Oct.23 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko believes Racing Bulls should replace Liam Lawson with Nikola Tsolov for 2027. “I agree with Mateschitz’s phrase,” said Red Bull’s former junior driver program chief. “We don’t buy stars, we create them’.” “We’ve always strived to rely on our drivers to win Grand Prix races,” he told Krone newspaper. “With […]
Alonso plays down Dakar test speculation
Oct.23 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is still refusing to confirm a return to the Dakar Rally despite being spotted testing a rally-raid car in Morocco. “Every week I’m driving a different car,” he told reporters after being photographed last week driving a Prodrive-built prototype near Merzouga, with former Dakar winner Marc Coma also involved in the […]
Hockenheim not open to one-off F1 return only
Oct.23 (GMM) Hockenheim says it would consider stepping in if Formula 1 needs another replacement race because of the Middle East conflict – but only if it helps secure a proper return to the calendar. Sepang already replaced Bahrain earlier this month, while uncertainty remains around the scheduled Qatar and Abu Dhabi races – with […]
Renault agrees sale of Viry F1 engine division
Oct.23 (GMM) Renault has agreed to sell its historic Viry-Chatillon Formula 1 engine operation to Belgian engineering group Dumarey. The deal covers Alpine Racing SAS, its employees and the assets required to operate the site, with completion still subject to employee consultation and regulatory approval. Renault ended its works F1 engine program after 2025, with […]
Cadillac should sign Ocon for 2027 – Ralf
Oct.23 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher has gone further in his criticism of Valtteri Bottas, urging Cadillac to replace the Finn with the now-available Esteban Ocon. “I would definitely sign Ocon immediately,” Schumacher told Sky Deutschland. The former F1 driver stressed the criticism was sporting rather than personal. “I think the Bottas story is over now,” he […]
Wolff admits Mercedes succession plan taking shape
Oct.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted he is already planning how Mercedes will eventually operate without him at the helm. Speaking on the Cheeky Pint podcast, the Mercedes team boss and major shareholder said the goal is to build a structure that can survive his eventual step back. “For me, it’s important to do what’s […]
Verstappen says F1 bumps have damaged his spine
Oct.23 (GMM) Max Verstappen says medical checks have shown damage to the lower part of his spine as he renewed his criticism of the extreme bumps at the Circuit of The Americas. The Red Bull driver had joked in Singapore that he might require “a new spine” after Austin, but said on arrival in Texas […]
Schumacher fears Vasseur could quit over health
Oct.23 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher has raised the possibility that Frederic Vasseur could walk away from Ferrari for health reasons if the pressure continues. Speaking on Sky Deutschland, Schumacher said he had become concerned by Vasseur’s appearance and recent absence from an event. “I’m a little worried,” said the former F1 driver. “Fred Vasseur has lost […]
Sainz says Middle East confidence ‘premature’
Oct.23 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says Formula 1 may be too confident that the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and organisers of both races have all recently insisted preparations remain on course. But the regional situation continues to look […]
Marko defends Rwanda’s place on F1 calendar
Oct.22 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has defended Formula 1’s decision to bring Rwanda onto the calendar, despite a growing backlash over human rights and the war in neighbouring Congo. The new 10-year African GP deal has already drawn strong criticism from Amnesty International, which described it as a “sportswashing prize for the Rwandan authorities”. Human […]
Leclerc tops F1’s costly crash ranking
Oct.22 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has emerged as Formula 1’s most expensive ‘crash driver’ of 2026 so far, with Bild reporting that the Ferrari driver has caused over $2 million in damage. The ranking, compiled from estimated replacement-part costs, puts Leclerc narrowly ahead of Alex Albon and Oliver Bearman. His biggest hit came at Monza, where […]
Schumacher doubts Antonelli to win title in Austin
Oct.22 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher doubts Kimi Antonelli will actually clinch the world championship in Austin, even though the Mercedes driver arrives with his first mathematical match point. To secure it this weekend, Antonelli must win, with George Russell no higher than ninth and Lewis Hamilton no higher than fifth. Schumacher thinks that is unlikely, especially […]
Qatar insists F1 race remains on
Oct.22 (GMM) Qatar has joined Abu Dhabi in insisting its Formula 1 Grand Prix will go ahead despite the worsening security situation across the region. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Muhannadi, CEO of the Lusail circuit, said preparations are almost complete for both MotoGP in early November and Formula 1 later next month. “We are looking forward to […]
Red Bull’s late surge changes 2027 picture
Oct.22 (GMM) Red Bull’s late-season resurgence may owe more to making the RB22 predictable than simply adding more downforce. Auto Motor und Sport’s Michael Schmidt believes the team’s technical direction has changed significantly. “They’ve finally moved away from constantly trying to generate more downforce,” he said. “The Red Bull is now better balanced.” “It has […]
Massa Supreme Court hearing set for February
Oct.22 (GMM) Felipe Massa’s long-running legal fight over the 2008 Formula 1 championship has been given a new Supreme Court date in Britain. Globo Esporte first reported that the appeal brought by Formula One Management, the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone will be heard in February 2027. The UK Supreme Court case listing confirms the hearing […]
Marko produces message contradicting Horner claim
Oct.22 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has directly rejected Christian Horner’s claim that he failed to offer condolences after the death of Horner’s former partner, with a WhatsApp message now apparently backing him up. Horner had told Bild am Sonntag that Marko “didn’t even offer his condolences” after Beverley Allen, the mother of his daughter, died […]
Horner plays down Alpine comeback
Oct.22 (GMM) Christian Horner has played down the prospect of returning to Formula 1 with Alpine, despite previously being linked with a group interested in buying Otro Capital’s 24 percent stake in the team. Alpine confirmed earlier this year that Horner was among parties to have shown interest in Otro’s holding, while Flavio Briatore has […]
MotoGP joins F1 weekend for first time in Austin
Oct.21 (GMM) MotoGP will make its first appearance during a Formula 1 race weekend in Austin, as Liberty Media increasingly brings its two major racing properties together. Four premier-class bikes will run demonstration laps at COTA on Saturday ahead of F1 practice. MotoGP described it as “a landmark moment for global motorsport”, with the series […]
F1 fuel sensor supplier sued over patent claims
Oct.21 (GMM) A legal dispute has erupted over the fuel flow sensors fitted to Formula 1 cars, just days before the US GP in Austin. Bloomberg Law first reported that British manufacturer Sentronics Holdings has sued German rival Allengra GmbH in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas. Sentronics alleges Allengra’s ultrasonic […]
Mexico confident of extending F1 deal beyond 2028
Oct.21 (GMM) Mexican GP organisers are already confident Formula 1 will remain at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez beyond the end of its current contract in 2028. The existing agreement, signed in 2025, covers the 2026, 2027 and 2028 races. But race director Federico Gonzalez told EFE that discussions over a further extension are likely to […]