Feb.19 (GMM) McLaren insists it is not worried about the new wing flexibility tests in Formula 1. The team was at the centre of the flexibility controversies of 2024, and a month ago the FIA issued a technical directive tightening up the testing measures for the new season. After the F1 Commission meeting in London […]
Month: February 2025
Red Bull’s likely F1 reserve secures super license
Feb.18 (GMM) The next in line for a seat at Red Bull’s second Formula 1 team, Racing Bulls, is clearly Arvid Lindblad. With Liam Lawson stepping up to become Max Verstappen’s teammate this year, and rookie Isack Hadjar replacing Lawson at Racing Bulls, the energy drink-owned F1 concern is notably missing an obvious reserve driver […]
F1 launch event not for ‘hardcore fans’ – Wolff
Feb.18 (GMM) “Hardcore fans” may not be looking forward to Tuesday’s unprecedented collective launch for the 2025 season at a sold-out O2 arena in London. Instead of the usual approach, where the ten teams individually take the wraps off their new cars, F1 owner Liberty Media organised a massive event that all teams, drivers and […]
Mick Schumacher admits ‘shyness’ hurt F1 career
Feb.18 (GMM) Mick Schumacher believes his shyness partly explains his reputation in Formula 1 as a crash-prone driver. After two seasons on the Mercedes reserve bench in the wake of his two-year Haas career, the German has set aside his F1 dream for now to totally focus on the WEC with Alpine. However, he thinks […]
Mercedes engine a key reason for Sainz move
Feb.18 (GMM) Carlos Sainz openly admits that a key reason for choosing Williams as his new Formula 1 home is the Mercedes engine. Already with a title-winning power unit in the current regulations era, Mercedes’ customer engine program is also clearly a success given that McLaren won the constructors’ championship in 2024. So with the […]
Leclerc ‘reputation’ on the line in 2025 – Allievi
Feb.17 (GMM) One of Italy’s most celebrated Formula 1 journalists thinks Charles Leclerc’s reputation is on the line in 2025. Although just 27, this year will be Leclerc’s eighth consecutive season on the grid. He retains a reputation as one of F1’s very best drivers, but some have begun to question whether he will ever […]
Barcelona ‘not considering’ Spa-style F1 rotation
Feb.17 (GMM) A top official insists Barcelona is “not considering” joining Spa-Francorchamps in agreeing to take part in Formula 1’s new race rotation scheme. With a ten-year contract in its pocket, Madrid is joining the F1 calendar from 2026 – the last year of existing Spanish GP host Barcelona’s race contract with the sport. Nonetheless, […]
Williams not ‘flat’ despite ‘low’ expectations – Sainz
Feb.17 (GMM) Carlos Sainz admits his expectations for good results in 2025 are very low. For the past four years, the Spaniard was half of a very effective driver lineup at Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc. He was replaced for 2025 and beyond with seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Sainz, 30, was diplomatic when asked […]
FIA president wants Chinese manufacturer on F1 grid
Feb.17 (GMM) Mohammed Ben Sulayem admits he already has a preferred contender to move into the final team garage in the Formula 1 pitlane. Having fought hard against Liberty Media and the existing ten teams, the FIA president ultimately got his wish of welcoming Cadillac as the eleventh team for 2026 and beyond. Now he’s […]
Schumacher admits clinging to F1 dream ‘too tightly’
Feb.17 (GMM) Mick Schumacher admits he may have “clung too tightly” to the idea that he may return to the Formula 1 grid. After losing his Haas seat at the end of 2022, the German patiently served as Mercedes’ full-time reserve driver for two years. For 2025, he has been replaced by Valtteri Bottas, with […]
Doohan ‘certainly’ facing in-season 2025 axe – driver
Feb.17 (GMM) One former driver is anticipating an early end to Jack Doohan’s brand new Formula 1 career in 2025. With Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon locking out the Williams race lineup for now, and the team needing money more than another driver, boss James Vowles agreed to a reported five-year ‘loan’ of Franco Colapinto […]
Teams to ‘take stock’ very early in 2025 – Vasseur
Feb.17 (GMM) Some teams may upgrade their cars only once this year, Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur admits. Anticipation is now building for a closely-fought 2025 championship, with Williams and Haas now joining McLaren in getting their new cars out on track. Even title contender McLaren’s 2025 car is strongly reminiscent of its constructors’ championship-winning 2024 […]
Mika Salo unlikely to continue as F1 steward
Feb.17 (GMM) Mika Salo doubts he will be serving as an occasional Formula 1 steward this year. Fellow former F1 driver Johnny Herbert was actually scheduled to serve as a steward at the opening grand prix of 2025 in Melbourne next month. But the FIA performed a u-turn, concluding that Herbert’s parallel media work – […]
F1 finally admits reason for scrapping bonus point
Feb.14 (GMM) Formula 1 axed the bonus point for fastest lap for the 2025 season because it was “controversial”. Last October, the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council ratified the removal of the extra point for a top-10 finisher – but did not explain why. Many suspected it was directly related to a highly controversial incident […]
Red Bull, Audi, Aston all rejected Vettel – report
Feb.14 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has revealed that he issued a clear “no” to Sebastian Vettel’s desire to return to Formula 1 in 2025 with Red Bull. Amid the swirling rumours about Sergio Perez’s uncertain future last year, advisor Marko admits the team’s former quadruple world champion Vettel picked up the phone. That is despite […]
Aston Martin expectations ‘low’ for 2025 season
Feb.14 (GMM) Aston Martin’s expectations are “low” for the 2025 season. That’s the claim of the team’s new simulator driver Dani Juncadella, who told L’Angle Del Miramar podcast that the all-new regulations for 2026 and beyond will be a key focus this season. The team finished fifth overall in 2024, but Aston Martin struggled to […]
Alpine ‘must’ fight for title in 2027 – Briatore
Feb.14 (GMM) Alpine is hoping for the odd podium in 2025, regular top-three finishes in 2026, “and in 2027 we must be able to fight for the title”. That’s the word from team advisor Flavio Briatore, after announcing that he has successfully wooed the Italian oil giant Eni back to Enstone and Formula 1. Since […]
Journalists notice modified McLaren for 2025 season
Feb.14 (GMM) McLaren has revealed to the world some significant modifications to its title-winning Formula 1 car for the all-new season. For the last year of the current regulations, each team will undoubtedly base their 2025 car on the previous version. In McLaren’s case, it powered them to the 2024 constructors’ championship. But McLaren is […]
Verstappen hoping for ‘more stable’ 2025 season
Feb.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen is openly hoping for a “more stable” season with Red Bull in 2025. F1 legend Gerhard Berger – the first-ever Red Bull-backed athlete – this week lamented the turmoil and performance decline at the F1 team last year. “It will be exciting to see whether Red Bull can return to its […]
Conflict could derail Rwanda’s F1 race bid
Feb.13 (GMM) African country Congo has thrown a spanner in the works of neighbouring Rwanda’s clear plans to join the Formula 1 calendar. When Rwandan capital Kigali hosted the FIA’s end-of-year prize giving gala in December, its president Paul Kagama took the opportunity to formalise the country’s intentions to become host of the African GP. […]