Dec.2 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is facing a massive financial windfall by selling his entire Formula 1 car collection. The former F1 supremo, 94, has been amassing one of the world’s most impressive and valuable collections of grand prix cars throughout his life – with the tally standing at 69 single seaters, housed in a huge […]
‘Obvious’ Ocon wants to sit out Abu Dhabi – Alpine
Dec.2 (GMM) Alpine’s team boss says it’s “obvious” Esteban Ocon wants to vacate his cockpit with immediate effect. The Frenchman, whose relationship with the team hit the rocks mid-season, prompting him to sign for Haas for 2025, has been suggesting for several grands prix that his car is no longer as fast as teammate Pierre […]
Alonso says he can be ‘too confident’ in F1
Dec.2 (GMM) With rumours swirling about Lewis Hamilton’s pace, age and motivation, F1 veteran Fernando Alonso insists he does not personally suffer from crises of confidence. 39-year-old Hamilton, bound for Ferrari from 2025, raised eyebrows in Qatar by frankly admitting that he is “not fast anymore”. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff defended his driver, insisting that […]
Perez to make ‘own decision’ about F1 future
Dec.2 (GMM) Red Bull officials have reiterated that Franco Colapinto is unlikely to join either of the energy drink company’s two Formula 1 teams in 2025. Sergio Perez’s miserable run of form, amid ever-mounting pressure, continued in Qatar on Sunday, as he spun out of the race. Team boss Christian Horner hinted that the Mexican […]
Verstappen had ‘mature’ meeting with FIA president
Dec.2 (GMM) FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has hit back hard at Formula 1 drivers complaining about his current governance of the sport. Recently, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association penned a letter complaining about penalties for swearing – and demanding to know how financial penalties are spent. Multiple drivers say the FIA has yet to […]
Verstappen admits he ‘can’t stand’ George Russell
Dec.2 (GMM) Max Verstappen unleashed on Mercedes driver George Russell after winning the Qatar GP. The Red Bull driver was fastest in qualifying a day earlier. But he was given a 1-place grid penalty – dropping him behind Russell – when Verstappen was deemed to have driven too slowly on a slowing-down lap, disrupting Russell […]
Qualifying format ‘needs to change’ – Alonso
Dec.1 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has renewed his criticism of the weekend format in Formula 1. The sprint race in Qatar was a notably unexciting affair, with many blaming the sweeping and constant fast corners, making passing very difficult. “It’s difficult to overtake on this circuit,” F1 veteran Alonso, who drives for Aston Martin, told Spanish […]
Zhou’s manager to become Cadillac F1 boss – report
Dec.1 (GMM) Guanyu Zhou might have a real chance at a race seat with the new-in-2026 Formula 1 team Cadillac. The Chinese driver, who like his current Audi-Sauber teammate Valtteri Bottas has lost his race seat for 2025, claimed days ago that Ferrari is “very interested” in signing him as a reserve driver. Zhou, 25, […]
Marko plays down Colapinto’s Red Bull chances
Dec.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has played down Franco Colapinto’s chances of securing a Red Bull race seat in 2025. It is clear that, despite Sergio Perez’s protestations, the Mexican driver’s continuing performance struggles could lead to his exit at Red Bull Racing. “We lost the constructors’ title this year, unless a huge miracle happens,” […]
Mick Schumacher ‘never got a chance’ in F1 – Wolff
Dec.1 (GMM) Mick Schumacher “never really got a chance” to show what he can do in Formula 1. That’s the lament of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who took the son of the great Michael Schumacher on as a reserve driver in 2023 and 2024 following the demise of his race career with Haas. Mercedes declared […]
Wolff defends ‘slow’ and despondent Lewis Hamilton
Dec.1 (GMM) Toto Wolff has defended Lewis Hamilton, after the seven time world champion frankly admitted that he is simply “slow” in the 2024 Mercedes. Once one of Formula 1’s strongest ever qualifiers, the Ferrari-bound Briton’s record against George Russell this year is a dire 5-18 – with the gap blowing out to half a […]
Sainz defends ‘gentleman’ Norris amid 2024 ‘criticism’
Dec.1 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has jumped to the defence of his former McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Norris’ tussle with Max Verstappen for the world championship ended with the latter’s fourth consecutive title, with many having criticised the McLaren driver’s mistakes and alleged mental weaknesses throughout his 2024 campaign. The 25-year-old led throughout Saturday’s Qatar sprint […]
Audi, with Qatar, to be ‘major power’ in F1 – Haug
Nov.30 (GMM) Qatar, via its sovereign wealth fund, is tipped to eventually own a full half of Audi’s Formula 1 team. Swiss-based Sauber, and the Qatar Investment Authority, used the occasion of the Middle Eastern state’s grand prix this weekend to announce that Qatar is buying “a significant minority stake” in the team that will […]
Sainz thinks he’s as good as Leclerc, Hamilton
Nov.30 (GMM) Carlos Sainz insists he is “100 percent convinced” that he is as good as both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Seven time world champion Hamilton is arriving at Maranello next year to oust and replace Sainz, with the Spaniard having to settle for Williams. As a gesture to Sainz, Ferrari boss team boss […]
Red Bull not ‘overlooking’ Tsunoda – Marko
Nov.30 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko insists Red Bull is not “overlooking” Yuki Tsunoda as a candidate to potentially replace the underperforming Sergio Perez next year. While Max Verstappen squeezed out P6 in sprint qualifying in Qatar, Perez’s woes continued as he lines up ten places lower. The Mexican, in part, blamed a run-in on track […]
Hamilton ‘didn’t want’ post-season Ferrari test
Nov.29 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton told his future Ferrari boss, Frederic Vasseur, that he didn’t want to make his debut in a red cockpit in the post-Abu Dhabi GP test. While the man he is replacing, Carlos Sainz, will be in action for his new team – Williams – after the season finale, Hamilton will be […]
Ocon hopes more F1 staff don’t ‘get sick’
Nov.29 (GMM) The final portion of the 2024 calendar has been “particularly difficult” for travelling team staff, according to Esteban Ocon. Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg was absent from the Qatar paddock on ‘media day’ Thursday as he has a cold. World champion Max Verstappen predicted that the long haul from Las Vegas to Qatar would […]
‘Personal’ relationship with Leclerc still good – Sainz
Nov.29 (GMM) Carlos Sainz insists he still has a “very, very good” personal relationship with his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. After the chequered flag in Las Vegas, Leclerc was furious as he left his radio line open and unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade after Sainz apparently passed him against team orders. Days later in Qatar, Leclerc […]
Verstappen puzzled over FIA staff replacements
Nov.29 (GMM) Max Verstappen admits he has some concerns about the continuing staff exodus at Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA. Hot on the heels of race director Niels Wittich’s ousting by controversial FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the next sudden departures are senior steward Tim Mayer, and fellow top official Janette Tan. “I’m in […]
Tsunoda lacks ‘consistency’ for Perez’s seat – Marko
Nov.29 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda lacks the “consistency” required to be a strong contender to replace Sergio Perez next year. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s powerful team advisor who has been warning Perez that his race seat alongside Max Verstappen will be reviewed after Abu Dhabi. “There will be a meeting […]