Feb.23 (GMM) Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi has no regrets after F1 legend Alain Prost left his post as a key team advisor and executive. Prost, 66, was scathing of Rossi when news of the split broke, accusing him of “jealousy” and revealing that the Frenchman wanted to “make decisions on his own”. Rossi apparently has […]
F1 ‘monitoring’ Russia-Ukraine war crisis
Feb.23 (GMM) Formula 1 and the FIA are monitoring the escalating situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border, according to a source. As the US orders troops to Eastern Europe amid Vladimir Putin’s apparent aggression against neighbouring Ukraine, Western leaders are busily imposing sanctions on Russia. A full Russian invasion is reportedly now on the cards, with […]
Ecclestone would have helped Verstappen – Tarquini
Feb.23 (GMM) A Bernie Ecclestone-run Formula 1 would have seen Max Verstappen crowned champion “much earlier”. That is the view of former F1 driver Gabriele Tarquini, referring to the continuing controversy surrounding the way Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s intense 2021 title battle concluded in Abu Dhabi. “The stewards almost ruined everything,” the Italian told Russia’s […]
Tsunoda admits to being ‘lazy’ in 2021
Feb.23 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda admits his big lesson from his debut season in Formula 1 last year was to stop being so “lazy”. The Honda-backed Japanese, who has been retained by Red Bull for its junior team Alpha Tauri, even described himself as a “lazy bastard”. Tsunoda, 21, says he got a false impression about […]
Alfa Romeo more independent under 2022 rules
Feb.23 (GMM) Alfa Romeo is taking a “step by step” approach to take more control of its own destiny in Formula 1. Where previously the Sauber-run team simply bought much of its technology from Ferrari, Alfa Romeo worked throughout 2021 on producing its own gearbox housing for the all-new 2022 car. “The decision was made […]
Brown hails Red Bull’s mammoth F1 sponsorships
Feb.23 (GMM) It is “great” that Red Bull is raking in the millions as a result of Max Verstappen winning the 2021 world championship. The energy drink owned team has signed two major sponsorship deals ahead of the 2022 season – with cloud computing company Oracle and Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Bybit. Forbes claims the Bybit […]
‘Ten teams enough’ for F1 – Wolff
Feb.22 (GMM) Toto Wolff sounds reluctant to open the door to Formula 1 to budding new applicant Michael Andretti. Former McLaren driver Andretti’s legendary father Mario, the 1978 title winner, revealed this week that his son has not given up on F1 after his Sauber buyout bid failed last year. However, the FIA immediately played […]
‘Nothing bad’ about 2021 finale – Alonso
Feb.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has played down the ongoing drama surrounding the way last year’s championship finale played out. When asked if he agrees that his former nemesis was “robbed” of his eighth title by the ousted Michael Masi’s controversial decision, the 40-year-old insisted: “No. “Everyone has their own opinion but it was a normal […]
Title finale drama not Max’s fault – Hamilton
Feb.22 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he has no hard feelings after his intense 2021 title battle ended in controversy and acrimony. “No, this has nothing to do with Max,” said the seven time world champion, who reportedly flirted with retirement throughout a winter period characterised by his silence. George Russell, Hamilton’s new Mercedes teammate, said […]
Alonso hints at new F1 contract for 2023
Feb.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso thinks he might stay in Formula 1 at least for another couple of years. The 40-year-old Spaniard returned to the grid with Alpine last year but insists 2021 was only “a warm-up” ahead of the all-new regulations debuting in 2022. “Hopefully it will allow us to fight for podiums, because if […]
Alpine CEO not ruling out white F1 livery
Feb.21 (GMM) The tantalising prospect of a white 2022 livery is not being ruled out by Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi. Actually, the Renault-owned team is preparing to reveal a blue and pink car for the start of the all-new regulations era, with the latter colour marking the switch of Austrian water company BWT from Aston […]
Mercedes did not force Masi sacking – Wolff
Feb.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes did not use threats to see Michael Masi removed as Formula 1 race director. That was the insistence of team boss Toto Wolff, as Hamilton’s retirement threats subsided by his appearance at the launch of Mercedes’ new car for 2022 – the silver W13. The event came after Wolff […]
FIA plays down Andretti’s F1 entry plan for 2024
Feb.21 (GMM) The sport’s governing body has played down reports that Michael Andretti is still pushing to put together a Formula 1 team. Late last year, it emerged that the former McLaren driver – who is now a major player in the US-based Indycar and wider motor racing scene – was poised to buy the […]
No ‘double diffuser’ loopholes with new cars
Feb.18 (GMM) Formula 1 has avoided a new ‘double diffuser’ situation with its new 2022 regulations, according to the FIA. In 2009, Brawn GP emerged from the ashes of Honda’s shock withdrawal from F1 to shockingly ace the all-new aerodynamic rules – and ultimately win the title against all odds. With Formula 1 now undergoing […]
Covid still endangering Japanese GP – report
Feb.18 (GMM) A dark cloud is moving overhead yet another confirmed race host on Formula 1’s bustling 2022 calendar. We reported this week that Melbourne, Montreal and Sochi may all be in doubt due to respective covid, political and conflict-related issues – and now Suzuka may also be in trouble. Jeroen Huis in ‘t Veld, […]
Masi axe a ‘gift’ on Mercedes launch day
Feb.18 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has backed the FIA’s decision to axe under-fire Formula 1 race director Michael Masi. Confirming speculation that changes would be ushered in as a result to the post-Abu Dhabi investigation, new FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem announced that two names – Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas – will succeed the Australian. […]
Talks underway as ‘radical’ Ferrari revealed
Feb.18 (GMM) Talks between Carlos Sainz and Ferrari are already underway. The news emerged on Thursday, as the Italian team and Spaniard Sainz joined teammate Charles Leclerc in revealing Ferrari’s 2022 car to the world. Team personnel used words like “radical”, “extreme” and “innovative” to describe the F1-75, which was under development for much longer […]
Latifi confirms F1 visibility issue for 2022
Feb.17 (GMM) Nicholas Latifi has confirmed that driver visibility has taken a step backwards for 2022. Fellow F1 driver Lando Norris said this week that the cockpit view is “different” this year due to the larger wheels and nearby bodywork fairings. “That could become a problem on circuits like Monaco or Singapore,” he said. Latifi […]
‘Everyone talking’ about Miami GP – Grosjean
Feb.17 (GMM) Miami is buzzing with anticipation ahead of the Floridian metropolis’ inaugural Formula 1 street race. That is the news from former F1 driver Romain Grosjean, who recently relocated his family from Europe to Miami for his US-based Indycar career. The Frenchman told Canal Plus that he will attend the inaugural May race at […]
Alesi excited about ‘very slim’ 2022 Ferrari
Feb.17 (GMM) F1 legend Jean Alesi says he got the world’s first look at the all-new 2022 Ferrari. Ahead of Thursday’s reveal and maiden test at Maranello and Fiorano, a supposedly leaked photo of the F1-75 began to do the rounds on the internet. Frenchman Alesi, who drove for the fabled Italian team in the […]