Oct.27 (GMM) F1 race director Michael Masi has ruled out making any immediate changes to the controversial ‘penalty points’ system. Multiple drivers have complained in recent days and weeks about the system whereby a range of errors and infractions – including breaching ‘track limits’ – earn them points on their super licence, which culminate in […]
Leclerc car developments slowing Vettel – Villeneuve
Oct.27 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve thinks all of Ferrari’s car development in 2020 has been done to suit Charles Leclerc. His comments come after team boss Mattia Binotto denied suggestions that the departing Sebastian Vettel is struggling because his car is no longer identical to Leclerc’s. But 1997 world champion Villeneuve thinks a better explanation is […]
Key departures would weaken Mercedes – Schumacher
Oct.27 (GMM) No Formula 1 team will be able to rival Mercedes’ continuing dominance in 2021, according to Ralf Schumacher. Red Bull is bullish about its hopes of closing the gap to the sport’s consistently best team and Lewis Hamilton, but former F1 driver Schumacher thinks any challenge will actually have to wait until 2022. […]
Portimao won by ‘Mercedes, not by Hamilton’
Oct.27 (GMM) Opinions remain split over how much credit Lewis Hamilton deserves for racing past Michael Schumacher’s all-time F1 record for race victories in Portimao. That is not because he is not a statistical great, with a record 92 wins to his name and on course to match Schumacher’s best ever tally of seven world […]
Hulkenberg ‘waiting for call’ from Helmut Marko
Oct.27 (GMM) Alex Albon only has “two or three races” to prove to Red Bull that he should keep his race seat for 2021. It is now an open secret that the energy drink company’s main F1 team is contemplating going outside of its own driver program by potentially signing Nico Hulkenberg or Sergio Perez […]
Red Bull warns Verstappen over ‘mongol’ insult
Oct.27 (GMM) Red Bull has told Max Verstappen to be more careful with his insults against rivals in future. The Dutch driver’s radio cries of “retard” and “mongol” after a clash with Lance Stroll in Portimao is attracting international attention. “Was the whole team briefed on your We Race As One initiative?” wondered Unro Janchiv, […]
Matching Ricciardo’s pace a ‘long process’ – Ocon
Oct.26 (GMM) Esteban Ocon admits it has been a “long process” to get back up to speed in Formula 1. In Portugal, rumours swirled in the paddock that Renault might look to another Frenchman – Pierre Gasly – for 2021, as Ocon’s results alongside the departing Daniel Ricciardo have been disappointing. However, 24-year-old Ocon finished […]
Atmosphere ‘relaxed’ after Haas news – Magnussen
Oct.26 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he has no hard feelings after being told he is not needed by the Haas team for 2021. The small American team is also ousting Romain Grosjean, in a move that clears the way for better funded drivers – reportedly Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher – to race next year. […]
Imola hopes F1 spectators not banned this weekend
Oct.26 (GMM) Organisers of this weekend’s race at Imola hope local authorities will not ban spectators from attending. The Italian circuit was recently granted permission to allow 13,000 spectators to attend amid strict anti-covid protocols. But with virus numbers rising across Italy and Europe more widely, it now seems possible that the authorities will withdraw […]
Vettel’s car ‘identical’ to Leclerc’s – Binotto
Oct.26 (GMM) Mattia Binotto insists that Sebastian Vettel is being supplied with a car that is “identical” to the one driven by his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. In Portugal, departing quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel finished tenth and a lap down compared to Leclerc in the sister car’s impressive fourth place. “You can see in […]
Hamilton’s market value ‘incredibly high’ – Wolff
Oct.26 (GMM) Toto Wolff admits that Lewis Hamilton’s market value is currently “incredibly high”. The six-time world champion, who is cruising towards equalling Michael Schumacher’s seven titles this year, broke Schumacher’s record of 91 wins in Portugal on Sunday. And yet, he is still yet to sign a new contract for 2021 and beyond. “I […]
Mongolian politician criticises Verstappen
Oct.26 (GMM) A Mongolian politician has questioned Red Bull’s commitment to Formula 1’s ‘We Race As One’ initiative. After a practice clash in Portugal, Max Verstappen let off a tirade of expletives against Lance Stroll on the radio, even calling him a “retard” and “mongol”. Afterwards, Verstappen said the fact that the politically incorrect insults […]
Gasly teammate to be named after Bahrain – Marko
Oct.26 (GMM) Pierre Gasly is staying at Alpha Tauri next year, according to Dr Helmut Marko. After another good performance in Portugal, the French driver was asked if he will be rewarded with a return to Red Bull’s senior team and he answered coyly: “We’ll see.” But Marko says he is definitely staying put. “Gasly […]
Ferrari can’t stop Red Bull engine – Wolff
Oct.26 (GMM) Ferrari won’t be able to block moves that would allow Red Bull to run its own works engine program from 2022. That is the claim of Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, who is surprising many in the paddock by lending his support to Red Bull’s push to take over the Honda IP and operations. “Even […]
Russell thinks Perez camp fuelling Williams rumours
Oct.26 (GMM) George Russell thinks rumours about his potential axing by Williams are being fuelled by the Sergio Perez camp. Throughout the Portimao weekend, speculation indicated that Williams’ new owners Dorilton Capital may expel Russell and replace him with Sergio Perez and his powerful Mexican backers. Russell is backed by the team’s engine supplier Mercedes, […]
Haas has ‘the worst car on the grid’ – Grosjean
Oct.25 (GMM) Haas’ 2021 car is “the worst” in Formula 1 at present. That is the blunt assessment of Romain Grosjean, who was speaking on the very same weekend that the small American team announced that both he and Kevin Magnussen will be ousted at the end of the year. In Portimao, Frenchman Grosjean qualified […]
Schumacher ‘absolutely ready’ for F1 debut
Oct.25 (GMM) Mick Schumacher insists he is “absolutely ready” to move into Formula 1 next year. With Haas ousting both Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean for 2021, the path is clear for Ferrari-backed Schumacher to become the latest famous son to make his F1 debut. “I feel absolutely ready for the next step,” the 21-year-old […]
Ocon hopes ‘brutal’ F1 spares George Russell
Oct.25 (GMM) Esteban Ocon is hoping the sometimes “brutal” world of Formula 1 does not expel George Russell. Following the Dorilton Capital takeover, acting Williams boss Simon Roberts in Portugal would not deny speculation the team is looking to replace Russell, 22, with the heavily Mexican-backed Sergio Perez for 2021. Perez would be paired with […]
Wolff supports Red Bull’s push to take over Honda IP
Oct.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff has emerged in support of Red Bull’s push to run its own works engine program from 2022. Ahead of a key meeting about F1’s engine situation on Monday, Red Bull officials have suggested the brand could quit the sport if it has to revert to being a mere engine customer after […]
Vitaly Petrov’s father assassinated in Russia
Oct.25 (GMM) Vitaly Petrov has abruptly vacated his post as a F1 steward this weekend following the apparent assassination of his father in Russia. The FIA announced on Saturday that Formula E safety car driver Bruno Correia has stepped up at Portimao to replace Petrov “due to a personal bereavement”. Multiple Russian reports claim that […]