Mar.31 (GMM) Negotiations over the 2021 Concorde Agreement have been put on ice. Talks about the expiring deal, which crucially regulates the distribution of income and the governance structure, were on track when the coronavirus pandemic struck. Suddenly, there are no races and F1’s NASDAQ share price has slumped. “Before any team signs up for […]
Month: March 2020
Coronavirus ‘ERTE’ scheme ‘imminent’ in F1 – Sainz
Mar.31 (GMM) Formula 1 will need to introduce a scheme to protect its economy and workforce amid the global pandemic, according to Carlos Sainz’s father. Sainz senior, a rallying legend, said he thinks a scheme called Temporary Employment Regulation File (ERTE) will now be “imminent” in F1. Already now coming into play in the world […]
F1 overtaken as world’s best ‘virtual’ series
Mar.31 (GMM) Indycar and Nascar have taken the lead over Formula 1 in the brave new virtual world of computerised online live sim racing. A week ago, F1 held its first official online race based on the official F1 2019 game, with only Lando Norris and Nicholas Latifi representing the twenty actual F1 race drivers. […]
Marko scolded for ‘playing with human lives’
Mar.31 (GMM) A biochemist has scolded Dr Helmut Marko for “playing with human lives” by contemplating controlled coronavirus infections for Red Bull’s drivers. Marko caused a stir this week by telling the Austrian broadcaster ORF that he tried to put together a training camp for Red Bull’s F1 and junior drivers during the global pandemic. […]
Races ‘in short term’ possible – Coulthard
Mar.30 (GMM) David Coulthard thinks Formula 1 could get racing again in “the short term”. At present, the 2020 calendar has been paused until at least mid June for the global pandemic. But former driver turned broadcaster Coulthard told Ziggo Sport: “I really believe that our events will take place faster than some others. “In […]
Ferrari offers Vettel one-year deal, pay cut
Mar.30 (GMM) Ferrari has offered Sebastian Vettel a new one-year contract for 2021 – if he accepts a pay-cut. That is the claim of the Italian broadcaster Sky, reporting that the financial offer made by the Maranello team to the quadruple world champion is “a much lower figure”. The 32-year-old German driver’s friend Bernie Ecclestone […]
Factory shutdown could be extended – Vasseur
Mar.30 (GMM) The current three-week ‘early summer’ factory shutdown could be extended, Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur has admitted. Even amid Italy’s dire coronavirus crisis, Ferrari has reportedly decided to resume work at Maranello on April 14. But Vasseur says Alfa Romeo, based in Switzerland, may not follow suit. “Depending on the situation in England, […]
F1 ready with ‘financial support’ for teams – Marko
Mar.30 (GMM) Formula 1 is moving to keep its ten teams in business, according to Dr Helmut Marko. “Formula 1 has taken the right measures,” the top Red Bull official told Kleine Zeitung newspaper when asked how the sport is reacting to the pandemic. “The summer break has been brought forward, the new technical regulations […]
Ventilator production ‘has started’ – Marko
Mar.30 (GMM) F1’s UK-based teams are helping in the fight against coronavirus by manufacturing special ventilators. The UK government initiative has been called ‘project pitlane’, and Red Bull, Racing Point, Haas, McLaren, Mercedes, Renault and Williams are all taking part. “Production has already started here,” Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko told ORF. “This is the […]
18-inch tyre debut postponed until 2021
Mar.30 (GMM) Formula 1 will not feature 18-inch wheels as scheduled in 2021. Because the new chassis rules have been delayed because of coronavirus, Pirelli boss Mario Isola confirmed that the 18-inch wheels will also not race next year. “We are in the middle of the development for the 18-inch wheels,” he told Auto Motor […]
Raikkonen cannot adapt driving style – de la Rosa
Mar.30 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen “will not adapt” to a car that doesn’t suit his driving style. That is the claim of Pedro de la Rosa, who as test driver worked alongside the 2007 world champion some years ago at McLaren. “Kimi is very fast,” the Spaniard told Iltalehti. “He is a world champion. But he […]
Verstappen F3 team in financial trouble
Mar.30 (GMM) The F3 team that gave Max Verstappen his springboard into Formula 1 is in financial trouble. While many are worrying about the fate of Formula 1 teams, Fritz van Amersfoort is warning that junior racing teams like his are even more endangered. “In the junior classes, teams rely mainly on the money that […]
Possible no racing will happen in 2020 – Petrov
Mar.30 (GMM) Former F1 driver Vitaly Petrov thinks the engines of motorsport may be silent throughout 2020. Officially, coronavirus-struck Formula 1 is hoping to re-start mid-year. But Petrov told Izvestia news agency: “It is possible that all motorsport championships will be postponed for a year. “Unfortunately, the number of people infected with coronavirus is only […]
F1 will survive coronavirus – Ecclestone
Mar.30 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says Formula 1 will survive coronavirus. The former F1 supremo admits that the global pandemic is the greatest challenge the sport has ever faced. But he told f1-insider.com: “Formula 1 will survive in whatever form despite the difficult times and the green zeitgeist, not just because of the virus.” How is […]
Wolff denies eyeing Aston Martin job
Mar.30 (GMM) Toto Wolff has denied reports that he could quit Mercedes and join billionaire Lawrence Stroll at Aston Martin. Wolff’s contract as team boss expires this year, and former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone thinks his relationship with new Daimler CEO Ola Kallenius is not great. “At the moment he has other problems than the […]
Even big F1 teams at risk – Schumacher
Mar.30 (GMM) Even the big teams are financially exposed to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher. Many have expressed fears about the ongoing viability of the smaller teams during this unprecedented phase without grands prix. “At the moment, we have to worry not only about the small teams, […]
Rivals must make Hamilton ‘uncomfortable’ – Hill
Mar.27 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s only weakness may be when a rival makes him “feel uncomfortable”. That is the view of 1996 world champion Damon Hill, the famous former nemesis of the great Michael Schumacher and now a pundit for British television. When asked to name some of six-time world champion Hamilton’s weaknesses, he told the […]
Abiteboul denies Renault set to quit F1
Mar.27 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has denied that Renault is poised to quit Formula 1. When McLaren announced recently that it is pushing ahead with its switch to Mercedes power for 2021 despite the delayed regulations, some interpreted that as a sign that current supplier Renault may be pulling out. Renault struggled on track last year […]
Villeneuve doubts Canada GP can go ahead
Mar.27 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve thinks the coronavirus situation could be about to get a lot worse. The 1997 world champion, who is now a commentator for Italian and French television, lives on the outskirts of Milan – the region that has been the hardest hit by the global pandemic than anywhere else on earth. “We […]
Alpha Tauri pair say no to new F1 esports trend
Mar.27 (GMM) Alpha Tauri’s two race drivers will not be taking part in the new trend of high-profile online virtual racing. Team boss Franz Tost admits that it is a “potential market” for F1 teams – but he says he isn’t personally interested either. “I didn’t see the race because I can’t get the ORF […]