Feb.28 (GMM) Alpine’s sporting boss Alan Permane has played down suggestions the Renault-owned team could be buried deep in the midfield when the new era in Formula 1 kicks off in March. The Enstone and Viry-based team has pinned its hopes on a major step forward with the new chassis regulations, pairing an innovative car […]
Month: February 2022
Haas, Mazepin in doubt over Ukraine crisis
Feb.28 (GMM) The effects of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine have well and truly infiltrated the Formula 1 paddock. F1’s authorities have cancelled September’s Russian GP at Sochi, and now the fate of the Haas team, its title sponsor Uralkali and driver Nikita Mazepin are all in the balance. Formula 1 confirmed that it met […]
Alpha Tauri not noticing Honda’s F1 exit
Feb.28 (GMM) Honda’s official departure from Formula 1 is yet to be felt by Alpha Tauri, the second Red Bull-owned team’s boss Franz Tost has admitted. Officially, the Japanese manufacturer left F1 after winning the title with Red Bull and Max Verstappen at the end of 2021. Actually, Honda engines are still in the four […]
Andretti F1 team would be powered by Renault
Feb.28 (GMM) Michael Andretti’s new Formula 1 entry for 2024 would be powered by customer Renault engines. The news comes as American Andretti’s F1 legend father Mario hit back at Mercedes’ Toto Wolff for questioning what the name would bring to the sport. “Toto asks ‘What are we bringing to the table?’ I think we’re […]
Marko confirms Verstappen contract ‘talks’
Feb.28 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has confirmed that “talks” are underway to keep Max Verstappen at Red Bull. We have reported for some time that a contract extension for the reigning world champion is on the cards, and De Telegraaf now reports that a signature is close. Verstappen, 24, already has a deal to the […]
New rules hurting ‘slipstream’ effect – drivers
Feb.28 (GMM) The all-new regulations for 2022 may actually have made overtaking more difficult, according to three prominent Formula 1 drivers. While early feedback suggests the new ‘ground effect’ cars make it easier to follow a rival, the ‘slipstream’ or ‘tow’ effect appears to be diminished. “I have spoken to other drivers and they say […]
Ferrari has ‘most powerful engine’ – Wolff
Feb.28 (GMM) They may have gone head-to-head for the title in 2021, but Red Bull and Mercedes do not appear to be heading the field as the all-new regulations take effect for 2022. “I think the McLaren and the Ferrari are looking incredibly strong,” said Mercedes’ George Russell, who admitted that the German team is […]
F1 ‘wrong’ to scapegoat Masi – Perez
Feb.25 (GMM) Formula 1 is struggling to turn the page in the wake of Michael Masi’s controversial ousting as race director. Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 crown following Australian Masi’s disputed handling of the late safety car in Abu Dhabi, triggering fury and an FIA investigation. While Hamilton was still grumbling about […]
McLaren would welcome Andretti to F1
Feb.25 (GMM) McLaren boss Andreas Seidl has broken ranks to declare that he would welcome Andretti to Formula 1. Having failed in a bid to buy Sauber, former McLaren driver Michael Andretti’s US-based motor racing outfit is now looking into becoming the sport’s eleventh team. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, however, says even the ‘anti-dilution’ fee […]
‘Orange and red cars’ take early lead in 2022
Feb.25 (GMM) Mercedes and Red Bull do not appear to be the early pacesetters as the Formula 1 teams begin testing their all-new cars for the radically different 2022 era. “Some teams look really fast,” said Mercedes’ George Russell. “Especially a red team and an orange team.” Lewis Hamilton’s new teammate did not name Ferrari […]
F1 drivers call for Russian GP boycott
Feb.25 (GMM) While still grappling with covid-related restrictions, Formula 1 is now facing down yet another crisis – the Russia-Ukraine conflict. World champions Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso have led the way in calling for Sochi to be dumped from the calendar as a response to the Russian invasion. Even Haas’ Mick Schumacher […]
Andretti needs ‘a billion’ for F1 entry – Wolff
Feb.24 (GMM) A $200 million fee will not be enough to convince existing Formula 1 teams to open the door to an eleventh competitor like Andretti. That is the word of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who earlier said that he thinks the current ten teams are “enough” for a full and healthy F1 grid. It […]
‘Age’ a factor in next Hamilton-Verstappen battle
Feb.24 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is yet to bump into his championship nemesis Max Verstappen in 2022. The last time the pair met eyes was in the immediate aftermath of the highly contentious 2021 title finale in Abu Dhabi, when Hamilton congratulated the new world champion. After that, Hamilton entered a period of radio […]
Mazepin plays down F1 impact of Russia-Ukraine crisis
Feb.24 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin has played down the impact that the new Russia-Ukraine conflict could have on Formula 1. We reported earlier that F1 authorities were “monitoring” the situation, which has only now escalated with reports of a full-scale invasion by Russian forces. Like Russian GP host Sochi, Ukraine is situated close to the Black […]
Vettel signs up familiar F1 physio
Feb.24 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen’s long time fitness coach and physiotherapist has started work with another Formula 1 champion. For almost 20 years, the British physio worked hand-in-hand with 2007 world champion Raikkonen at McLaren, Ferrari and beyond – having worked previously with another Finnish champion, Mika Hakkinen. Now, with 42-year-old Raikkonen finally retiring, 49-year-old Arnall […]
FIA, team bosses, play down Hamilton ‘bias’ claims
Feb.24 (GMM) As Lewis Hamilton launches new claims of F1 steward “bias”, both Toto Wolff and Christian Horner agree that it’s time to move on from the 2021 title controversy. “Maybe we have different opinions, but that’s behind us now,” said Horner, who led Max Verstappen to a controversial victory over Mercedes’ Hamilton last December. […]
Mercedes must ‘calibrate’ new driver pairing
Feb.23 (GMM) The jury is out as to how hard team newcomer George Russell will be able to push Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes this year. As far as team boss Toto Wolff is concerned, the pair have equal status. “We have never been in a situation where we have had a number 1 and a […]
Alpine CEO defends ousting F1 legend Prost
Feb.23 (GMM) Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi has no regrets after F1 legend Alain Prost left his post as a key team advisor and executive. Prost, 66, was scathing of Rossi when news of the split broke, accusing him of “jealousy” and revealing that the Frenchman wanted to “make decisions on his own”. Rossi apparently has […]
F1 ‘monitoring’ Russia-Ukraine war crisis
Feb.23 (GMM) Formula 1 and the FIA are monitoring the escalating situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border, according to a source. As the US orders troops to Eastern Europe amid Vladimir Putin’s apparent aggression against neighbouring Ukraine, Western leaders are busily imposing sanctions on Russia. A full Russian invasion is reportedly now on the cards, with […]
Ecclestone would have helped Verstappen – Tarquini
Feb.23 (GMM) A Bernie Ecclestone-run Formula 1 would have seen Max Verstappen crowned champion “much earlier”. That is the view of former F1 driver Gabriele Tarquini, referring to the continuing controversy surrounding the way Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s intense 2021 title battle concluded in Abu Dhabi. “The stewards almost ruined everything,” the Italian told Russia’s […]