May 27 (GMM) 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg admits he was “wrong” about Carlos Sainz’s move to Ferrari for 2021. The German, now a pundit for British and German television, was critical of Ferrari’s decision to sign up former McLaren, Renault and Toro Rosso driver Sainz as a replacement for Sebastian Vettel. “I was wrong,” […]
Month: May 2021
Mazepin forcing F1 adaptation ‘with a crowbar’
May 27 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin is trying to force his acclimatisation to life at Formula 1 speeds “with a crowbar”. That is the colourful description of Red Bull top official Dr Helmut Marko, who contrasted controversial Haas driver Mazepin’s 2021 so far with that of his fellow rookie teammate Mick Schumacher. “There were a few […]
More Ferrari poles ‘unlikely’ in 2021 – Surer
May 27 (GMM) Ferrari is unlikely to repeat its pole and potentially race-winning pace at other grands prix in 2021. That is the view of former F1 driver and now German-language TV pundit Marc Surer, who attributes Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s speed at Monaco to “great suspension”. “Of all the cars, the Ferrari rode […]
Perez ‘too weak’ so far in 2021 – Marko
May 27 (GMM) Sergio Perez is a “decisive factor” in Red Bull’s push to win the 2021 world championship, according to top team official Dr Helmut Marko. 79-year-old Austrian Marko was most directly responsible for ousting Alex Albon and replacing him with the experienced Sergio Perez for this season. However, Mexican Perez has also struggled […]
Spectators to attend French, Austrian GPs
May 27 (GMM) Forthcoming races at Paul Ricard and the Red Bull Ring look set to be attended by some Formula 1 spectators. So far in 2021, the phenomenon of ‘ghost races’ has begun to diminish, with limited crowds often now permitted in the grandstands by local jurisdictions. However, there will be no spectators at […]
Ricciardo could get new chassis for Baku
May 27 (GMM) McLaren will revert to its usual orange livery in Baku – and Daniel Ricciardo looks set to get a brand new chassis altogether. “Yes, we’ll be back to normal,” a source at the Woking based team confirmed, after the special Gulf Oil livery turned heads in Monaco. It was in Monaco where […]
Sainz disappointment actually ‘positive’ – father
May 26 (GMM) It is “positive” rather than negative that Carlos Sainz was disappointed with his first podium for Ferrari last weekend at Monaco. That is the view of the Spanish driver’s famous father and namesake, rallying legend Carlos Sainz. After finishing second behind Max Verstappen, 26-year-old Sainz jr said on Sunday: “It’s just the […]
Ferrari right to gamble on Leclerc pole – Villeneuve
May 26 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve is not joining those who are criticising Ferrari for taking a risk so that Charles Leclerc could keep pole position last Sunday. Some believe not changing the star driver’s gearbox after his post-pole position crash on Saturday was an excessive gamble to avoid a five-place grid penalty. Indeed, ultimately, Leclerc’s […]
F1 will ‘try’ to modify Monaco layout – Brawn
May 26 (GMM) Formula 1 will look into whether modifications can be made to the fabled layout of the Monaco GP. Seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton went into last weekend’s race in the glamorous Principality declaring that the sport’s fans “don’t enjoy it” on television. “It’s been going on for years and I think […]
No Hamilton ‘games’ in title fight – Verstappen snr
May 26 (GMM) The Max Verstappen says it camp won’t be playing Mercedes’ or Lewis Hamilton’s “games” as the 2021 title head-to-head heats up. Having lost his championship lead, Hamilton left Monaco declaring that Red Bull’s Verstappen could retain the edge next time out on the streets of Baku. But Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, thinks […]
Austrian double-header now in doubt over covid
May 26 (GMM) Formula 1 appears to be struggling to keep a full 23-race calendar for 2021 intact. So far, several races have been postponed, cancelled or reshuffled, with the latest solution – following cancellation of races in Canada and Turkey – being a second race in Austria. However, despite circuit owner Red Bull’s eagerness […]
Marko doubts Wolff will trigger Baku GP ‘scandal’
May 26 (GMM) Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko has refused to rule out lodging a counter-protest against championship rival Mercedes. The 79-year-old Austrian says his countryman Toto Wolff is being unreasonable in criticising the FIA for giving Red Bull and other teams until after Baku to make modifications to their allegedly ‘bendy’ rear wings. “We […]
‘Bendy’ wing not reason for Verstappen win – Wolff
May 25 (GMM) Although threatening to lodge a protest at Baku, Toto Wolff says Max Verstappen did not win in Monaco last weekend because of his allegedly illegal rear wing. The Mercedes team boss claims Formula 1 is currently in a “vacuum” after the FIA said it would test rear wing flexibility differently after Baku. […]
Mosley death ‘like losing a brother’ – Ecclestone
May 25 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says former FIA president Max Mosley’s death is like “losing a brother”. 81-year-old Mosley’s family has issued a statement confirming that Jean Todt’s predecessor at the FIA “died last night after a long battle with cancer”. “They ask to be allowed to grieve in private.” Former F1 supremo Ecclestone, 90, […]
Italian media says Sainz can overtake Leclerc as ‘number 1’
May 25 (GMM) Italian journalists think Carlos Sainz may not only block Mick Schumacher’s route to Ferrari – he may even take over from Charles Leclerc as team number 1. The fiercely partisan Italian press did not hide its collective delight with team newcomer and Spaniard Sainz’s first Ferrari podium at Monaco. “If he continues […]
Alonso waits for Paul Ricard for steering change
May 25 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is waiting for Paul Ricard until he gets a tweaked power steering system that he says should give him a better feel for his 2021 Alpine. The Renault-owned team, but particularly two-time champion Alonso, struggled on the streets of Monaco – qualifying 17th and finishing the race out of the […]
Leclerc ‘can only blame himself’ for Monaco failure
May 25 (GMM) Charles Leclerc “can only blame himself” for the technical failure that meant he couldn’t even start last Sunday’s Monaco GP, according to 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve. Although quickest in qualifying, the local driver then crashed his Ferrari on his next and final lap – triggering questions about whether it may have […]
Ferrari tried to help Mercedes remove Bottas wheel
May 25 (GMM) Ferrari tried to help Mercedes mechanics remove the stuck wheel that caused Valtteri Bottas to retire from the Monaco GP. The odd sight of mechanics unable to get the Finn’s wheel off during a pitstop was a major problem for the Brackley based team, as it meant Red Bull sped past in […]
Verstappen ‘not playing Hamilton’s mind games’
May 25 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he won’t be playing Lewis Hamilton’s “games” at forthcoming Formula 1 races. Before struggling all weekend at Monaco and losing his world championship lead to his Dutch rival, Mercedes’ Hamilton insisted he was worried about the chances of an on-track clash. Verstappen, after lifting the trophy aloft, then hit […]
Bottas out, Russell in for 2022 – source
May 24 (GMM) The signs are growing ever clearer about the likelihood of a driver change at Mercedes for 2022. During Sunday’s broadcast of the Monaco GP, the commentator for Russia’s Match TV said a source has now told him that Valtteri Bottas is losing his seat. “I will not disclose the source,” said Alexey […]