has found himself at the centre of the 2023 ‘silly season’. Although already officially confirmed at Alpha Tauri for next year, the Frenchman was heard on video at Spa last weekend telling Charles Leclerc and George Russell that his team is “working on the final details of the contract”. Most assume […]
Last races not a ‘farewell tour’ – Vettel
Sep.1 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has baulked at the claim that the last grands prix of 2022 will be his “farewell tour” to Formula 1. The quadruple world champion, 35, is definitely retiring from the sport as a driver after November’s Abu Dhabi season finale. But he thinks he will see his F1 friends again. “I […]
Verstappen opposed to F1 sprint race expansion
Sep.1 (GMM) Max Verstappen has admitted his opposition to adding more ‘sprint race’ weekends to the Formula 1 calendar. Three sprint race weekends are on the 2022 calendar, with normal qualifying held on Friday, a short grid-deciding race on Saturday, and the main action on Sunday. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, however, wants to expand the […]
Haas not commenting on Ferrari-Schumacher split
Sep.1 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has backed away from reports that Haas driver Mick Schumacher has lost the support of Ferrari’s driver development ‘academy’. The deal, which began in 2019 prior to 23-year-old Schumacher’s 2021 debut in Formula 1, is set to naturally expire at the end of this year and reports indicate that it will […]
Marko confirms Porsche talks ‘not over yet’
Sep.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has essentially confirmed reports that negotiations between Red Bull and Porsche about a works deal for 2026 and beyond have stalled. When announcing that fellow VW brand Audi will be on the grid in 2026, CEO Markus Duesmann indicated last week in Belgium that Porsche is definitely coming to Formula […]
Verstappen doesn’t need to win at Zandvoort
Sep.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says the pressure is lifting off Max Verstappen’s shoulders to target victory at every remaining grand prix in 2023. That is because the Red Bull driver’s advantage over Charles Leclerc is now approaching 100 points, which is made even more bitter for Ferrari given the sheer dominance of Verstappen last […]
No 2024 deal for popular Dutch GP yet
Sep.1 (GMM) The future of the highly popular Dutch GP seems unclear beyond the end of the current contract through 2023. That is despite the fact that even Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali admits that the event at Zandvoort is, after just a single season back on the calendar, the stand-out in Europe. “In the […]
Albon, Red Bull partnership now fading
Sep.1 (GMM) Alex Albon is now emerging from his close partnership with Red Bull, having been loaned to the British team Williams from the 2022 season. While the driver ‘silly season’ is shifting into a higher gear ahead of 2023, the British-born Thai driver seems to be firmly in Williams’ plans for next season. At […]
Red Bull not ruling out Gasly-Alpine move
Aug.31 (GMM) Red Bull is not ruling out releasing Pierre Gasly from his contract at Alpha Tauri. In the past days, the Frenchman – although already confirmed at Red Bull’s second team for 2023 – has been strongly linked with the vacant seat at Renault-owned Alpine to create an all-French lineup with Esteban Ocon. Some […]
Audi facing uphill struggle in F1
Aug.31 (GMM) Audi is facing an uphill struggle to produce an engine competitive enough to take on Formula 1’s long-established main players. That is the view of former driver Christian Danner, who warned those who are excited about the now-confirmed 2026 entry of the VW-owned marque. “How realistic is it for them to make such […]
Schumacher-Ferrari deal not axed yet – report
Aug.31 (GMM) It is premature to report that Mick Schumacher is leaving Ferrari’s driver development ‘academy’. That is the view of Felix Gorner, a correspondent for the German broadcaster RTL, after a specialist auto racing publication said Schumacher’s entire F1 career is now in the air following the Ferrari split. Gorner says the only fact […]
Alonso ‘right’ to rebuke Hamilton – pundit
Aug.31 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s old rivalry with Fernando Alonso is back in the spotlight after the Belgian GP. As they duelled towards the front of the field on lap 1 at fabled Spa-Francorchamps, their Mercedes and Alpine cars collided – and Alonso vented his fury. On the radio, the Spaniard told his team that seven […]
Binotto, Steiner to ‘sit down’ for Schumacher talks
Aug.30 (GMM) Mattia Binotto isn’t sure if Mick Schumacher will still be on the Formula 1 grid next year. The 23-year-old German made his debut for Haas last year and impressed alongside Nikita Mazepin, but his performances have been more mixed when paired with the experienced Kevin Magnussen in 2022. Schumacher is tentatively linked with […]
Spa now looking for ‘long term’ F1 contract
Aug.30 (GMM) Belgian GP promoter Vanessa Maes admits the new race contract with Formula 1 is for one year only. Actually, news of the extension came as a huge relief to many in the paddock last weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, as the sport came to terms with potentially losing one of its most fabled venues for […]
Marko urges Perez to improve
Aug.30 (GMM) Even at Formula 1’s clearly dominant team, the pressure is still on. Top Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko, however, couldn’t possibly be happier with reigning champion Max Verstappen – whose advantage over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is now almost 100 points. “It was easier than expected,” the 79-year-old beamed to Sky Deutschland after […]
Alpine boss expects Piastri ruling ‘soon’
Aug.30 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo may struggle to find a seat on the Formula 1 grid for 2023. The struggling Australian driver has been paid a rumoured $12 million by McLaren to leave the British team a year ahead of schedule. McLaren wants to replace him with Oscar Piastri, but that will depend on the outcome […]
Red Bull-Porsche deal could fall through – report
Aug.30 (GMM) Red Bull’s highly anticipated works deal with Porsche for 2026 and beyond is at risk of falling through. Auto Motor und Sport reports that Formula 1’s currently dominant team is nervous about the influence that the Volkswagen-owned German sports car maker would have in the event of a rumoured 50 percent buyout. Red […]
Ocon not opposed to Gasly at Alpine in 2023
Aug.29 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he and fellow Frenchman Pierre Gasly have enough “respect” to be able to thrive as Alpine teammates. Apparent negotiations between Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko and officials at Renault-owned Alpine reportedly took place over the Belgian GP weekend. Alpine is looking to replace Aston-Martin bound Fernando Alonso for 2023, after […]