Sep.14 (GMM) Mattia Binotto says Ferrari is yet to get its head around a fundamental problem with the woefully uncompetitive 2020 car. So far in 2020, the narrative has been that Ferrari’s struggles are mainly because of the 2019 engine legality saga, which has obviously left the famous team underpowered. But the drivers insist that […]
Month: September 2020
Richest team ‘will always win’ in current F1 – Sainz
Sep.14 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has admitted to “frustration” that the current situation in Formula 1 means that the richest team is always the most likely to win. The technical rules are changing markedly for 2022, while the income distribution system will already become fairer next year, when the budget cap will also debut. But at […]
Verstappen ‘sick’ of repeat Honda problems
Sep.14 (GMM) Max Verstappen admitted he was “sick” of the repeat Honda-related technical problems at both Monza and Mugello. The Dutchman, who according to his boss Dr Helmut Marko could have challenged Mercedes for victory on Sunday, retired from a race for the second time within seven days at Mugello. “It seems that it was […]
Wolff denies Ineos to buy Mercedes for $900m
Sep.14 (GMM) Toto Wolff has rubbished suggestions Mercedes could be about to be taken over in a sensational $900 million deal by 2020 sponsor Ineos. Although rumblings about Wolff and the dominant F1 team’s respective futures have been heard throughout the year so far, the latest reports were triggered by comments made by former F1 […]
Masi denies F1 to blame for Mugello re-start crash
Sep.14 (GMM) F1 race director Michael Masi has rejected claims that the sport’s authorities are to blame for the big re-start crash at Mugello on Sunday. Romain Grosjean said it was the “biggest scare of my career”, while Carlos Sainz said he wouldn’t wish the feeling on “anyone” after coming across slow cars at 290kph. […]
Todt will not stop ‘reverse grid’ decision
Sep.13 (GMM) Jean Todt says he will not block Formula 1 from adopting a controversial ‘reverse grid’ format in 2021. The idea, which was voted down by the teams for this season, is still being championed by F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn, who vowed last week to try again for 2021. At Mugello, Williams’ George […]
Marko denies Newey-Aston Martin rumours
Sep.13 (GMM) Red Bull has denied it could be about to lose legendary F1 car designer Adrian Newey. After weeks of looking miserable amid Ferrari’s decline and his impending departure from the Italian team and perhaps Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel was suddenly smiling at Mugello. His mood might have been a touch of cheekiness as […]
Mercedes quiet amid $900m F1 team buyout claims
Sep.13 (GMM) Mercedes is refusing to comment on reports that its dominant works Formula 1 team is lining up an almost $900 million sale. The latest speculation has been triggered by comments made by former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan, who thinks Mercedes will be bought by Ineos. In February, Mercedes did a major sponsorship […]
New teams must pay F1 rivals $200m
Sep.13 (GMM) New Formula 1 entrants will have to pay $200 million to the existing teams in order to enter the sport, according to a clause in the new Concorde Agreement. France’s L’Equipe claims that the money would need to be evenly distributed to the ten teams – meaning a payment of $20 million per […]
Schumacher to be in F1 ‘soon’ – Vasseur
Sep.13 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has given his chances of a 2021 F1 debut a big boost by taking the lead in the F2 championship at Mugello. It comes amid strong rumours that the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher will make his F1 race weekend debut with a Friday practice session for Alfa Romeo at […]
Horner admits looking at driver ‘options’
Sep.13 (GMM) Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits he is looking into the team’s “options” for its driver lineup for 2021. Max Verstappen is firmly under contract, but both Pierre Gasly and now Alex Albon have struggled to match up against the Dutchman. However, Albon qualified right behind third-placed Verstappen at Mugello. “We know that […]
Seidl plays down McLaren factory sale
Sep.12 (GMM) Andreas Seidl has played down news that McLaren’s iconic headquarters will be sold. Reports this week claimed that the Woking based team could raise over $250 million by selling its striking McLaren Technology Centre and then leasing it back from the new owner. The reports said McLaren might also sell a minority stake […]
New Williams boss not sure if position permanent
Sep.12 (GMM) Williams’ acting team principal says he is not sure if his new role will be made permanent. Simon Roberts, who made a shock move from McLaren just three months ago, has received a surprisingly fast promotion to succeed departed team boss Claire Williams. Roberts, who was operations director and chief operating officer at […]
Vettel can quit Aston Martin after 2021 – report
Sep.12 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has not signed a fixed long-term contract with Aston Martin, according to Bild newspaper. While the quadruple world champion will definitely race in 2021, the report claims that the deal he has signed will allow him to quit after just one year. However, Vettel told RTL: “The goal is not short-term, […]
Portimao to welcome 45,000 F1 spectators
Sep.12 (GMM) As many as 45,000 spectators per day could attend the first Formula 1 race at Portimao next month. Earlier, despite the current Portuguese ban on spectators at sports events, race organisers announced that while a ‘ghost race’ was possible, the circuit was hoping to welcome some fans in October. “The fans are eager […]
‘Good chance’ of 2021 debut for Schumacher – Binotto
Sep.12 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has a “good chance” of stepping up to Formula 1 in 2021. That is the view of Mattia Binotto, the Ferrari team boss. Schumacher, the 21-year-old son of former Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher, is now the most prominent member of the Italian team’s driver development academy. Earlier, it was claimed that […]
McLaren opens Indycar door for axed Perez
Sep.12 (GMM) Zak Brown is offering Sergio Perez a seat at McLaren – in the Indycar program. Ousted by Racing Point in favour of Sebastian Vettel, Mexican Perez’s best options for 2021 now appear to be Alfa Romeo or Haas. But Brown, the McLaren supremo, thinks there is another option. “It’s a shame that Sergio […]
Sainz slams Racing Point over Perez axe
Sep.12 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has slammed Racing Point for dumping Sergio Perez. The McLaren driver said at Mugello that he is “a little angry” about the way Perez alleges he was given little notice that his 2021 contract would be cancelled to make way for Sebastian Vettel. “Checo had a trusting relationship with the team […]
McLaren test Mercedes-like nose at Mugello
Sep.12 (GMM) McLaren tested a Mercedes-like nose during Friday practice at Mugello. F1’s homologation deadline, which will severely limit car changes for 2021 amid the corona crisis, expires at the end of September. “We wanted to use our experimental nose to check whether the wind tunnel data matches the reality on the track,” team boss […]
Raikkonen is Alfa Romeo’s first choice for 2021
Sep.12 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen is Alfa Romeo’s first choice for 2021. Like all Ferrari-powered teams, the Hinwil-based team is struggling this year but that is not stopping speculation about the driver lineup for next season. Antonio Giovinazzi admits it is difficult to shine alongside a driver of 40-year-old Raikkonen’s calibre and experience. “When evaluating my […]