Apr.1 (GMM) It is “obvious” that both Red Bull and Ferrari operate in Formula 1 with de-facto number 1 drivers. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, who pushed back on the idea that modern F1 teams all now operate strict policies of driver equality. In fact, Red Bull’s Marko admits that the energy […]
F1 ‘will stay’ in Saudi Arabia – Domenicali
Apr.1 (GMM) Formula 1 will be returning to Saudi Arabia, the sport’s CEO Stefano Domenicali insists. Already this week, we reported that after the terror strikes in Jeddah during free practice at the nearby circuit last Friday, drivers were looking forward to post-even talks with F1 management. “Formula 1 has promised to reconsider their choices […]
Red Bull doesn’t want to ‘lose’ Gasly – Marko
Mar.31 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko admits he is thinking about giving Pierre Gasly another chance at Red Bull’s top Formula 1 team. The Frenchman, now 26, struggled alongside Max Verstappen in 2019 before his mid-season relegation, where he is now the solid team leader at the junior outfit Alpha Tauri. But Gasly, who sensationally won […]
Sainz still ‘very close’ to new Ferrari deal
Mar.31 (GMM) Carlos Sainz is still inching towards a new contract to keep racing at Ferrari beyond 2022. The 27-year-old Spaniard was initially signed as Sebastian Vettel’s replacement on a two year deal, leaving open the possibility that Mick Schumacher could step up for 2023. However, with championship leader Charles Leclerc and Sainz proving such […]
F1 development race already heating up
Mar.31 (GMM) A fierce development race is about to heat up in Formula 1. While that is nothing unusual for the sport, the all-new and revolutionary 2022 regulations are – and Ferrari is already worried the $140 million budget cap will be a severe hurdle. “It is not a question of when we will be […]
Mercedes ‘not writing off 2022 title’ – Marko
Mar.30 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says he is more than happy that Red Bull has a new title protagonist to fight against in 2022. Last year, the Max Verstappen versus Lewis Hamilton battle was historically intense, resulting in bad blood between the teams that is likely to be permanent. Marko says it’s all very different […]
Gasly ‘convinced’ of second top-team chance
Mar.30 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says he is “convinced” that he is destined to reunite with a top Formula 1 team. The Frenchman, now 26, actually got his big chance with Red Bull Racing in 2019 – only to relegated back to the junior outfit after struggling alongside Max Verstappen. But he told Canal Plus that […]
F1 to confirm Saudi Arabia GP contract safe
Mar.30 (GMM) Formula 1 intends to keep racing in Saudi Arabia. After reluctantly agreeing to continue with last weekend’s event in Jeddah following nearby drone and missile attacks, the drivers said they were looking forward to much-needed talks about the future of the deal beyond 2022. “Formula 1 has promised to reconsider their choices for […]
Mosley ended his life with firearm – inquest
Mar.30 (GMM) Late former FIA president Max Mosley took his own life with a firearm last May, a London inquest has found. At the time, it was thought the 81-year-old former F1 team boss and close associate of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone had succumbed to cancer. But Westminster Coroner’s Court has in fact recorded […]
F1 must enforce budget cap for 2022 title race – Binotto
Mar.30 (GMM) Mattia Binotto says Formula 1 needs to ensure that top teams are sticking with the budget cap rules. After the opening two grands prix of the new rules era, it is clear that another new title duel is brewing up – this time between Red Bull and Ferrari while Mercedes tries to claw […]
Stroll just ‘burning money’ in F1 – Kolles
Mar.29 (GMM) Lawrence Stroll is simply “burning money” with a Formula 1 project that “won’t work”. That is the scathing prediction of Colin Kolles, who once ran the Silverstone based team prior to its ownership by the Canadian fashion billionaire. Now called Aston Martin, the team is languishing on the 2022 grid despite the injection […]
Magnussen ‘shows Schumacher how high the bar is’
Mar.29 (GMM) The “pressure” of matching up with Kevin Magnussen triggered Mick Schumacher’s high speed crash and hospitalisation in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian GP. The 23-year-old admitted he simply made a mistake that ultimately cost him his place on the Jeddah grid, just a week after being similarly humbled by eleventh-hour new teammate Magnussen […]
Red Bull to slash car weight for Imola
Mar.29 (GMM) Red Bull could speed ahead of Ferrari after next weekend’s Australian GP. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, after world champion Max Verstappen only managed to beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in Saudi Arabia after an intense battle. “Ferrari are fast in all conditions, regardless of track temperature or tyre. Our car […]
Top drivers say F1 not ready to scrap DRS
Mar.29 (GMM) Top Formula 1 drivers say the sport is not ready to drop the overtaking aid DRS. The opening two races of the 2022 ‘ground effect’ rules era kicked off with rave reviews, with chasing and passing a rival car made notably easier. Some have argued that the new rules are so effective that, […]
Villeneuve, Schumacher, write off Mercedes title
Mar.29 (GMM) 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve thinks Mercedes’ world title hopes are already over in 2022. Although only two races have passed, it is clear that Ferrari and Red Bull are significantly ahead – with other teams potentially also in front of the reigning constructors’ champions. “Are we among the top teams in any […]
Alonso eyes ‘two or three’ more F1 seasons
Mar.28 (GMM) It could be up to “seven years” before Renault-owned Alpine finally join the fight for the world championship at the very front of Formula 1. The French team has made much of Alonso’s so-called ‘El Plan’ for victories and titles, and the 2022 car does look to be one of the best at […]
Magnussen pushed to physical limits in Jeddah
Mar.28 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen pushed to the limit of his physical fitness last weekend in Saudi Arabia. It was the Dane’s second Formula 1 race in the space of a fortnight since losing his Haas race seat to Nikita Mazepin after the 2020 season. Jeddah was a particularly tough race on even the most seasoned […]
Schumacher ‘shocked’ over F1 CEO’s Saudi stance
Mar.28 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali has issued a strident defence of Formula 1’s controversial decision to race on in Saudi Arabia after the events of Friday. Within mere kilometres of the Jeddah street circuit, Iran-backed rebels attacked Saudi oil interests with drones and missiles, prompting emergency meetings for the F1 circus and a near-boycott from the […]
Schumacher was ‘ready to drive’ after crash
Mar.28 (GMM) Mick Schumacher was “ready to drive” on Sunday, despite spending time in hospital after being airlifted from the Jeddah circuit the day before. The German had been manually extracted from his split-in-half Haas car by doctors, put into an ambulance and ultimately taken by helicopter for hospital checks in a 33G smash on […]
Marko doubts Mercedes can catch up in 2022
Mar.28 (GMM) Mercedes will struggle to intervene in the new Max Verstappen versus Charles Leclerc head-to-head for the 2022 title. “It’s a new rivalry now,” claims Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko, outlining his view that Ferrari’s Leclerc has picked up where Lewis Hamilton left off at the end of last season. “Mercedes is at least […]