Oct.19 (GMM) Mercedes deputy boss Bradley Lord has played down Kimi Antonelli’s first chance to clinch the 2026 world championship in Austin. Speaking on the Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show, Lord said the team is already expecting the inevitable “match point” questions on Thursday. “We’re in that very uncomfortable phase of the season where you […]
Komatsu rejects ‘Ferrari B-team’ label at Haas
Oct.19 (GMM) Ayao Komatsu has rejected suggestions Haas can now be regarded as Ferrari’s unofficial B-team as Rafael Camara joins Oliver Bearman and reserve driver Guanyu Zhou in the team’s increasingly Ferrari-linked driver structure. Camara has already been confirmed on a multi-year Haas deal from 2027, while Bearman’s continuation is not yet formally announced even […]
Abu Dhabi boss insists F1 finale will go ahead
Oct.19 (GMM) Abu Dhabi GP organisers insist the season finale will go ahead as planned despite continuing uncertainty around the Middle East security situation. Saif Al Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, the company that organises the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, told Gulf News there had been no change to preparations. “It’s happening,” he insisted. “It’s been […]
Sainz plays down Horner’s Red Bull claim
Oct.19 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has laughed off Christian Horner’s claim that he was seriously considered for a Red Bull return. Horner wrote in his new book that Sainz visited his home to discuss a possible move for 2026 and described the Spaniard as an experienced, hard-working team player. When asked about it by Marca at […]
Herta’s F1 hopes fade after difficult F2 season
Oct.19 (GMM) Colton Herta’s attempt to use Formula 2 as a route into Formula 1 has gone far worse than expected, with series boss Bruno Michel admitting the gap from IndyCar was underestimated. The American arrived in Europe after nine IndyCar wins and a runner-up championship finish, with a future race seat at Cadillac clearly […]
Alonso spotted Dakar testing after denying 2027 plan
Oct.19 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has now been spotted testing a Dakar car in Morocco, just days after categorically playing down reports that he could return to the famous rally in 2027. Spanish journalist Gerard Farre published footage of the Aston Martin driver testing an all-black Prodrive machine in the dunes around Merzouga. Mundo Deportivo says […]
Verstappen targets Spa 24 Hours after GT3 comeback
Oct.19 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he will try to make next year’s 24 Hours of Spa happen after completing his latest GT3 outing at Portimao. With no Formula 1 clash next year, the Red Bull driver left the door wide open. “I love Spa, of course, so I’ll try to make it work, as I […]
Honda overhaul linked to slow development rate
Oct.16 (GMM) Former Honda Formula 1 engine chief Yasuaki Asaki believes the manufacturer’s recent restructuring may reflect a conclusion that its current development rate is simply too slow to catch its rivals. Honda has made two significant changes recently, with Yoichiro Fukao replacing Tetsushi Kakuda as power unit development leader from October 1, while Keiichi […]
Malaysia considers rotating F1 return
Oct.16 (GMM) Malaysia’s desired Formula 1 comeback may not become an annual fixture after all, despite the success of this month’s race at Sepang. Following the 2026 return, with Sepang hosting the rescheduled Bahrain GP, Malaysian government figures had openly discussed bringing Formula 1 back on a permanent basis. But Youth and Sports Minister Dr […]
Ferrari readies final major upgrade for Austin
Oct.16 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur’s reluctance to declare Red Bull definitively Formula 1’s new benchmark now looks significant, with Ferrari preparing a substantial final upgrade of the season for Austin. Italian reports say the SF-26 will receive a new floor, revised sidepods and bodywork at the US Grand Prix, with some weight reduction also expected. It […]
Antonelli-Minardi case pulls Mercedes deeper in
Oct.16 (GMM) The legal battle between Kimi Antonelli and his former manager Giovanni Minardi has widened, with Mercedes now formally drawn into the case. Corriere dello Sport reports that the Bologna court has ordered both Antonelli and Mercedes to hand over copies of the contracts they signed, together with detailed accounting records covering payments made […]
Tsolov ready for F1 but 2027 seat still uncertain
Oct.16 (GMM) Formula 2 boss Bruno Michel says Nikola Tsolov is ready for Formula 1, but admits he does not know whether the Bulgarian will actually make the step next season. Tsolov remains in contention for a Racing Bulls seat, with Liam Lawson also still waiting to learn whether he will be retained. “Yes, I […]
F2 boss insists Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead
Oct.16 (GMM) Formula 1 is still officially planning to end the 2026 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but signs that contingency planning is becoming more serious are multiplying. Sources from Formula 1 told Diario Sport: “There are no changes, both races are confirmed on the calendar, as is the Imola circuit as a possible […]
Buenos Aires track surface boosts F1 return hopes
Oct.16 (GMM) Buenos Aires’ push to return to the Formula 1 calendar has taken another step forward, with the first tests of the new asphalt now completed at the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez. Soy Motor reports that an initial 120-metre section has been resurfaced as part of the wider renovation program, with the immediate […]
Komatsu says Ferrari link did not decide Camara deal
Oct.16 (GMM) Ayao Komatsu has played down the importance of Rafael Camara’s Ferrari connection after Haas formally confirmed the Brazilian for its 2027 Formula 1 lineup. Camara, a Ferrari Driver Academy member since 2021, will join fellow Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman on a multi-year deal. But Komatsu insisted the decision was based on performance. “Camara […]
Russell set for another grid penalty in Vegas
Oct.15 (GMM) George Russell is expected to take another grid penalty later this season, with Mercedes now targeting Las Vegas for an upgraded power unit component. Russell told Sky Deutschland that the new part had originally been considered for Austin, but plans changed after his Malaysia engine failure and subsequent Singapore replacement. “It will probably […]
Schumacher sees Hamilton-Ferrari ‘power struggle’
Oct.15 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher believes Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with Ferrari is becoming increasingly tense, describing signs of an internal power struggle around the seven time world champion. “I think things aren’t going quite smoothly between him and the team,” Schumacher said on Sky Deutschland. “There’s a bit of an internal power struggle going on. There’s […]
Spa fears Rwanda could squeeze out Belgian GP
Oct.15 (GMM) Rwanda’s arrival on the Formula 1 calendar has renewed fears that Spa-Francorchamps could eventually lose its place. Belgian broadcaster VRT notes that Spa is already set to rotate with Barcelona from 2028, while Rwanda has now secured a 10-year deal from the early 2030s. Play Sports commentator Gert Vermersch said the pressure on […]
Rosberg still rates Verstappen above Antonelli
Oct.15 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says Max Verstappen remains Formula 1’s best driver despite Kimi Antonelli standing on the brink of the world championship. “Max Verstappen is still the best driver in the sport,” the 2016 champion told RTL. Rosberg, the 2016 world champion, called the Red Bull driver “a phenomenon” after back-to-back wins, but said […]
Imola still ready as Middle East uncertainty returns
Oct.15 (GMM) Imola remains Formula 1’s emergency fallback despite Stefano Domenicali recently saying Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead, as the security situation in the Middle East worsens again. Domenicali told the Financial Times that the decision had been made to retain both races, but added: “Imola is the venue that, in the event […]