May 19 (GMM) Africa could be Formula 1’s next new destination, even though the sport has decided not to replace the axed Russian GP this year. The New York Times claims a deal between former F1 host Kyalami, located near Johannesburg in South Africa, is “close to being completed”. “Johannesburg is definitely on our list,” […]
Month: May 2022
FIA stamping authority over Hamilton – Popov
May 19 (GMM) The FIA’s new president is stamping his authority over Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton, according to well-known Russian F1 commentator Alexey Popov. A British newspaper claims seven time world champion Hamilton and Mercedes boss Wolff were vocally upset when Mohammed Ben Sulayem suggested axed race director Michael Masi may soon get another […]
Andretti to nurture American drivers in F1
May 19 (GMM) The only way to open the door for American drivers in Formula 1 is for a truly American team like Andretti to get the green-light. A big share of the existing ten teams are arguing against Michael Andretti’s project being green-lighted by Liberty Media and the FIA on the grounds that it […]
‘Disastrous’ Spanish GP predicted for Vettel
May 19 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel will have a “disastrous” weekend in Barcelona and decide to quit Formula 1 at the end of the season. That is the sensational prediction of former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, even though Aston Martin’s hopes are high for what pundits are calling the introduction of a ‘B’ car in Spain […]
No Indy 500 comeback ‘feeling’ for now – Alonso
May 19 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he has parked his ambition to win the Indy 500 for now. This year’s fabled event at Indianapolis has already kicked off, but since returning to Formula 1 last year 40-year-old Alonso says he is fully focused on Alpine. “I feel physically and mentally fresh to continue a few […]
Wolff denies Hamilton now number 2 driver
May 19 (GMM) Toto Wolff denies that George Russell has already taken over as Mercedes’ number 1 driver. 24-year-old Russell, who replaced Valtteri Bottas at the end of last season, has been more competitive than seven time world champion Hamilton in the struggling 2022 car. Former F1 drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve think a […]
Schumacher may be ‘concerned’ about F1 seat
May 18 (GMM) Mick Schumacher may have reason to be “concerned” about his Formula 1 career. That is the view of former driver Christian Danner, responding to the clear dip in 23-year-old Schumacher’s progress at the start of his second season in F1. Last year, the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher dominated his then […]
‘Tired’ Raikkonen’s exit gave Alfa Romeo boost
May 18 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen’s retirement only partly explains the big step forward made by Alfa Romeo in 2022. One factor may be the arrival, fresh from five years alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, of the Swiss-based team’s new Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas. “We’re definitely not falling back,” Bottas said when asked about Alfa Romeo’s […]
F1 teams admit Monaco GP in danger
May 18 (GMM) Formula 1 team bosses admit that rumours suggesting Monaco needs to change gear in order to keep its historic annual street race on the calendar are not wide of the mark. As the sport dramatically shifts gear with new races at venues including Miami and Las Vegas, it is becoming clearer that […]
Axed Mazepin set for racing return
May 18 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin will keep his racing instincts alive by contesting the Dakar-style Russian Silk Way off-road rally. Last month, the Russian driver – who was ousted from Formula 1 as part of widespread western sanctions against the Ukraine conflict – admitted that his F1 career is “on hiatus”. “But I have been […]
Verstappen ‘a little better’ than Leclerc
May 18 (GMM) World champion Max Verstappen is “a little better” than his 2022 title rival Charles Leclerc. That is the view of former Formula 1 driver Shinji Nakano, who also thinks the difference between Ferrari’s Leclerc and his teammate Carlos Sainz is becoming clear. “The difference in their driving style is becoming clearer this […]
Vettel invited to test Formula E car
May 18 (GMM) As rumours about Sebastian Vettel’s future continue, the quadruple world champion has received another alternative job offer. The 34-year-old German, who is undecided about signing another contract with Aston Martin beyond 2022, has already been invited to test an Indycar and work alongside F1 legend Gerhard Berger in the German DTM series. […]
GPDA boss not backing Hamilton’s jewellery stance
May 17 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s stance against the jewellery clampdown in Formula 1 is not backed by the president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association. With the seven time world champion and new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem at loggerheads over the new safety push, GPDA president Alex Wurz admits he is on the FIA’s […]
Vettel to ‘say goodbye’ after 2022 contract
May 17 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel loos likely to be racing away from Formula 1. After the Miami GP, the quadruple world champion shaved his shaggy beard to appear on the BBC’s flagship Question Time panel show where he admitted to being an environmental hypocrite. “These are questions that I ask myself every day,” said the […]
Alpine, Renault backing Andretti’s F1 bid
May 17 (GMM) Alpine has emerged in support of Michael Andretti’s bid to add an eleventh team to Formula 1. Although the enthusiasm of Liberty Media, the FIA and at least half of the existing teams has been lacklustre, former driver Andretti’s former F1 employer – McLaren – is in support. Andretti’s father, F1 legend […]
Celebrity DJ slams VIP treatment at Miami GP
May 16 (GMM) Criticism of the otherwise glitzy, popular and celebrity-rich inaugural Miami GP is continuing to flow. The Formula 1 drivers aimed fire at the track layout and asphalt surface, but there were also rumblings that the company charged with running the VIP-oriented Paddock Club were being inundated with post-event complaints. One such complaint […]
Ferrari budget cap claims ‘nonsense’ – Marko
May 16 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says it’s “nonsense” that Red Bull is already blasting through its limited allocation of money for car development in 2022. His denial comes as the total peace between reigning champion Max Verstappen’s team and that of championship leader Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari ends. Red Bull officials questioned in Miami whether […]
Verstappen not ruling out Red Bull move
May 16 (GMM) Max Verstappen is not ruling out a move from Red Bull – after 2028. Early this year, the 24-year-old reigning world champion signed up with the energy drink-owned team for the long-term, on a deal worth a staggering $50-plus million per year. “I feel really good in the team. There is no […]
‘B’ car for Aston Martin, paint tweak for Ferrari
May 16 (GMM) Aston Martin will reportedly unveil a ‘B-spec’ car in Barcelona this weekend. It comes after a notably uncompetitive start for the Lawrence Stroll-owned team so far under the new 2022 rules regime, as it also tries to convince Sebastian Vettel to sign another new contract. “Aston Martin wants to bring half a […]
No ‘big step’ from Schumacher in 2022 – boss
May 16 (GMM) Mick Schumacher did not make “a big step” between his first season in Formula 1 last year and 2022. That is the admission of Gunther Steiner, the boss at Haas who according to Schumacher’s highly experienced uncle Ralf does not “fit together in character” with 23-year-old Mick. Indeed, Steiner was highly critical […]