Feb.10 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko is welcoming Lewis Hamilton back to Formula 1 after the seven time world champion’s controversial title loss of 2021. Elements of the British media are still up in arms about the FIA’s handling of the Abu Dhabi finale, as new radio messages about the highly controversial safety car period surface. […]
Norris becomes F1’s third-highest earner
Feb.10 (GMM) With Red Bull revealing a reportedly $500 million new title sponsorship deal, McLaren driver Lando Norris is also counting his millions this week. The 22-year-old has reportedly leapt up to third place in Formula 1’s earnings rankings – behind only Lewis Hamilton and world champion Max Verstappen – by signing a new contract […]
Red Bull launch ‘purely marketing’ – Marko
Feb.10 (GMM) Red Bull’s official presentation of its 2022 car was actually just a “marketing campaign” because key technical details were not on display. “It’s purely a marketing campaign,” Dr Helmut Marko confirmed to Sport1. It is a trend likely to be repeated among the top teams ahead of the all-new regulations era, with Marko […]
Horner’s Mercedes factory tour unlikely
Feb.9 (GMM) An epic troll carried out by Red Bull boss Christian Horner appears to have hit a snag. Many observers giggled when it emerged that the Briton had won a more than $5000 bid at an awards show to secure a guided tour of arch rival Mercedes’ Brackley headquarters. “I’d like to take Adrian […]
Ferrari’s tobacco sponsorship definitely over
Feb.9 (GMM) The departure of tobacco giant Philip Morris from Formula 1 appears to be complete. The controversial ‘Mission Winnow’ campaign, designed to divert attention from overt advertising of Marlboro cigarettes, has not only run its course – Philip Morris has reportedly turned its back on the Ferrari deal altogether. At a recent private test […]
Vettel asks for rallying career ‘chance’
Feb.9 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is not ruling out taking a closer look at the world of rallying. At 34, the German is a quadruple world champion who now finds himself in the middle of the grid with Aston Martin – and regularly speaking out about environmental issues. Some believe Vettel’s Formula 1 career is winding […]
No more F1 ‘kneeling’ ceremony – Domenicali
Feb.9 (GMM) Formula 1 has called an end to the pre-race ‘kneeling’ ceremony that became commonplace during the covid-marred era of the past two seasons. As the world begins to find its feet after two long years of restrictions and fundamental societal changes, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says drivers will no longer gather for their […]
F1 title rivals ‘need a year off’ – Webber
Feb.9 (GMM) Max Verstappen has questioned how upset his 2021 title nemesis should be about missing out on his eighth world championship. After a long period of radio silence and speculation about his retirement, Lewis Hamilton is now back at work at Mercedes’ Brackley HQ. Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko admits Verstappen, 24, also struggled […]
Alfa Romeo denies 2022 car running late
Feb.8 (GMM) Alfa Romeo has played down fears its 2022 car is running late. The Sauber-run team announced that it will launch its car for the all-new regulations on February 27 – some days after the end of the first test in Barcelona. However, following a fan and media backlash, the Swiss-based team subsequently clarified […]
Gasly ‘ready’ for ‘next step’ in F1 – Red Bull
Feb.8 (GMM) Pierre Gasly is “ready” for the “next step” in his Formula 1 career. Those words of Red Bull sporting boss Jonathan Wheatley will be music to the ears of the 26-year-old French driver, who has been outspoken about his disappointment at not being invited to return to the premier team. Gasly is now […]
German circuits not giving up on F1
Feb.8 (GMM) Germany’s famous two Formula 1 circuits are not giving up on hosting grands prix. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently singled out the German market as one of his biggest disappointments, insisting he sees no great desire for a local circuit to re-join the calendar. But Hockenheim managing director Jorn Teske hit back at […]
Father hits back at ‘Max is Belgian’ narrative
Feb.8 (GMM) World champion Max Verstappen’s father has hit back at attempts within Belgium to claim the now world-famous 24-year-old Dutchman as their own. Verstappen was actually born in Hasselt, Belgium – and his Belgian mother, Sophie Kumpen, was a well known international kart driver. Jos Verstappen, a former Formula 1 driver, is Dutch – […]
‘Patient’ McLaren plays down 2022 title hopes
Feb.8 (GMM) McLaren is not yet ready to take on the very top teams in Formula 1. Formerly a reliable world championship contender, the Woking based team has hit leaner times more recently but finished behind ‘big three’ Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari in 2021. However, team boss Andreas Seidl says McLaren is only now […]
F1 team bosses admit Masi role-change likely
Feb.8 (GMM) Two Formula 1 team bosses are hinting that changes to race director Michael Masi’s role are likely for 2022. F1’s governing body, newly headed by FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem, is currently conducting an investigation into the controversial outcome of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s title finale of 2021. “I’m not here to […]
‘Doubts’ about Ferrari ‘aerodynamics’ – insider
Feb.8 (GMM) There are signs of early trouble with Ferrari’s all-new car for the radical 2022 regulations. According to well-known Italian F1 insider Leo Turrini, there are no such concerns about the fabled Maranello team’s progress with its new power unit. “As far as I know, Ferrari is 100 percent sure that they were able […]
Launched 2022 Haas car not up-to-date – boss
Feb.7 (GMM) Gunther Steiner admits the published images of Haas’ all-new car for 2022 are already outdated. The small American team has become the first to ‘launch’ a radically different car for the brand new regulations, with a series of images published online. However, team boss Steiner warned Haas’ Formula 1 rivals against taking too […]
Sprint race format for 2022 still unclear – Steiner
Feb.7 (GMM) Gunther Steiner admits he isn’t sure if Formula 1’s ‘sprint qualifying’ trial has failed. With the 2022 season looming, time is running out for the FIA to negotiate with teams who are demanding a slight relaxation of the budget cap rules to cope with the extra cost of a second race per ‘sprint’ […]
More ‘intensity’ makes Verstappen’s career ‘limited’
Feb.7 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has all but confirmed his intention to race in 2022 with a social media post declaring that he is “back” after a long period of radio silence. “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!” the seven time world champion declared as the caption to a photo of himself standing at the top […]
‘Difficulties’ possible over Russian livery – Steiner
Feb.7 (GMM) Team boss Gunther Steiner has admitted he may face “difficulties” for once again agreeing to a Russian flag-inspired livery for Haas in 2022. With Russian Nikita Mazepin at the wheel, and his father’s company Uralkali as the title sponsor, the small American team already ran with a livery based on the white, blue […]
‘No special details’ revealed at car launch – Marko
Feb.4 (GMM) Red Bull won’t be putting “any special details” of its all-new car for 2022 on display when it is launched next Wednesday. It looks set to be Formula 1’s first look at a car for the brand new regulations era, with the other teams to follow with official reveals throughout February. However, Red […]