Nov.24 (GMM) Shanghai remains scheduled to host China’s return to the Formula 1 calendar next year after a three-year absence for covid. Since the Chinese GP was given an April race date on the 2023 schedule, scepticism has abounded that the country’s ultra-strict ‘covid-zero’ approach would be compatible with F1. “When I saw it was […]
Month: November 2022
Ricciardo won’t attend 24 races in 2023
Nov.24 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says he won’t be attending all 24 grands prix in 2023. That is despite the fact that Red Bull has now confirmed widespread expectations that the 33-year-old Australian is returning to the team next year. The role will involve testing, marketing and simulator work. “Daniel will give us the chance to […]
F1 facing ‘three-way battle’ in 2023
Nov.24 (GMM) Max Verstappen is heading into his winter break vowing to keep the coveted number 1 on his Red Bull for 2023. Throughout his title reign, Lewis Hamilton opted to keep wearing his personal number 44. “Yes, I’ll compete again with the 1,” Verstappen, 25, is quoted by Speed Week. “For me that’s the […]
No new Red Bull talks with Porsche – Marko
Nov.23 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has denied that Red Bull’s negotiations with Porsche are set to resume. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem hinted recently that despite the breakdown in the initial talks between Red Bull and Porsche about 2026, talks with other teams are ongoing. So with Red Bull’s figurehead Dietrich Mateschitz having recently died, […]
Alonso more than happy with Aston Martin car
Nov.23 (GMM) Fernando Alonso sounds more than happy with his new Formula 1 team. The Spaniard has switched from Alpine to Aston Martin for 2023, and he got off to an early start in Abu Dhabi with testing in an unbranded green car that was driven only last week by the now-retired Sebastian Vettel. On […]
Leclerc not ruling out Ferrari exit
Nov.23 (GMM) Charles Leclerc is not ruling out a move from Ferrari in the future. The Monaco-born driver, who is currently on a long-term contract, admitted that the 2022 season was “up and down” for the Maranello team. But Leclerc, 25, told France’s L’Equipe that “mistakes can happen when you push to the max” – […]
Wolff admits Ricciardo signing for Red Bull
Nov.22 (GMM) Toto Wolff admits Daniel Ricciardo is poised to sign a contract with Red Bull for 2023. The McLaren refugee had reportedly been in talks about a third driver role with both Red Bull, for whom he raced in Formula 1 previously, and fellow top team Mercedes. “There were certainly discussions,” Mercedes boss Wolff […]
Verstappen tackles ‘sadness’ when booed – Lammers
Nov.22 (GMM) Dutch GP boss Jan Lammers says he sees “sadness” in Max Verstappen’s eyes when he is booed by Formula 1 spectators. The booing is a relatively modern phenomenon in F1 that is also experienced regularly by seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton. But in Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen marked the end of his […]
Perez’s father should ‘stay out’ of F1 – Villeneuve
Nov.22 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve has urged Sergio Perez’s father to “stay out” of the controversial public discussions about his son’s place in Formula 1. After the team orders controversy of Brazil, the discord between Red Bull drivers Perez and Max Verstappen was still a topic of conversation in Abu Dhabi. That’s when Perez’s father Antonio […]
Three F1 names predict Vettel ‘comeback’
Nov.22 (GMM) Three well-known former Formula 1 drivers think Sebastian Vettel will return to the grid one day. Hans-Joachim Stuck, a German racing legend, said he was astonished by the celebrations of the quadruple world champion’s retirement last weekend in Abu Dhabi. “I can’t remember a driver ever getting such a farewell,” he told Sport1. […]
Alpine’s 2023 lineup ‘better’ than original plan – boss
Nov.22 (GMM) Team boss Otmar Szafnauer says Alpine’s 2023 teammate is “better” than the Renault-owned team’s original plan. The Enstone based team had intended to pair the continuing Esteban Ocon with Oscar Piastri next year – before rookie Piastri denied his 2023 contract was valid and he signed with McLaren. “I am happy because our […]
Russell beating Hamilton ‘irrelevant’ – Wolff
Nov.22 (GMM) Toto Wolff says it’s “irrelevant” that George Russell beat seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton in their first year as Mercedes teammates in 2022. Not only did Russell, 24, finished two places and 35 points ahead of Hamilton in the drivers’ standings, the more than decade-younger Briton also secured Mercedes’ sole race win […]
Hulkenberg not sorry about ousting Schumacher
Nov.22 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg insists he has “absolutely no worries” about becoming Kevin Magnussen’s teammate at Haas next year. The 35-year-old is returning to Formula 1 next year to replace his much younger German compatriot Mick Schumacher. Some think Haas boss Gunther Steiner was too hard on Schumacher. “Gunther is Gunther – that’s his management […]
Verstappen ‘done’ with long 2022 season – father
Nov.21 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s father says the back-to-back reigning world champion is more than ready for the winter break. “Try not to do too much,” Max, 25, smiled when asked what he has planned for the short break that now lies ahead before the 2023 season gets into full swing. Ultimately, in the Abu Dhabi […]
Three more manufacturers eyeing F1 in 2026
Nov.21 (GMM) Honda, Porsche and perhaps even Ford may be about to surprise the Formula 1 world by signing up for the new 2026 engine rules. According to Auto Motor und Sport, although some think Honda’s potential decision would be a deeper collaboration with Red Bull, the energy drink company appears determined to maintain full […]
Vettel could return as F1 team boss – Marko
Nov.21 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel could return to Formula 1 as a driver – or even a team boss. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, a top Red Bull official who as head of Red Bull’s driver program brought a then teenaged Vettel onto the grid some 15 years ago. Abu Dhabi was a […]
Sargeant ends Schumacher’s F1 hopes for 2023
Nov.21 (GMM) Mick Schumacher’s last chance of staying on the Formula 1 grid in 2023 evaporated in Abu Dhabi. Williams boss Jost Capito had admitted there was still a 2 percent chance a race seat could open up again if Logan Sargeant did not secure his F1 super license. But the 21-year-old American ultimately secured […]
Ferrari yet to sign up for F1’s 2026 rules
Nov.20 (GMM) Ferrari is yet to sign up for Formula 1’s new engine rules in 2026. Initially, the FIA set a deadline of October 15 for the 2026 entries – but it was then extended as talks about the new rules rolled on and only Audi signed up. A new deadline of November 15 was […]
President says FIA lawyer did not leak Red Bull news
Nov.20 (GMM) FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has lashed back at suggestions a former Toto Wolff-linked lawyer is the source of a media leak. Ever since Shaila-Ann Rao was made the FIA’s interim secretary general of sport earlier this year, many wondered if her previous links to Wolff and Mercedes would bias her decisions. Then, […]
Haas gave Schumacher ‘time’ to shine – Hulkenberg
Nov.20 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says Haas gave Mick Schumacher time to prove he deserved the Haas seat for 2023. The 35-year-old, who has been without a full-time race seat since 2019, says he began serious talks with the small American team “during the summer break”. “After that it was bit by bit,” Hulkenberg, in Abu […]