Apr.17 (GMM) Top MotoGP rider and six-time champion Marc Marquez has hit back at the notion that Fernando Alonso should have hung up his helmet. Ferrari’s 26-year-old Charles Leclerc this week declared that although Alonso “deserves his place” on the grid, “there are so many young people who deserve a place” too. “It’s not easy […]
Month: April 2024
Ferrari refugee Sainz denies suddenly surging in form
Apr.17 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has hit back at the notion that his form as a driver has drastically improved in 2024, just as Ferrari also ended its habit of getting race strategies badly wrong compared to a year ago. Last year, post-race internet memes constantly poked fun at Ferrari’s often disastrously-botched race strategies. And Sainz, […]
F1 CEO plays down talk of 25-race calendars
Apr.17 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali says Formula 1 has no interest at present in expanding the annual race calendar beyond a bustling 24 grands prix. The sport hit that eye-watering number for the first time ever last year, and the FIA and F1 have now jointly published another 24-race schedule for 2025. In response to the […]
Mercedes move may not happen for Sainz
Apr.17 (GMM) Carlos Sainz’s rumoured move to Mercedes for 2025 may not yet be set in stone. What is for sure is that Toto Wolff’s choice to replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton next year is yet to be officially announced. It is clear that the team boss and co-owner’s number 1 target is Max Verstappen, […]
Aston Martin already has 2026 F1 ‘head-start’ – report
Apr.17 (GMM) Fernando Alonso may simply have extended and expanded his existing contract, but it could be a strategic masterstroke according to one specialist report. Auto Motor und Sport pointed out that when the former two-time champion explained his motives for staying with Aston Martin not only in 2025 but also 2026, he used the […]
Schumacher linked with 2025 switch to Indycar
Apr.16 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has emerged as a potential leading candidate to make the leap into Indycar for 2025. The 25-year-old son of Michael Schumacher has yet to write off his goal of returning to Formula 1, currently splitting his time between the world endurance championship with Alpine and his F1 reserve duties at Mercedes. […]
Vergne hails Verstappen’s Formula E backing
Apr.16 (GMM) Former F1 driver Jean-Eric Vergne has hailed Max Verstappen’s attitude towards the all-electric and often-derided motor racing series Formula E. Once positioning itself as a future competitor to Formula 1, Formula E is today filled with top carmakers but still criticised by many for lacking speed. “It’s not a category I would like […]
Porsche waiting for Vettel’s comeback decision
Apr.16 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has left Porsche waiting for his decision about returning to premier motor racing. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, with a cockpit still to fill for 2025, recently admitted the retired quadruple world champion is currently “flirting” with a comeback. However, Red Bull ruled out a reunion with the 36-year-old German, while the […]
Leclerc lukewarm about Alonso’s new F1 contract
Apr.16 (GMM) Charles Leclerc is only lukewarm about Fernando Alonso’s decision to keep racing in Formula 1 despite the fact that he is almost 43 already. The continuing Aston Martin driver’s decision, however, has the full backing of his long-time confidante and team ambassador Pedro de la Rosa. “I am very happy about Alonso’s renewal,” […]
Works Audi deal ‘dangerous’ for Sauber – Villeneuve
Apr.16 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve is sceptical about Audi’s forthcoming works Formula 1 project. The 1997 world champion is actually a big fan of the VW-owned German carmaker, having recently received his custom order – a fully personalised and bright pink RS6. What he is less supportive of is Audi’s choice of Formula 1 partner – […]
No Alfa Romeo F1 return for ‘ethical’ reasons – CEO
Apr.16 (GMM) Alfa Romeo will return to premier motorsport – but it probably won’t be Formula 1. The luxury Italian carmaker exited F1 at the end of last season, as the naming deal with Sauber ended and the Swiss team continued its current transition to full works Audi ownership. And from the perspective of Alfa […]
Crashes to have ‘medium term’ effect on Williams
Apr.15 (GMM) Williams’ tumultuous season so far has put a spanner in the works of the team’s plans to develop its 2024 car. Multiple crashes by Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant so far leave the team desperately short not only of spare parts but also scrambling to repair chassis and produce a spare monocoque. When […]
Steiner linked with buy-out of Red Bull’s second F1 team
Apr.15 (GMM) Gunther Steiner could be shaping up for a high profile return to Formula 1 team management. Since losing his long-time role in charge of Haas over the winter following disagreements with team owner Gene Haas, Steiner has remained present in the F1 paddock. His official role has been as television pundit for various […]
Red Bull wary as F1 finally returns to China
Apr.15 (GMM) Red Bull is not being complacent about its likely performance as Formula 1 finally returns to China this weekend. The team has been dominant so far in 2024, but given Max Verstappen’s reliability DNF in Melbourne, and Ferrari’s improved form, the gaps in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships remain modest for now. Also […]
Andretti still hoping to get F1 ‘ok’ for 2026 debut
Apr.15 (GMM) Andretti-Cadillac is still hoping to be on the Formula 1 grid in 2026. That is despite the fact that, notwithstanding the FIA’s approval, Formula 1 owner Liberty Media issued a firm ‘no’ to the hopeful American team entrant at least until GM has its own engine up and running by 2028. But Andretti […]
‘Peace’ or ‘friction’ after Red Bull power struggle?
Apr.15 (GMM) “Peace” has broken out at Red Bull, according to former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. It’s definitely true that, amid the high-profile off-track power struggle and the Christian Horner scandal, Melbourne and Japan were significantly quieter weekends for the dominant Red Bull team. But there’s still plenty of action bubbling away in the background. […]
Sainz to Mercedes in 2025, Italian newspapers agree
Apr.15 (GMM) Multiple authoritative Italian newspapers are all citing insider sources who believe Carlos Sainz is set to race for Mercedes in 2025. What was just speculation last week is inching closer to reality, thanks to the reports in black and white at La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica, and other Italian […]
Test, sprint details missing from 2025 calendar
Apr.15 (GMM) A few question marks continue to hang over the newly-announced Formula 1 season calendar for 2025. Another 24-race calendar awaits next year, with both F1 and the FIA confirming speculation that it will be Melbourne rather than Bahrain that opens the schedule on 16 March – due to Ramadan. FIA president Mohammed ben […]
Fleeing McLaren chief on way to struggling Alpine – rumour
Apr.12 (GMM) Alpine might soon get a much-needed technical boost in the form of a long-time and highly respected former Ferrari engineer. Last year, Ferrari’s head of vehicle concept, David Sanchez, left Maranello to go on ‘gardening leave’. The Frenchman then re-emerged for 2024 and beyond as McLaren’s new technical director. However, in a shock […]
Ice-cream venture won’t be F1 distraction – Leclerc
Apr.12 (GMM) Charles Leclerc insists he remains fully committed to Formula 1 – despite launching into the ice-cream industry. Recent rumours suggested the Ferrari driver wanted to open an ice-cream parlour in his native Monaco – but the initiative then gained speed. Now, in collaboration with Italian gelato company Grom and his manager Nicolas Todt, […]