Nov.22 (GMM) Ayao Komatsu has sharply criticised Pirelli’s decision to impose mandatory tyre-stint limits at next weekend’s Qatar GP – a move that guarantees at least two pitstops and eliminates all strategic variation. Pirelli’s 25-lap cap on each tyre set, announced early this week, was introduced after renewed concerns over structural wear at Losail. But […]
‘Nervous’ Tsunoda has ‘no regrets’ over Red Bull switch
Nov.22 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda admits he is anxious about his future in Formula 1 as Red Bull continues to delay its 2026 driver decision – but says he does not regret stepping into the seat that ultimately ended Sergio Perez’s career with the team. Arriving in Las Vegas, the Japanese driver was open about the […]
Spa begins tearing down iconic control tower
Nov.22 (GMM) Spa-Francorchamps has begun a new chapter in its long history, as demolition of the circuit’s familiar old control tower makes way for a modern replacement scheduled to open in June 2026. The new structure – officially named the Uhoda Tower after the Belgian mobility and real-estate group partnering with the circuit – will […]
Bearman slams Vegas track as Verstappen dodges headlines
Nov.22 (GMM) Oliver Bearman has broken with the usual diplomatic tone of Formula 1 drivers by openly criticising the Las Vegas street circuit – calling it the least enjoyable track he has ever driven. “This is the least fun street circuit I’ve ever driven,” the 20-year-old told reporters. “Normally they’re really fun and fantastic. Here, […]
Piastri social-media blunder fuels McLaren tension talk
Nov.22 (GMM) Oscar Piastri has landed himself – and McLaren – in an awkward spot after briefly sharing Bernie Ecclestone’s recent claim that the team is favouring Lando Norris in the 2025 title fight. The post appeared on Piastri’s Instagram story on Thursday before being deleted a few hours later. According to Sky Italia, it […]
Massa and FIA both declare ‘crashgate’ victory
Nov.21 (GMM) Confusion – and conflicting claims of victory – erupted after the High Court in London ruled on Felipe Massa’s lawsuit over the 2008 ‘Crashgate’ saga. The former Ferrari driver declared a “great day for justice”, saying the court had refused attempts by Formula One Management, Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA to shut down […]
Race wins ‘only late next season’ predicts Marko
Nov.21 (GMM) Red Bull is publicly tempering expectations for the first year of Formula 1’s radical 2026 regulations, with Dr Helmut Marko admitting that the team’s new in-house engine – developed with Ford – is unlikely to be a frontrunner straight away. That engine will debut in a season defined by sweeping technical change – […]
Gasly and Verstappen puzzled by Piastri slump
Nov.21 (GMM) Two Formula 1 drivers say Oscar Piastri’s sudden loss of form is “strange” – even as the Australian believes he is now pulling himself out of the slump that derailed his championship charge. Pierre Gasly told AFP he cannot make sense of the performance swing. “It’s inexplicable,” said the Alpine driver. “You can […]
Berger backs IndyCar move for Mick Schumacher
Nov.21 (GMM) Gerhard Berger says a switch to IndyCar would be a “good solution” for Mick Schumacher. Alpine’s WEC program recently announced the signing of Antonio Felix da Costa on a multi-year deal, and now Schumacher has confirmed he is leaving the French marque. “I’m very grateful for these past two years,” he said on […]
Verstappen jokes about future F1 race number
Nov.21 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he will consider switching his race number for 2026 now that the FIA has formally allowed mid-career changes – but admits his preferred option may not be available. Speaking to Dutch media in Las Vegas, Verstappen said: “I do indeed need approval, so it’s a good question which number I’ll […]
Ocon under pressure as Bearman leads Haas charge
Nov.21 (GMM) Esteban Ocon is coming under intense pressure at Haas, with the team locked in a lucrative late-season fight for sixth place in the constructors’ standings – and rookie Oliver Bearman delivering almost all of the points. Over the last four grands prix, Haas have outscored their direct rivals and now head into the […]
Leclerc plays down Elkann storm amid Aston rumours
Nov.21 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has moved to calm speculation about his Ferrari future after team president John Elkann’s recent “talk less” remarks sparked a media firestorm – and fuelled fresh rumours linking the Monegasque to Aston Martin for 2027. Speaking in Las Vegas, Leclerc dismissed the controversy and said Elkann’s comments had been misunderstood. “People’s […]
Kurtz not positioning to be Wolff successor
Nov.21 (GMM) Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has sold part of his one-third stake in the team to CrowdStrike founder George Kurtz – in a transaction that confirms a record valuation for the former world champions. Billionaire Kurtz has acquired 15 percent of Wolff’s 33 percent holding, equating to around 5 percent of the entire team, […]
Leclerc emerges as major 2027 market player – press
Nov.20 (GMM) Influential Italian media outlets are signalling that Charles Leclerc has unexpectedly become one of the key drivers in the 2027 market – alongside Max Verstappen and Adrian Newey. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, writers Luigi Perna and Mario Salvini describe Verstappen, Newey – as Aston Martin designer – and Leclerc as the […]
Red Bull ‘terrified’ of Verstappen – Zak Brown
Nov.20 (GMM) As the title fight reaches a decisive phase in Las Vegas, fresh excerpts from Zak Brown’s upcoming book have reignited his long-running criticism of Max Verstappen’s influence inside Red Bull. Just days after telling The Telegraph that Verstappen can be “a bully” whose “arrogance comes out” on track, the McLaren CEO takes aim […]
Piastri penalty ‘unacceptable’, GPDA plans Qatar talks
Nov.20 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says Formula 1’s recent spate of controversial penalties has reached a “critical” point – revealing that the GPDA will meet the FIA in Qatar next weekend to address the issue. Arriving in Las Vegas, the Spaniard – a GPDA director – said the ten-second penalty given to Oscar Piastri in Brazil […]
F1 settles lawsuits with Las Vegas businesses
Nov.20 (GMM) Several Las Vegas businesses that had filed lawsuits against Formula 1 over losses caused by the first two editions of the Grand Prix have now reached confidential settlements with the organisers. According to Le Journal de Montreal, local restaurateur and bar owner Randy Markin – one of the most vocal critics, claiming a […]
Verstappen ‘still has a chance’ in flooded Vegas
Nov.20 (GMM) Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali insists Max Verstappen remains a genuine title contender – even as the Dutchman arrives in Las Vegas facing the possibility of mathematical elimination. Unseasonal storms hit the city on Wednesday, with the National Weather Service reporting around 20mm of rain across the area and up to 10mm falling […]
Bottas backer confirms support for Ella Hakkinen
Nov.19 (GMM) The billionaire who helped launch Valtteri Bottas’ career has confirmed he is also financing Ella Hakkinen – reinforcing that the 14-year-old McLaren junior has serious backing behind her rise. Antti Aarnio-Wihuri, 85, told Iltalehti that he agreed earlier this year to support the daughter of two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen. “Mika recently visited […]
I want to be better than Russell – Antonelli
Nov.19 (GMM) Kimi Antonelli says his relationship with George Russell has changed since arriving in Formula 1 – and insists he is not in the sport “to match him”, but to beat him. In a wide-ranging interview with Blick, the 19-year-old Mercedes rookie admitted his first season had been a “rollercoaster”, especially after a mid-year […]