Jan.15 (GMM) The controversial logos of Ferrari’s title sponsor may return to Formula 1 in 2021. Last year, although the 2020 was launched and tested with prominent Mission Winnow branding, PMI – Philip Morris International – withdrew the branding when some accused the tobacco giant of promoting smoking. But Philip Morris’ communications boss, Tommaso di […]
Month: January 2021
Less overtaking in 2020 compared to 2018, 2019
Jan.15 (GMM) Max Verstappen says it’s “basically impossible” to overtake in modern Formula 1 – and the situation got even worse in 2020. German publications Auto Motor und Sport and Auto Bild have found that while there were 32.6 and 38.9 overtakes per race on average in 2018 and 2019 respectively, that number dropped to […]
Next F1 engines could be 2000hp – Berger
Jan.14 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger has raised the tantalising prospect of 2000 horsepower engines in Formula 1. While a continuation of ‘green’ engines is a certainty beyond 2025, the sport is currently in a period of reflection about what precisely will replace the current turbo hybrid power units. “I’ll be in trouble for this, […]
Alfa Romeo’s future in F1 in doubt – report
Jan.14 (GMM) The future of the Alfa Romeo brand in Formula 1 depends on forthcoming decisions at the boardroom level, according to Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. Respected correspondent Luigi Perna is questioning the future of the Italian brand’s naming partnership with Sauber in the wake of the Fiat-Peugeot merger. The new carmaker giant will […]
‘No regrets’ about not signing Hamilton – Binotto
Jan.14 (GMM) Ferrari has no “regret” after failing to make a serious bid to snap up Lewis Hamilton for 2021. That is the claim of the Maranello team’s boss Mattia Binotto, as reports about difficult contract negotiations between the seven time world champion and Mercedes persist. Technically, 36-year-old Hamilton is a free agent for 2021, […]
Stop kicking Mazepin ‘in the face’ – Steiner
Jan.14 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has moved to end the controversy surrounding new Haas recruit Nikita Mazepin by suggesting kicking the Russian “in the face” is “not right”. 21-year-old rookie Mazepin, already a controversial figure in his Formula 2 days, enraged the world of social media last month when video emerged of him allegedly groping a […]
Honda chief admits F1 exit a ‘real shame’
Jan.14 (GMM) Honda’s F1 chief says it is a “real shame” that the Japanese manufacturer is pulling out of the sport at the end of this year. Although the carmaker is tipped to help Red Bull run the operations of the current works engine program from 2022 and beyond, Honda will no longer be officially […]
Mercedes to sign new F1 junior driver
Jan.14 (GMM) Mercedes may be on the cusp of signing another youngster to its Formula 1 driver development program. Ekstra Bladet newspaper claims that Danish 19-year-old Frederik Vesti and his manager Dorte Riis Madsen, who used to work with Kevin Magnussen, have been in talks with the title-winning team for “several months”. “A contract is […]
F1 denies 2022 rules facing another delay
Jan.14 (GMM) Formula 1 has flatly denied suggestions the sweeping new rules for 2022 could be delayed yet another year. Last year, as the sport scrambled to cope with economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus shutdowns, the teams agreed to delay the planned introduction of sweeping new technical rules from 2021 to 2022. But with […]
Quarantine rule forced Melbourne postponement
Jan.13 (GMM) It was Australia’s 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement that triggered the postponement of the season opening grand prix in Melbourne. Although the tennis grand slam event in the same city is going ahead, state sports minister Martin Pakula said that is only because those international travellers – including all the players – will observe […]
Zandvoort not worried as 2021 calendar changes
Jan.13 (GMM) Dutch GP organisers remain confident they will be able to welcome spectators to Zandvoort’s first F1 race in the modern era in September. Jan Lammers, a former F1 driver who is now the Dutch GP’s sporting director, said the postponement of Melbourne and the demise of the race in Shanghai does not affect […]
Judge ‘suspends’ new Brazil GP contract
Jan.13 (GMM) A judge in Sao Paulo has thrown a spanner in the works of the new five-year deal between Formula 1 and the Interlagos circuit. According to Folha de S.Paulo, judge Emilio Migliano Neto “suspended” the contract between the city and the new promoter MC Brazil Motorsport Holding. The judge claims there was not […]
Sainz heads to Italy for Ferrari test
Jan.13 (GMM) Carlos Sainz is en route to Maranello, where he is tipped to get his first taste of life at the wheel of a Ferrari with a test in the 2019 car. The Spaniard told his fans on social media that “after a short time off, it’s time to get back to work”. “Travelling […]
Imola hopes spectators can attend April race
Jan.13 (GMM) Imola has beaten Portimao to the first revised race calendar for 2021, as Formula 1 confirms that Melbourne and Shanghai will not take place as scheduled. With the global covid crisis continuing to rage, Formula 1 announced that the first race of the season will now be in Bahrain. It is understood the […]
Wolff ‘not worried’ about Hamilton contract rumours
Jan.12 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he is “not worried” about rumours surrounding the future of new seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The British driver’s last contract expired at the end of 2020, meaning he is currently a free agent amid speculation Mercedes is balking at his demands for a new deal. Rumours suggest the […]
Magnussen eyes prime Le Mans seat for 2022
Jan.12 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen could be heading to Le Mans in 2022. After losing his place in Formula 1, the Dane is embarking on a sports car adventure in the United States this year, starting with Daytona in January with the famous Chip Ganassi outfit. But according to Auto Hebdo, the 28-year-old could re-cross the […]
F1 adding Imola to ‘plan B’ 2021 calendar
Jan.12 (GMM) Imola is set to announce that it will once again return to Formula 1’s covid-affected calendar. When scheduled grands prix were cancelled or postponed in 2020, circuits including Imola, Portimao, Mugello and Istanbul were called up to fill the gaps. Now, with Melbourne and Shanghai set to be postponed in 2021, Monaco likely […]
Sainz’s father not worried about Leclerc pairing
Jan.12 (GMM) Carlos Sainz’s famous father is not worried his son will clash with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari this year. Sainz jr is moving from McLaren to Ferrari for 2021 to replace Sebastian Vettel, with many predicting it will now be the Spaniard serving as Leclerc’s number 2. Team boss Mattia Binotto has denied there […]
Hamilton more dominant than Schumacher – Todt
Jan.12 (GMM) Mercedes is more dominant today than Ferrari was at the height of the Michael Schumacher era. That is the view of FIA president Jean Todt, who presided over Schumacher’s five consecutive world championships between 2000 and 2004 as team boss. When asked to compare that success with Lewis Hamilton’s reign of today, Todt […]
F1 denies secret covid vaccination plan
Jan.12 (GMM) Formula 1 has denied claims the sport is working on a secret plan to vaccinate every member of the travelling circus in 2021. With the published 2021 calendar already at risk amid reports Melbourne, Shanghai and other races will be postponed, the Swiss newspaper Blick claimed F1 was working on a plan to […]