Mar.2 (GMM) The next generation Formula E car should be able to beat a Formula 1 car off the line, according to series boss Alejandro Agag. Until now, F1 purists have dismissed the all-electric category on the basis that Formula 1 is head and shoulders faster in terms of ultimate pace. But Agag says the […]
Hamilton, Mercedes could split after 2021 – Coronel
Mar.2 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes could go their separate ways after the 2021 season, according to well-known Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel. After long and difficult negotiations, the two parties could only agree on a new one-year deal for 2021. It is rumoured Mercedes may sign up George Russell or Max Verstappen – or […]
Missing Alpine launch ‘doesn’t matter’ – Alonso
Mar.2 (GMM) It is travel restrictions that are preventing Fernando Alonso from attending the launch of his Formula 1 car for 2021 on Tuesday. The Spaniard, who is returning to the sport after a two-year sabbatical, broke his upper jaw and two teeth in a road cycling crash just over two weeks ago. It had […]
F1 fans ‘finding controversy everywhere’ – Popov
Mar.2 (GMM) Formula 1 is falling victim to “people who are finding controversy everywhere”. That is the view of Alexey Popov, the commentator for Russian broadcaster Match TV. He has already spoken out about the treatment of his countryman Nikita Mazepin, who has been the subject of a relentless social media attack in the wake […]
CEO admits Williams could lose Russell
Mar.2 (GMM) Jost Capito, the new Williams CEO, admits the British team could lose George Russell to Mercedes for 2022. 2021 is 23-year-old Russell’s third season in Formula 1 with Williams, but he got a taste of life in the fastest lane late last year when Lewis Hamilton had covid-19. “When he drove the Mercedes […]
Sainz plays down 18-inch tyre test crash reports
Mar.1 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has played down reports that he crashed last week whilst testing Ferrari’s new-for-2022 18-inch tyres. Eyewitnesses claimed that Ferrari’s new Spanish driver crashed during the Pirelli test at Jerez. “I don’t know how much I can say about that according to the contract,” Sainz is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick. […]
Schumacher hits back at racism criticism
Mar.1 (GMM) Mick Schumacher says his stance about racism has been “misinterpreted”. Last week, the Haas rookie flirted with controversy by answering “no comment” when asked by La Stampa newspaper to talk about F1 and Lewis Hamilton’s political activism. Some social media users lashed out at his silence on the highly-charged topic, prompting the son […]
Alonso to sit out Alpine launch
Mar.1 (GMM) Fernando Alonso will sit out the launch of Alpine’s 2021 car. The Spaniard recently underwent surgery for an upper jaw fracture and two broken teeth following a road cycling crash. His manager Flavio Briatore said Alonso was not able to speak for “only one day” due to having to wear a special recovery […]
Ferrari waiting for sprint race ‘details’
Mar.1 (GMM) Two more F1 drivers have urged Formula 1 to proceed with caution with the ‘sprint race’ trials in 2021. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is determined to finalise the details of the three-weekend trial – set for Montreal, Monza and Brazil – prior to the season opener in Bahrain later this month. “We are […]
Magnussen not missing ‘strange’ F1 atmosphere
Mar.1 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he is not yet missing the “strange atmosphere” of Formula 1. The Dane lost his Haas seat at the end of last year but he claims he did not fight too hard to find another seat in the midfield. “It can be a pretty hostile environment,” he told the WEC […]
Binotto won’t lead Ferrari’s Le Mans program
Mar.1 (GMM) Mattia Binotto says he will not be in charge of Ferrari’s new Le Mans program for 2023. The Maranello marque shocked the racing world by announcing its forthcoming return to the premier category of the fabled world sportscar series. But Binotto denied it is just a way to redeploy resources for the new […]
F1 turns down vaccine offer amid $400m loss
Mar.1 (GMM) Formula 1 has turned down an offer to get closer to its pre-covid days by getting vaccinated by the Bahraini government. Officials of the season opening grand prix at Sakhir, who will also host pre-season testing this month, have written to the sport offering members of the travelling circus the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. “As […]
Teams to get more engine freedom in 2025
Mar.1 (GMM) Manufacturers will get more freedom to experiment in the area of energy recovery under the new rules for 2025. Currently, in a process being led by the FIA, the future of the engine format is being discussed within Formula 1. “We have to be carbon neutral,” said F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn. “The […]
Binotto won’t attend all races in 2021
Mar.1 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has confirmed reports that he will not attend every race in 2021. The Ferrari boss stayed at Maranello on several grand prix weekends last year, and he will once again be replaced trackside on occasion by Laurent Mekies this season. “I will of course be there at the beginning when it […]
‘Nothing mysterious’ about 2021 Red Bull – Marko
Mar.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has denied that Red Bull is being highly secretive about its 2021 car. The team launched its 2021 car last week but the photos put online of the Silverstone shakedown were of the 2019 model which was driven on the same day by Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. It has […]
Team owner says Hamilton to Aston Martin ‘tempting’
Feb.26 (GMM) Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll has revealed that the thought of signing Lewis Hamilton for 2022 is “definitely tempting”. The billionaire, who already has quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel in one car for 2021, has high aspirations for Formula 1’s new budget cap era. “This team has punched above its weight with […]
Salo hits reverse after Ferrari engine comments
Feb.26 (GMM) Mika Salo has hit reverse gear after revealing details of Ferrari’s secret engine legality agreement with the FIA. The former Ferrari driver and current FIA steward raised eyebrows this week by suggesting that Ferrari’s customers had to use less fuel than their rivals last year as punishment for the affair. “I don’t know […]
Schumacher criticised for anti-racism ‘no comment’
Feb.26 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is flirting with controversy by refusing to comment on Lewis Hamilton and Formula 1’s anti-racism messaging. When asked about the current era of racial and environmental political activism championed by seven time world champion Hamilton, Schumacher told La Stampa newspaper: “No comment.” Immediately, some social media users slammed the Haas rookie. […]
Red Bull needs ‘peculiar driving style’ – Perez
Feb.26 (GMM) Sergio Perez is already beginning to understand why some drivers struggle to handle Red Bull’s Formula 1 cars. After the younger and less experienced Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon failed to consistently match Max Verstappen, 31-year-old race winner Perez has been drafted into the lineup for 2021. The Mexican got his first taste […]
Verstappen no fan of F1’s sprint race idea
Feb.26 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he is not a fan of Formula 1’s plan to trial a new sprint race format in 2021. “More racing is not always a good thing,” the Red Bull driver said. F1’s plan for the three-race trial is for a Friday qualifying session followed by a short race on Saturday […]