Oct.9 (GMM) Outgoing Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe says the manufacturer’s difficult return to Formula 1 in 2026 has deeply hurt Honda’s pride. Watanabe, who will step down as HRC president and CEO on January 1, told motor.es that Honda had aimed much higher under the new regulations. “Many people had high hopes for […]
Month: October 2026
Nike poised to enter F1 with Vegas announcement
Oct.9 (GMM) Nike is set to enter Formula 1 from 2027, with Bild newspaper reporting that the deal is done and expected to be announced around the Las Vegas GP. Unlike Adidas and Puma, Nike is not expected to outfit a team. Instead, the US sportswear giant will reportedly supply Formula 1 personnel with products […]
Hulkenberg unimpressed by Bottas bike adventure
Oct.9 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas’ 420-kilometre bike ride from Malaysia to Singapore has drawn plenty of admiration – but Nico Hulkenberg was not impressed. Bottas’ early spin at Sepang triggered the Safety Car that ruined Hulkenberg’s gamble on slick tyres, and the Audi driver made that clear when asked about the Finn’s journey. “I would have […]
Mercedes splits cars as Russell misses upgraded engine
Oct.9 (GMM) Mercedes will run different specifications in Singapore, with George Russell returning to the older aerodynamic package while Kimi Antonelli continues with the troublesome Sepang upgrade. Championship leader Antonelli admitted the decision was not entirely his. “I couldn’t really decide much,” he smiled. “But we firmly believe that the new package can work well. […]
Ocon open to reserve role if no F1 race seat
Oct.9 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he would accept a reserve role in 2027 if he cannot secure a Formula 1 race seat, and has ruled out racing elsewhere for now. The departing Haas driver was unusually open about his situation in Singapore. “Still working on it, still discussing,” said the Frenchman. “When I will have […]
Alonso denies Dakar plan, reports insist deal is done
Oct.9 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has denied reports that he will return to the Dakar Rally in 2027, despite Spanish media insisting the project is already arranged and testing will begin next week. SoyMotor has reported that Alonso will drive a Prodrive-built car rebadged as an Aston Martin, with Marc Coma again alongside him as co-driver. […]
Verstappen says Red Bull life calmer without Horner
Oct.8 (GMM) Max Verstappen says life at Red Bull has become less stressful since Christian Horner’s departure, while playing down talk of either a Horner comeback or his own future move to Ferrari. Speaking to the Press Association, Verstappen said he prefers the calmer atmosphere around the team since Laurent Mekies took over. “To be […]
Mercedes to compare old and new packages in Singapore
Oct.8 (GMM) Mercedes will run back-to-back comparisons of its old and new aerodynamic specifications in Singapore after the major Sepang upgrade appeared to make the car worse. Toto Wolff confirmed the plan after the team’s difficult Malaysian weekend. “Malaysia was obviously a very difficult weekend for us,” said the team boss and co-owner. “We have […]
Audi boss rejects F1 exit fears amid VW crisis
Oct.8 (GMM) Audi CEO Gernot Dollner has rejected suggestions that Volkswagen’s deepening financial crisis could threaten the company’s Formula 1 project. The VW Group is undergoing a major restructuring, with around 50,000 job cuts planned globally and a sharply reduced 2026 profit outlook. But Dollner told Sport Bild that Audi’s F1 operation was deliberately structured […]
Vowles pushes cost-cap change for ‘two-tier’ F1 grid
Oct.8 (GMM) James Vowles is pushing for changes to Formula 1’s financial regulations after warning that the budget cap has actually strengthened the dominance of the leading teams. Reports suggest the Williams boss wants teams outside the top four to be allowed additional spending room, with more detailed proposals expected at the next F1 Commission […]
Boeri rules out Monaco track changes
Oct.8 (GMM) Monaco Automobile Club president Michel Boeri has rejected suggestions that the principality’s Formula 1 layout could be altered to improve overtaking. The issue has grown in recent years as Monaco’s lack of passing opportunities has come under increasing criticism, with Monegasque Charles Leclerc even suggesting a possible extension near Portier to create a […]
Minister congratulates Rwanda before F1 deal official
Oct.8 (GMM) South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie has congratulated Rwanda on securing a 2030 Formula 1 race – even though the deal has still not been officially confirmed. Reports this week claim Rwanda has reached an agreement to join the calendar in 2030 with a new permanent circuit near Bugesera International Airport, around 40 […]
Rosberg says father urged him to flee Schumacher
Oct.7 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has revealed that his father Keke urged him to leave Mercedes as soon as Michael Schumacher was confirmed as his teammate for 2010. Rosberg told Der Spiegel that Schumacher’s arrival came as a major shock after he had only recently joined Mercedes from Williams. “That was a total shock!” the 2016 […]
Salo calls Bottas ‘crazy’ over Singapore bike ride
Oct.7 (GMM) Former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo has praised Valtteri Bottas’ extraordinary fitness while questioning his decision to cycle 350 kilometres from Malaysia to Singapore between races. Bottas, who drives for Cadillac, chose to make the journey on his gravel bike rather than fly or drive. “That’s a pretty wild ride,” Salo told Finnish […]
Bottas tax controversy could trigger major F1 legal battle
Oct.7 (GMM) The Italian tax controversy that prompted Valtteri Bottas to question a possible return to Imola could escalate into a major legal battle involving Formula 1 teams. Although F1 has now confirmed Qatar and Abu Dhabi as the final two races of 2026, the dispute over alleged unpaid Italian taxes remains unresolved. Bottas raised […]
Stella admits McLaren has lost ground after upgrades
Oct.7 (GMM) McLaren team boss Andrea Stella admits the team’s recent upgrades have failed to keep it at the front of Formula 1. World champion Lando Norris had appeared to be mounting a resurgence with victories in Hungary and Zandvoort and strong pace in Madrid, but McLaren’s momentum has since faded. The team introduced as […]
Coulthard tips Africa announcement as Rwanda deal emerges
Oct.7 (GMM) David Coulthard has hinted that Formula 1 is preparing to announce its long-awaited return to Africa, with subsequent reports claiming Rwanda has secured a grand prix from 2030. Speaking on his Up To Speed podcast before the latest reports emerged, the former Red Bull driver suggested an announcement was imminent. “I’m hearing rumours […]
Barnard slams ‘artificial’ American-style F1
Oct.7 (GMM) Legendary Formula 1 designer John Barnard has criticised the sport’s modern regulations, accusing its American-influenced approach to entertainment of making competition feel artificial. The 80-year-old Briton, who pioneered carbon-fibre chassis at McLaren and introduced paddle-shift gearboxes at Ferrari, spoke to Corriere della Sera in Turin at the Mauto exhibition ‘I Nemici del Drake’. […]
Russell faces grid penalty as title hopes collapse
Oct.7 (GMM) George Russell’s fading world championship hopes have suffered another major blow, with the Mercedes driver now expected to start Sunday’s Singapore GP from the back of the grid. According to Sky, Russell will need a new power unit following the failure that ended his race at Sepang while running third. The retirement allowed […]
Marko hits back at Horner over book claims
Oct.7 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has hit back at Christian Horner’s claims about Max Verstappen’s arrival at Red Bull, insisting it was actually Horner who initially opposed promoting the then teenaged Dutchman. Horner’s forthcoming autobiography, Drive, reportedly claims that Marko initially did not want Verstappen in the team. But Marko, now retired from his Red […]