May 21 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo claims that he almost became boss of Formula 1. The former Ferrari president was asked by La Gazzetta dello Sport this week to comment on the one-year anniversary of the death of the great Niki Lauda. Lauda and Montezemolo worked together closely at Ferrari some decades ago, but Montezemolo […]
Month: May 2020
Todt not worried about Ferrari ‘veto’ amid corona
May 21 (GMM) FIA president Jean Todt is not worried Ferrari will wield its unique and controversial ‘veto’ to derail Formula 1’s course through the corona crisis. The most contentious measure – the reduction of the $175 million budget cap for 2021 – is finally set to be voted on after a delay and much […]
Alonso ‘knows best’ about Renault return – Sainz snr
May 21 (GMM) Fernando Alonso “knows best” when it comes to deciding whether to return to Formula 1 next year. That is the view of future Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s father and namesake, when asked by Italy’s Sky Sport 24 to comment on speculation linking family friend Alonso with Renault for 2021. On the face […]
F1 missing Lauda’s voice amid corona crisis – Wolff
May 21 (GMM) Niki Lauda’s voice is conspicuously “missing” during the corona crisis, according to his former business partner Toto Wolff. It is now a full year since Lauda, the F1 legend and former Mercedes chairman, passed away at the age of 70. “The more the time passes, the more I realise how much I […]
Wolff says ‘no negotiations’ with Vettel
May 21 (GMM) There are no negotiations with Sebastian Vettel at present, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff insists. Rumours suggest that Wolff is under pressure from Daimler to sign the quadruple world champion, who will leave Ferrari at the end of the year. It is believed Wolff is more inclined to promote George Russell for […]
Silverstone ghost race axe ‘unfortunate’ – Brown
May 21 (GMM) Zak Brown says it would be “unfortunate” if Britain counts itself out of Formula 1’s attempt to get back up and racing in 2020. Seven of the ten F1 teams, including Brown-led McLaren, are based in the UK. But the British government’s 14-day quarantine rule could rule out Silverstone as the host […]
Sainz hopes Ferrari deal helps Spanish GP
May 20 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he hopes his move to Ferrari will give the future of the Spanish GP at boost. We have already reported that Spanish broadcasters are shaping up for a EUR 100 million fight for the F1 television rights, after Spaniard Sainz was signed up by Ferrari for 2021. Also in […]
‘No rush’ to decide Ricciardo replacement – source
May 20 (GMM) A source at Renault’s works team reports that there is “no rush” to decide the identity of Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement for 2021. On the face of it, the team may be seen to be in crisis, with big-name signing Ricciardo defecting to McLaren and the parent company struggling financially amid the corona […]
Customer car idea ‘unthinkable’ – Prost
May 20 (GMM) Alain Prost has hit back at suggestions ‘customer cars’ could be a solution amid F1’s corona crisis. Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto have suggested the smaller teams could substantially cut costs amid the crisis by simply buying complete year-old cars from their bigger rivals. F1 legend Prost, now a […]
Alonso should not go to Renault – Minardi
May 20 (GMM) Former F1 team owner and boss Giancarlo Minardi is not sure that Fernando Alonso should make his return to Formula 1 with Renault. Alonso, who made his debut back in 2001 in a Minardi, is now linked with returning from a two-year sabbatical to replace the McLaren-bound Daniel Ricciardo at Renault for […]
Mercedes seat ‘difficult’ for Vettel – Mol
May 20 (GMM) Dutch commentator Olav Mol has played down hopes that Sebastian Vettel might keep his Formula 1 career alive at Mercedes. With the quadruple world champion and Ferrari splitting at the end of the year, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has indicated that Vettel is an option for 2021. “As far as I am […]
Retirement chances ‘high’ for Vettel – Stuck
May 20 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s retirement at 32 would be an “absolute disaster”, according to German motor racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck. The quadruple world champion has already announced his departure from Ferrari at the end of 2020, with many insiders playing down the likelihood that he will switch to Renault. If Vettel retires, Germany will […]
2020 season start ‘not official’ yet – Todt
May 20 (GMM) The re-start of F1’s corona-marred 2020 season is not yet official, according to FIA president Jean Todt. While it appears as though the season will begin in Austria with back-to-back ‘ghost races’ in early July, the government is yet to rubber-stamp the plan. After that, the sport’s plan is to move on […]
Mercedes ‘should consider’ Vettel – Ecclestone
May 19 (GMM) Mercedes “should consider” signing up Sebastian Vettel for 2021. That is the view of former F1 supremo and Vettel confidante Bernie Ecclestone, who only recently advised the German to snub a “super top team” for 2021 and instead “build” up a midfielder like Renault. But Ecclestone now tells f1-insider: “In the current […]
Sainz deal sparks battle for Spanish TV rights
May 19 (GMM) Spanish broadcasters are shaping up to fight over the Formula 1 television rights for 2021 and beyond. Movistar, owned by Telefonica, is the current broadcaster in Spain, but that contract is running out this year. And El Periodico newspaper claims that Dazn, a British sports streaming broadcaster that operates within Spain, wants […]
Opinions divided over Alonso comeback
May 19 (GMM) Opinions are split as to whether Fernando Alonso will return to Formula 1 next year. His manager Flavio Briatore says the Spaniard is “ready” to return after a two-year sabbatical, while Alonso now admits that F1, sports cars or Indycar are all possibilities. The Alonso speculation has ramped up after Daniel Ricciardo […]
Alonso admits F1 return for 2021 possible
May 19 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has admitted he is contemplating a return to Formula 1. Amid speculation the Spaniard is eyeing Daniel Ricciardo’s Renault vacancy for 2021, his manager Flavio Briatore on Monday claimed Alonso is “motivated”, “detoxed” and “ready to return”. When asked about his next challenge during a conversation with University of Real […]
Todt to stay FIA president for another year – report
May 19 (GMM) FIA president Jean Todt looks set to remain FIA president even after the mandatory end of his final term that was set to definitely expire in 2021. However, he indicated recently that he may be asked to stay on board through the exceptional circumstances of the corona crisis. At the same time, […]
Magny Cours rules out 2020 ‘ghost race’
May 19 (GMM) Former French GP venue Magny Cours has ruled out hosting a Formula 1 ‘ghost race’ amid the corona crisis. L’Equipe claims that Liberty Media has reached out to multiple European circuits with FIA homologation to host grands prix, including Magny Cours which last hosted a race in 2008. It is claimed that […]
Marko hopes for spectators at Austria GP
May 19 (GMM) The Austrian government has played down hopes F1’s 2020 ‘season opener’ may be raced in front of spectators. Currently, Red Bull – the promoter of the Austrian GP at Spielberg – is waiting merely to have its ‘ghost race’ plan for July rubber-stamped by authorities. “We hope to receive a response from […]