Aug.23 (GMM) George Russell has emerged from Formula 1’s summer break looking like a renewed title threat, beating championship leader Kimi Antonelli throughout the Dutch GP weekend so far. The newly engaged Mercedes driver took Sprint pole and victory at Zandvoort and will start the main race from second, again ahead of Antonelli in third. […]
Sick Verstappen sees ‘fundamental’ Red Bull problems
Aug.23 (GMM) Max Verstappen has revealed he has been ill throughout his home Grand Prix weekend, even as stand-in teammate Liam Lawson has impressed by staying unusually close to him at Zandvoort. “I’ve been feeling unwell all weekend,” said the quadruple world champion on Saturday. “And today it feels like I’ve gotten even worse.” “It’s […]
Domenicali hints V8 return could move to 2030
Aug.23 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali has hinted that Max Verstappen’s new Red Bull deal through 2030 may not be unrelated to Formula 1’s increasingly serious discussions about bringing forward the next engine regulations. The F1 CEO told De Telegraaf he was delighted Verstappen had committed long-term. “For me personally, this is fantastic news, I’m very happy […]
Travel chaos hits final Dutch GP
Aug.23 (GMM) Formula 1’s final Dutch GP at Zandvoort has been hit by major transport chaos, with thousands of spectators struggling to reach the circuit for the sold-out farewell weekend. Because access by car is heavily restricted, huge numbers of fans rely on trains from Amsterdam, with services normally running every few minutes and carrying […]
Wolff leaves Verstappen door open for future
Aug.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Max Verstappen’s decision to stay with Red Bull was logical, but the Mercedes boss is still unwilling to rule out another attempt to sign him later. Speaking to Dutch media at Zandvoort, Wolff expanded on his initially awkward reaction to Verstappen’s new contract through 2030. “It actually seemed logical to […]
Honda upgrade falls short at Zandvoort
Aug.23 (GMM) Honda’s heavily anticipated engine upgrade may not have delivered the step Aston Martin hoped for at Zandvoort, with drivability problems now emerging as the main weakness. Lance Stroll was blunt after qualifying P19. “Do I feel any improvement? Not really.” “Maybe a small step forward, but not enough. Chassis-wise, I think we’re doing […]
Sainz says ‘quality’ is Williams’ biggest weakness
Aug.23 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says Williams’ biggest problem is no longer simply car concept or weight, but the consistency and quality of the parts coming out of the factory. The newly re-signed Spaniard is enduring another difficult weekend at Zandvoort and says apparently identical components are not always behaving the same way. “What we need […]
Ocon says Haas problem is car inconsistency
Aug.23 (GMM) Esteban Ocon believes his improved Zandvoort weekend supports his long-running claim that inconsistent Haas machinery, rather than simply driver performance, has distorted the comparison with Oliver Bearman this season. The Frenchman’s 2027 seat is under increasing scrutiny, with Leonardo Fornaroli, Rafael Camara, Jack Doohan and even Yuki Tsunoda all linked with Haas. But […]
Ocon future uncertain, boss denies Haas losing interest
Aug.22 (GMM) Esteban Ocon’s future at Haas remains uncertain as the team struggles through a difficult 2026 season and several drivers are linked with his seat for next year. Leonardo Fornaroli, Rafael Camara, Jack Doohan and even Yuki Tsunoda have all been mentioned as possible 2027 candidates, while Ocon has spent much of the year […]
Champion Norris rejects ‘party-boy’ image
Aug.22 (GMM) Lando Norris says the public image of him partying since becoming world champion does not reflect how seriously he is preparing for races. The McLaren driver has been seen socialising more frequently away from the circuit and spent part of the summer break with friends in Ibiza and Greece. But Norris says appearances […]
Alonso to meet with owner Stroll for contract talks
Aug.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says talks over his Aston Martin future are now looming, just as the team’s heavily revised Honda-powered package showed fresh problems at Zandvoort. The 45-year-old Spaniard had previously indicated that a decision would come around the summer, but now says there is no firm deadline. “I just got back from vacation, […]
‘No new prospects’ for German GP return
Aug.22 (GMM) A return of the German GP is back on Formula 1’s radar, although both Hockenheim and the Nurburgring are playing down any suggestion that a deal is imminent. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently said Hockenheim could return “in the medium term”, although he also warned that further investment would be required. Former Haas […]
Marquez advice helped keep Hadjar out of Dutch GP
Aug.22 (GMM) Isack Hadjar reportedly wanted to race at Zandvoort despite his wrist injury, but advice from MotoGP champion Marc Marquez helped convince him not to take the risk. Canal Plus journalist Julien Febreau says Hadjar and Marquez share physiotherapist Carlos Garcia, and that Marquez contacted the Red Bull driver after learning about the injury. […]
Wolff awkward over Verstappen as Mercedes moves on
Aug.22 (GMM) Toto Wolff gave a notably awkward response at Zandvoort when asked about Max Verstappen’s new Red Bull contract, despite the Dutchman’s long-running links with Mercedes finally appearing to be over. “What can I say about it?” the Mercedes boss laughed when Viaplay raised Verstappen’s deal through 2030. “I’m sure Raymond (Vermeulen) did a […]
Bottas insists he has Cadillac ‘ticket’ for 2027
Aug.22 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has again dismissed speculation that Colton Herta could replace him at Cadillac next season, insisting his 2027 seat is already secured. The Finn turns 37 between Zandvoort and Monza, but told Ilta-Sanomat that age is not becoming a factor. “This is a good age to continue my career,” said the former […]
Aston strengthens ownership, Alonso future waits
Aug.21 (GMM) Aston Martin has added another powerful figure to its ownership structure just as Honda’s latest engine upgrade arrives at Zandvoort and Fernando Alonso begins talks over whether he will still be racing in 2027. Robert Wood Johnson, the former US Ambassador to the United Kingdom and an experienced sports investor, has acquired a […]
Verstappen commits to 2030 with ‘pay rise’
Aug.21 (GMM) Max Verstappen has ended months of speculation by signing a new Red Bull contract through 2030, although the Dutchman says his biggest uncertainty was never another team – it was whether to continue in Formula 1 at all. The timing of the new expiry is significant because it coincides with the expected arrival […]
Hamilton set to extend Ferrari deal – report
Aug.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is expected to extend his Ferrari stay through 2027, with Spanish Formula 1 journalist Carlos Miquel claiming an announcement could come before Monza. Speaking on El Partidazo de COPE, Miquel said the seven-time world champion’s future is effectively settled. “Make a note of one name who is definitely going to extend […]
Cadillac denies sale rumours, drivers back shake-up
Aug.21 (GMM) Cadillac has moved quickly to deny suggestions its Formula 1 project could be sold, while Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas both indicated at Zandvoort that significant internal change was needed. Speculation followed mounting scrutiny around TWG Global founder Mark Walter, whose wider business empire is under investigation by US federal prosecutors. A spokesman […]
F1 still waiting on Qatar, Abu Dhabi
Aug.21 (GMM) Formula 1 will wait until after mid-September before deciding whether Qatar and Abu Dhabi can safely remain at the end of the 2026 calendar, with Stefano Domenicali confirming that F1 is now coordinating with other major championships. The F1 CEO revealed that the sport is watching how other series respond to the continuing […]