Apr.7 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin says he is a victim of “cancel culture”. The son of Russian oligarch Dmitry, whose fertiliser company Uralkali was Haas’ main sponsor, was recently ousted by the small American F1 team amid widespread sanctions against Russian interests. European sanctions said Mazepin snr is a “member of the closest circle of Vladimir […]
Too soon for F1 to scrap DRS – FIA’s Tombazis
Apr.6 (GMM) Nikolas Tombazis admits that Formula 1 is not ready to dump the controversial ‘DRS’ system despite the apparent success of the new aerodynamic rules. The FIA’s technical boss says he was pleasantly surprised with the spectacle of the opening two races of the revolutionary new ‘ground effect’ era. “I wouldn’t have been surprised […]
More talented drivers in Formula E than F1
Apr.6 (GMM) Former F1 driver Andre Lotterer says Red Bull boss Christian Horner’s criticism of Formula E is actually a “compliment”. Horner said recently that the all-electric single seater series “doesn’t work” because it “doesn’t take people with it”. “There is no noise, there is no passion,” he told the OMR podcast. “There is no […]
F1 looking for ‘better TV deal’ in USA
Apr.6 (GMM) Formula 1 is now turning its focus to a more lucrative television rights deal in the United States. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali freely admits that the American market is a “massive focus” for the sport, as Las Vegas is added to an ever-expanding calendar alongside existing US-based races in Miami and Austin. “We […]
Era of non-political F1 drivers ‘gone’ – Wurz
Apr.6 (GMM) The days are over when Formula 1 drivers could stay out of political matters. That is the view of Alex Wurz, a former F1 driver who is now president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association – the union representing the active drivers in Formula 1. In Saudi Arabia recently, reports emerged that the […]
Budget cap gamble paid off for Alfa Romeo
Apr.6 (GMM) Sauber-run Alfa Romeo appears to have benefitted in more ways than one by taking more control of its Swiss-based Formula 1 team. With the budget cap, the big technology and engine makers – predominantly Ferrari and Mercedes – reportedly insisted upon provisions whereby smaller teams who buy their components also have to take […]
DRS still helping F1 ‘show’ – Wolff
Apr.5 (GMM) There will be no fewer than 4 separate DRS zones on the Albert Park layout this weekend as Formula 1 finally returns to Australia. With the ‘ground effect’ 2022 cars proving much easier for drivers to chase and pass rivals with, some have questioned whether the drag-reduction rear wing system is even needed […]
F1 shouldn’t ‘write off’ Ricciardo – Marko
Apr.5 (GMM) Formula 1 should not “write off” Daniel Ricciardo, according to Red Bull driver mogul Dr Helmut Marko. This week, as the sport finally returns to Australia, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner reveals that the 32-year-old rejected a “stratospheric” offer to remain Max Verstappen’s teammate beyond 2018. Instead, Ricciardo went to Renault and […]
Lance Stroll attends grandfather’s funeral
Apr.5 (GMM) Lance Stroll attended the funeral of his grandfather before flying to Australia for this weekend’s grand prix. The Aston Martin driver was photographed at the Paperman et Fils funeral complex in his native Montreal to farewell Leo, father of team owner and fashion billionaire Lawrence. Both Strolls wore Jewish skullcaps or yarmulkes as […]
‘Three months’ until Magnussen fit for F1
Apr.5 (GMM) It will take “three months” before Kevin Magnussen is match-fit for Formula 1. After losing his Haas seat, the Dane spent a full year in sports cars before being recalled by the small American team to replace Nikita Mazepin. He struggled physically in Bahrain, but team boss Gunther Steiner is happy about the […]
Budget cap hardest on Alfa Romeo – Monchaux
Apr.5 (GMM) Formula 1’s budget cap is harder on Swiss-based Alfa Romeo. That is the view of the Sauber-run team’s technical boss Jan Monchaux, who told motorsport-magazin.com: “Have you ever been to a restaurant in Switzerland? “The problem is that the budget cap does not currently compensate for the differences in the cost of living […]
Hamilton open to working with Will Smith
Apr.5 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he would like to work with Hollywood actor and producer Will Smith. Smith is all over the headlines at present after slapping comedian presenter Chris Rock in the face just 30 minutes before receiving the best actor Academy Award for King Richard. The film is a biographical sports drama in […]
Alpine denies 2022 engine ‘concept’ wrong
Apr.5 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is “already on the edge” with his engine allocation for 2022, according to Russian Formula 1 commentator Alexey Popov. Alpine is boasting about a solid start to its 2022 campaign, but Spaniard Alonso has been plagued with engine trouble so far – including in Saudi Arabia. “It wasn’t the engine itself,” […]
F1 broadcaster calls Lance Stroll ‘quite arrogant’
Apr.4 (GMM) Lance Stroll is not enjoying a sunny start to his 2022 campaign in Formula 1. His billionaire father Lawrence is being criticised for his handling of Aston Martin’s progress, and F1 pundits are calling his performance alongside last-minute substitute teammate Nico Hulkenberg “embarrassing”. “Stroll should ask himself if he should find a different […]
Perez not yet thinking about 2023 contract
Apr.4 (GMM) Sergio Perez denies he is already champing at the bit to sign a third Red Bull contract for 2023. Last week, the energy drink company’s notorious F1 driver manager Dr Helmut Marko said next year is the final installation in Alpha Tauri star Pierre Gasly’s Red Bull deal. “If this contract expires and […]
Verstappen vs Leclerc ‘won’t go wrong’ – Doornbos
Apr.4 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s new title head-to-head will not echo the ultra intense rivalry he had in 2021 with Lewis Hamilton. That is the view of former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos, who says Verstappen’s wheel-to-wheel battling with Charles Leclerc in Saudi Arabia was par for the course for two drivers who have been racing […]
2022 a ‘probationary year’ for Mick Schumacher
Apr.4 (GMM) Mick Schumacher’s qualifying crash in Saudi Arabia could be a big setback for the young German in a “probationary” year for him in Formula 1. While 2022 is the 23-year-old’s second year on the grid with Haas, Schumacher says he is feeling more “comfortable” in the garage with new teammate Kevin Magnussen. “We […]
Marko has no problem with F1 ‘morality’
Apr.4 (GMM) Formula 1 should be grateful for its new and lucrative markets, according to Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko. While the F1 drivers threatened to boycott the Saudi Arabian GP recently over the nearby drone and missile strikes, the teams themselves were united that the show must go on. “When the German economics minister […]
Ferrari denies getting early start with 2022 car
Apr.4 (GMM) Ferrari has hit back at claims its early 2022 advantage is due to getting a ‘head start’ with the all-new regulations. The conventional wisdom is that while Red Bull and Mercedes were warring over the 2021 title, Ferrari was already hard at work on the now championship-leading scarlet car. “No, that’s completely wrong,” […]
McLaren set to sign EUR 650m Audi F1 deal
Apr.4 (GMM) McLaren’s Formula 1 team is tipped to sign an incredible EUR 650 million deal with Audi. Following reports the Volkwagen-owned brand was in talks for a EUR 500m technical and engine tie-up with the Woking based team, Germany’s Automobilwoche claims the offer has now swelled by a further EUR 150m. Bloomberg reported that […]