Oct.6 (GMM) McLaren CEO Zak Brown hopes to bring Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to Woking a year earlier than initially expected – as doubts emerge over the team’s latest aerodynamic upgrade. McLaren has already confirmed Lambiase’s recruitment from Red Bull, with an arrival originally expected by 2028. But Brown told Sky at […]
Leclerc plane trouble as Bottas rides to Singapore
Oct.6 (GMM) Charles Leclerc endured an unusual journey from Malaysia to Singapore after his plane was forced to return – while Valtteri Bottas decided to make the same trip by bicycle. According to F1 photographer Kym Illman, Leclerc’s flight departed Malaysia on Sunday evening but missed its landing window at Singapore’s Seletar Airport. The Ferrari […]
Red Bull breakthrough surprises even Mekies
Oct.6 (GMM) Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies admits even the team did not expect Max Verstappen’s dramatic return to winning form, as he credited the late Dietrich Mateschitz for making the team’s historic engine breakthrough possible. Verstappen’s dominant Bahrain GP victory at Sepang was Red Bull’s first with its own power unit, developed in […]
Alonso set for shock Dakar return with Aston Martin
Oct.6 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s mysterious promise at Sepang of looming “surprises” appears to have been explained, with a report claiming the Aston Martin driver is preparing a sensational return to the Dakar Rally in 2027. Spanish publication Soy Motor reports that the two-time champion has agreed in principle to race a Prodrive-built car, previously entered […]
F1’s 2030 V8 engine could feature twin turbos
Oct.6 (GMM) Formula 1’s planned return to V8 engines in 2030 is taking a new direction, with reports suggesting the next generation of power units could feature twin turbochargers and a much smaller hybrid system. According to f1-insider.com, discussions are now focusing on a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V8 running on sustainable fuel, rather than the simpler […]
Williams to carry new chassis into 2027
Oct.6 (GMM) Williams will carry its recently introduced lighter chassis into 2027 as team boss James Vowles tries to avoid a repeat of the disastrous start to this season. The British team has endured a deeply disappointing 2026 campaign, with its latest upgrade at Baku delivering only limited improvement. Vowles revealed that the new chassis […]
Another leadership change at Honda F1
Oct.6 (GMM) Honda has announced another major management change as its troubled Formula 1 partnership with Aston Martin begins to show signs of improvement. Honda Racing Corporation confirmed on Monday that president and CEO Koji Watanabe will retire on January 1, with current executive vice president Keiichi Yasuda taking over. The announcement is amid the […]
Vigna appears at Sepang after Ferrari turmoil
Oct.5 (GMM) Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna appeared in the Sepang paddock after a turbulent week of speculation around team principal Frederic Vasseur, although he insisted his visit had already been planned. Vigna told Sky Italia that Ferrari remains united despite the recent noise. “I had already planned to come to Sepang,” he insisted. “The team […]
Pourchaire wants Mercedes F1 test chance
Oct.5 (GMM) Theo Pourchaire says his reserve and simulator role with Mercedes is valuable, but he now wants time in a real Formula 1 car. The 2023 Formula 2 champion was Mercedes’ reserve driver at Sepang this weekend because Frederik Vesti was racing in IMSA. “It’s great to experience the race weekend with the team,” […]
Malaysia opens talks for permanent F1 return
Oct.5 (GMM) Malaysia has formally opened discussions with Formula 1 about returning to the calendar permanently after Sepang’s successful one-off comeback this weekend. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told Bernama after the race that talks with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali are now underway, although he stressed that no decision is close yet. “That we are discussing […]
Mercedes may scrap upgrade as Russell title hopes fade
Oct.5 (GMM) Mercedes is considering abandoning its major Sepang aerodynamic upgrade after the package appeared to make the W17 slower rather than faster. Toto Wolff admitted after the Bahrain GP in Malaysia that reverting to the previous specification is now a real possibility. “That’s not out of the question,” the team boss confirmed. “Now we […]
Software chaos exposes F1’s 2026 complexity
Oct.5 (GMM) Formula 1’s chaotic wet start at Sepang has triggered fresh criticism of the hugely complex 2026 regulations. Several cars suddenly lost power on the formation lap, forcing race control to halt the starting procedure while the FIA distributed an emergency software update. Top FIA official Nikolas Tombazis admitted the wet-weather software had barely […]
Toyota shuts down Ocon WEC rumours
Oct.4 (GMM) Esteban Ocon’s options for 2027 appear to be narrowing further, with Toyota denying speculation that the departing Haas driver could move into its World Endurance Championship program. Toyota adviser Alexander Wurz told formel1.de that there is “nothing to these rumours”. Wurz said Toyota plans its WEC driver lineup well in advance and has […]
Verstappen tells Russell to stop ‘making a fuss’
Oct.4 (GMM) Max Verstappen has pushed back at George Russell’s complaints about Sepang’s extreme heat and Mercedes’ refusal to develop a better cooling vest under the budget cap. Russell had argued that the FIA should intervene. “The FIA should intervene and allow us to develop them outside the budget cap,” he said. Polesitter Verstappen, however, […]
Verstappen, Wolff accept Qatar-Abu Dhabi decision
Oct.4 (GMM) Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff say they trust Formula 1’s decision to confirm Qatar and Abu Dhabi as the final two rounds of the 2026 season. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has now ended the uncertainty, telling Canal Plus and other broadcasters at Sepang that the original calendar will stand. “We keep the teams […]
Horner says Ferrari comments were overblown
Oct.4 (GMM) Christian Horner has apparently tried to play down the uproar over his recent Ferrari comments, telling Martin Brundle that his remarks were simply intended to be respectful. Speaking on Sky at Sepang, legendary commentator Brundle revealed that he had called Horner directly after the latest round of speculation about Frederic Vasseur’s future. “There […]
Mercedes upgrade backfires at Sepang
Oct.4 (GMM) Mercedes’ major Sepang upgrade appears to have made the W17 slower rather than faster, with both cars missing the top three in qualifying as Max Verstappen took pole. Toto Wolff was stunned by the scale of the setback. “We’ve never had an update go so wrong like this before,” the team boss told […]
Sepang transport chaos leaves F1 fans stranded
Oct.3 (GMM) Formula 1’s return to Sepang has been hit by transport chaos, with enormous crowds left waiting for shuttle buses after Friday practice and some fans eventually walking kilometres from the circuit. Local reports say thousands packed the designated bus areas after FP2, with some spectators claiming waits of three hours or more. Others […]
Qatar, Abu Dhabi confirmed as 2026 finale
Oct.3 (GMM) Formula 1 has finally confirmed that Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned, ending months of uncertainty over the 2026 season finale. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed the decision to Sky Italia during the relocated Bahrain GP at Sepang. “With the information and reassurances we have received, we can confirm – […]
Komatsu answers Ocon claim over Haas axe
Oct.3 (GMM) Ayao Komatsu has responded to Esteban Ocon’s insistence that performance was not the reason Haas decided to drop him for 2027, saying the decision was based on the “overall picture”. Ocon said at Sepang that he knows why Haas made the call but insisted: “The reason wasn’t my performance.” Komatsu did not directly […]