Jun.22 (GMM) Formula 1 is hoping for “completely full” grandstands in Austria next weekend. However, local authorities in charge of the region surrounding the Red Bull Ring have only approved a crowd of 15,000 for the first leg of the double-header this weekend. “The sophisticated concept contains strict measures for health protection,” the authorities announced. […]
Mazepin resisting ‘number 2’ status at Haas
Jun.22 (GMM) Formula 1 is witnessing a battle for team supremacy among Haas’ two rookie drivers in 2021. That is the view of Nikolai Vetrov, who is best known in the paddock for being Sergey Sirotkin’s former manager. He was asked about another Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin, who has ended the past two races amid […]
Aston Martin ‘rivals’ may have broken tyre rules
Jun.22 (GMM) Otmar Szafnauer hopes the outcome of the French GP will “silence” those who suspect Aston Martin may have been finding ways around the tyre-usage guidelines. After Baku, where Lance Stroll and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen suffered near-identical high-speed blowouts, Pirelli reacted by suggesting the teams had found clever ways to run lower tyre […]
Abu Dhabi to alter F1 layout for 2021 finale
Jun.22 (GMM) Abu Dhabi is set to undergo key circuit layout changes ahead of the 2021 Formula 1 season finale. Saif Al-Noaimi, CEO of the Yas Marina venue, reveals that officials have “listened” to criticism and will now make “some exciting changes” in the coming months. “We are looking to improve the performance of the […]
Bottas told of Mercedes exit ‘long ago’ – Doornbos
Jun.22 (GMM) Two former F1 drivers think Valtteri Bottas is definitely leaving Mercedes. Toto Wolff tried to downplay the Finn’s expletive-filled radio rant in the French GP as a “great” thing because he is “finally letting something out”. But according to Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos, something doesn’t add up. “Why didn’t he (Bottas) say […]
Red Bull denies fitting more powerful Honda engine
Jun.22 (GMM) Red Bull has rubbished claims that Max Verstappen is racing ahead of Mercedes because of an improved Honda engine. While Honda did supply the Dutchman and Sergio Perez with fresh engines at Paul Ricard, reports that it allowed Red Bull to crank out more power were denied by team boss Christian Horner. “They […]
‘Only technical problems’ can stop Verstappen – Marko
Jun.22 (GMM) Max Verstappen is on course to beat Lewis Hamilton to his first world championship in 2021, according to the international media. After a thrilling race at Paul Ricard, the Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung said Red Bull’s Verstappen “conquered another piece of Mercedes’ territory”. Spain’s AS concluded: “Hamilton is no longer the boss.” Another […]
Schumacher to use ‘elbows’ in Mazepin fights
Jun.21 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has vowed to “talk to the team again” about Nikita Mazepin’s aggression, whilst vowing to use his “elbows” in their next wheel-to-wheel scrap. Fresh from their last-lap incident at Baku, Schumacher says his controversial fellow rookie and Haas teammate Mazepin pushed him off the circuit during the French GP. “I think […]
Wolff says Bottas’ radio outburst ‘great’
Jun.21 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Valtteri Bottas’ foul-mouthed rant at Mercedes’ strategy team during the French GP was “great”. When the one-stop strategy ended his chances of a podium result, the Finnish driver exploded over the radio: “Why the f*ck does no one listen to me when I say it’s going to be a two-stopper?” […]
Boullier unsure about new French GP contract
Jun.21 (GMM) Eric Boullier says he cannot say whether Paul Ricard will agree a new contract with Formula 1. While the circuit hosted a thrilling French GP on Sunday, the event’s managing director Eric Boullier admitted the matter of selling more tickets to the public is an issue that needs addressing. “We have a contract […]
Higher tyre pressures may be hurting Ferrari – Binotto
Jun.21 (GMM) Ferrari needs to “quickly” get to the bottom of its French GP struggle in order to be competitive in 2022. That is the admission of the Maranello team’s drivers and also team boss Mattia Binotto, after none of the six Ferrari-powered cars scored even a single point at Paul Ricard. “Something went wrong,” […]
Red Bull warns Mercedes about front wing protest
Jun.21 (GMM) Red Bull has warned that it is serious about issuing a protest against the allegedly excessive flexibility of title rival Mercedes’ front wing. At Paul Ricard, powered by Mercedes’ complaint and amid stricter tyre pressure guidelines, new flexibility tests for the rear wing came into effect that reportedly aim primarily at Red Bull. […]
F1 drivers in ‘heated’ meeting with Pirelli
Jun.20 (GMM) Behind the scenes, some Formula 1 drivers got involved in a reportedly “heated” exchange with Pirelli and FIA officials at Paul Ricard. We reported earlier that the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association – representing all the drivers on the grid – boycotted a special meeting requested by Pirelli following the controversial Baku tyre blowouts. […]
Bottas’ winter decision deadline was ‘joke’ – Wolff
Jun.20 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he was “joking” when he declared that Mercedes’ decision about Valtteri Bottas’ future could be delayed until as late as February next year. Wolff, Bottas and Williams driver George Russell touched down at Paul Ricard amid swirling rumours that the decision has already been made to replace Bottas with Russell […]
Tsunoda ‘impetuous’ and ‘stubborn’ – Marko
Jun.20 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda continues to be “impetuous” and “stubborn”, according to Red Bull F1 supremo Dr Helmut Marko. The diminutive Japanese rookie has already attracted Marko’s notorious ire in 2021, and so the 21-year-old was relocated from the UK to Italy to be under Franz Tost’s strict tutelage. “The move to Italy was the […]
Todt ‘not a big fan’ of sprint qualifying
Jun.20 (GMM) FIA president Jean Todt admits he is “not a big fan” of the new sprint qualifying format. The short Saturday sprint race, which will determine the grid for Sunday’s grand prix, will make its debut at Silverstone next month as part of a three-event trial in 2021. F1 managing director Ross Brawn, however, […]
Schumacher enjoying media’s ‘puppy protection’
Jun.20 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is enjoying “puppy protection” by the Formula 1 media, according to former F1 driver Nick Heidfeld. Heidfeld, a fellow German, thinks the son of his former contemporary Michael Schumacher is “doing his job well so far” since debuting in 2021. “We can never forget what kind of scrutiny he is under,” […]
Hamilton slams Bottas chassis swap ‘myth’
Jun.20 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has slammed claims there is something fundamentally wrong with his chassis at Paul Ricard as a “myth”. After Baku, where Valtteri Bottas struggled so badly, it emerged that he had been assigned a new chassis for France – the one previously used by Hamilton. However, Hamilton then kicked off the Paul […]
New Williams boss ‘knows how to succeed’
Jun.19 (GMM) Jost Capito says “nothing has changed” at Williams despite the fact that he has been named the famous British team’s new boss. Late last year, in the wake of the departure of Claire and her team-founding father Sir Frank Williams, Volkswagen’s former motor racing chief was signed up to be the new Williams […]
Mercedes not ruling out chassis problem
Jun.19 (GMM) Mercedes has a “brand new” chassis in the luggage in the event that Lewis Hamilton rejected the car he was assigned for the French GP. Although the team insists the swap was always scheduled, Valtteri Bottas – already surrounded by speculation about his future – is this weekend at the wheel of the […]