May 10 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin stunned many observers before Sunday’s Spanish GP by joining those drivers electing to kneel during the pre-race grid procedure. However, the embattled Russian rookie clarified that it wasn’t a gesture in solidarity with Lewis Hamilton, who instigated the practice last year amid the Black Lives Matter protests. “I decided to […]
Month: May 2021
F1 not ruling out Barcelona chicane axe
May 10 (GMM) Formula 1 is not ruling out approving a major modification to the Barcelona layout in order to spice up the racing action. When heading into the Spanish GP weekend, new Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director George Russell suggested bypassing the slow chicane that in 2007 replaced the final two sweeping right-handers. “We […]
Austria could host second F1 race in 2021
May 10 (GMM) Red Bull’s Formula 1 circuit in Austria could once again step up for the sport amid the ongoing covid crisis. Although Istanbul was only just added to the 2021 calendar to replace the cancelled Canadian GP, there are now fears the Turkish event may not go ahead after the UK government added […]
Hamilton wants to start 2022 contract talks
May 10 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is suddenly keen on inking a new Mercedes deal before Formula 1’s August break. Earlier, the seven time world champion appeared to be in no rush to enter contract talks with Toto Wolff, despite last winter’s talks dragging on for months and only ending with a one-year deal. “Yeah, we […]
Perez leaves Verstappen ‘on his own again’
May 10 (GMM) Max Verstappen is “on his own again” within the Red Bull garage, according to Chinese-Dutch driver Ho-Pin Tung. The energy drink owned team has struggled to field a fully competitive second driver in recent years to support Verstappen’s push for the title. “A strong teammate is important in this case but Verstappen […]
‘Still a good chance’ of Verstappen title – Marko
May 10 (GMM) Max Verstappen still has “a good chance” of beating Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 world title. That is the view of Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko, even though his Dutch driver was adamant as to why he lost to Mercedes’ Hamilton for a second consecutive race on Sunday. “Too slow. That’s how […]
Red Bull needs more speed for 2021 title – Verstappen
May 9 (GMM) Red Bull “clearly” needs to add some pace in order to fight for the 2021 world championship, Max Verstappen has admitted. Although only trailing pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton by a tiny margin in Barcelona, the Dutchman’s latest comments are the first sign this year that he may be worried about not being able […]
Rookie Tsunoda ‘acting like a kid’ – Ericsson
May 9 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda should stop “acting like a kid” as he gets up to speed in Formula 1. That is the scathing rebuke of former F1 driver Marcus Ericsson, referring to the way the 20-year-old Japanese rookie so commonly swears on the radio. “It was fun the first or second time,” Ericsson said. […]
Mercedes will struggle to replace engine staff – Marko
May 9 (GMM) Red Bull is counter-attacking after Mercedes moved to end the flow of specialist staff from Brixworth to Red Bull’s new engine operation. Dr Helmut Marko revealed in Barcelona that as news emerged of at least 15 Mercedes defections, Toto Wolff had countered the move by offering to double salaries. “We certainly do […]
F1 CEO not confirming Mugello, Nurburgring backup events
May 9 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali is working hard to tackle the latest problem with the 2021 Formula 1 calendar, according to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. Following the recent cancellation of the Canadian GP, F1 CEO Domenicali inked a last-minute replacement deal with Istanbul Park. However, the UK government has now put Turkey on its so-called […]
Wolff suggests Ocon likely to stay at Alpine
May 9 (GMM) Esteban Ocon does not appear to be in the running for a works Mercedes seat for 2022. Team boss Toto Wolff has made it clear he wants to retain Lewis Hamilton, but strong rumours are linking George Russell with Valtteri Bottas’ current position. As for Ocon, the 24-year-old was another Mercedes junior […]
Correa eyes Formula 1 debut by ‘2023 or 2024’
May 8 (GMM) Juan Manuel Correa is making a sensational return to premier open wheeler racing this weekend in Barcelona – and predicts he even has a future in Formula 1. The 21-year-old Ecuadorian-American is best known for being involved in the horror 2019 crash at Spa Francorchamps that cost Anthoine Hubert his life. Correa, […]
Ferrari mood ‘different’ after Vettel – Leclerc
May 8 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says Ferrari is “different” without Sebastian Vettel in the garage next to him. The biggest difference, it would seem, is that the Maranello team has at least ended its technical crisis of last year, with a faster car and more powerful engine. Leclerc said in Barcelona: “It’s painful that we […]
Besieged Mazepin should re-think F1 career – pundit
May 8 (GMM) Criticism of Nikita Mazepin’s rookie season is becoming even more intense, as some wonder if the young Russian is skilled enough to race in Formula 1. The beleaguered Haas driver spun within minutes of the start of Friday practice in Barcelona. “The guy can’t keep the car on the track, even on […]
Red Bull pace ‘looks a lot worse’ than reality – Marko
May 8 (GMM) Red Bull will be on “the same level” as Mercedes when the action becomes decisive in Barcelona. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, even though title charger Max Verstappen was just ninth fastest in Friday practice – one place ahead of his teammate. One issue for the Dutchman was front […]
F1 ‘assessing situation’ as Turkey GP in doubt
May 8 (GMM) Formula 1 is “assessing the situation” as it emerges that Turkey may have to be scrapped from the 2021 calendar. The circuit in Istanbul was only added to the schedule recently, after Canada’s Montreal race was cancelled for the second consecutive season due to covid. But now a similar situation is evolving […]
Even more Mercedes staff heading to Red Bull
May 8 (GMM) Another wave of Mercedes’ engine staff are set to join six of their colleagues in defecting to the new Red Bull Powertrains project. Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko claims Toto Wolff is attempting to stop the defections by offering to double the salaries to Mercedes’ existing staff. Marko said he would “certainly […]
Perez hopes for Red Bull contract extension
May 7 (GMM) Sergio Perez says it’s “too early” to consider whether Red Bull will keep him on board for 2022. The energy drink owned team has struggled to field competitive teammates for Max Verstappen in recent years, with Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon both ousted during their consecutive tenures. It’s why Red Bull looked […]
Mazepin to use criticism to his ‘advantage’
May 7 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin says he will use intense criticism of his enemies to his “advantage” as he continues his troubled first season in Formula 1. For a spate of controversial on-track and off-track incidents past and present, the 22-year-old Russian has been subject to near-unprecedented levels of vitriol for a F1 personality on […]
Alonso also hurt knee, shoulder in cycling crash
May 7 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is back at “almost 100 percent” in the wake of his pre-season cycling crash. As he prepared for his return to Formula 1, the 39-year-old Spaniard was hit by a car while cycling and is still carrying metal plates in his jaw from surgery. “It is not something that I […]