Feb.4 (GMM) Formula 1’s plan to expand the new ‘sprint qualifying’ format to as many as seven grand prix weekends in 2022 is in tatters. Recently, we reported that the big three teams – Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari – were demanding extra allowance under the new budget cap to compensate for the supposedly additional […]
Category: Recent stories
Title controversy ‘not good’ for F1 – MotoGP boss
Feb.4 (GMM) The “controversy” surrounding the end of the ultra-intense 2021 world championship is not a good thing. While the maxim ‘all publicity is good publicity’ is often the case, MotoGP supremo Carmelo Ezpeleta says that doesn’t apply to the way the Max Verstappen versus Lewis Hamilton saga ended last year in Abu Dhabi. “I […]
2022 car rules ‘hard to understand’ – Piero Ferrari
Feb.3 (GMM) Piero Ferrari, the living son of team founder Enzo Ferrari, admits he must put his faith in the fabled Maranello marque to ace the all-new regulations for 2022. The billionaire, Ferrari vice chairman and 10 percent owner says he keeps getting asked by friends to explain what is being described as one of […]
Hamilton using his ‘power’ for F1 change
Feb.3 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has the personal “power” to force change in Formula 1. That is the view of Dutch racing driver Jeroen Bleekemolen, amid rumours Hamilton’s current radio silence and retirement hints are compelling the FIA to take action following the highly controversial 2021 season finale. “Hamilton is trying to increase the pressure on […]
Schumacher ‘ready’ for new Ferrari role in 2022
Feb.2 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has set his sights on regular appearances in Q2 this year as he prepares for his second season in Formula 1. The son of F1 great Michael Schumacher spent much of the off-season with his sister Gina at the family’s horse ranch in Texas. “I am ready for the new season […]
Leclerc not Ferrari’s number 1 driver – Capelli
Feb.2 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has not managed to establish himself as Ferrari’s clear number 1 driver. That is the view of former F1 driver and Italian motor racing official Ivan Capelli, who said the Maranello based team must allow Carlos Sainz to begin the 2022 season “on par” with Leclerc. Last week, top Red Bull […]
Red Bull also denies failing crash test
Feb.2 (GMM) Red Bull has also pushed back at claims it failed one of the FIA’s stricter new mandatory crash-test rules ahead of the all-new regulations era beginning in 2022. The energy drink-owned team’s key 2021 rival Mercedes this week denied suggestions its own new chassis, the W13, did not pass the tough new side […]
Ricciardo ‘jealous’ of Verstappen-Hamilton duel
Feb.2 (GMM) Max Verstappen has “something in common” with notorious Formula 1 greats Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. “I would not compare them because it’s impossible,” Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko told Autorevue. “We are talking about different eras. “But they do have something in common – total focus. You could even call it ruthlessness. […]
F1 confirms mandatory vaccination for 2022
Feb.1 (GMM) Formula 1 has confirmed reports that all drivers, travelling team staff and other personnel in the F1 paddock must be vaccinated against covid-19 from 2022. Following the debacle surrounding number 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic’s deportation from Australia earlier this month, Melbourne GP officials indicated that there would be no exception to vaccination […]
Marko hails Liberty for budget cap, Netflix
Feb.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has offered rare praise for the current commercial rights holders of Formula 1 – Liberty Media. The American media company has attracted plenty of criticism since taking over the sport and ousting Bernie Ecclestone five years ago, but new world champion Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko approves of the latest […]
Schumacher ‘ready’ for Ferrari seat – Domenicali
Feb.1 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is “ready” to step up to a full race seat at Ferrari. That is the view of none other than Stefano Domenicali, who long before becoming Formula 1’s CEO worked closely alongside Mick’s famous father Michael at the Maranello based team. “I had the privilege of working with Michael at Ferrari,” […]
‘Important’ Hamilton feels ‘comfortable’ – F1 CEO
Feb.1 (GMM) F1’s CEO hopes Lewis Hamilton is back in action in 2022. Stefano Domenicali’s latest comments come as the seven time world champion finally breaks his post title defeat silence – with a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. “I wish you a Happy Chinese New Year,” said the Mercedes driver. “May […]
Mercedes denies failing 2022 crash test
Feb.1 (GMM) Mercedes has denied reports that its all-new W13 car for the 2022 regulations recently failed a mandatory FIA crash test. “W13 completed full FIA homologation on 13 January,” the Brackley based team, whose Lewis Hamilton failed at the last hurdle to win the 2021 title, announced in order to contradict the rumours. There […]
Domenicali plays down Vettel’s F1 ‘criticism’
Jan.31 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali has played down quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel’s concerns about the future of Formula 1. The German driver recently expressed concern that the category is falling behind on sustainability and environmental matters – and could be defunct in a decade. “I don’t want to take that as criticism,” F1 CEO Domenicali […]
‘Quite late’ to confirm 2022 sprint races – Horner
Jan.31 (GMM) It is getting late in the day to confirm the sprint qualifying format for 2022, according to Red Bull boss Christian Horner. We reported recently that some teams are arguing they need extra funds from Formula 1 to cover the additional racing this year, with F1 hoping to run six weekends this year […]
Wolff regrets verbal spats with Horner
Jan.31 (GMM) Toto Wolff admits he regrets getting into a tit-for-tat verbal spat with rival Formula 1 team boss Christian Horner in 2021. As the pair’s respective Mercedes and Red Bull teams battled for the title last year, Wolff and Horner’s relationship deteriorated badly via the media. “I really regret it,” Mercedes boss Wolff admitted […]
Verstappen salary ‘close to the limit’ – Marko
Jan.31 (GMM) Red Bull is set to kick off contract negotiations with new world champion Max Verstappen. The move comes amid ongoing speculation about whether Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton will quit Formula 1 – but Dr Helmut Marko doubts Red Bull is set to lose its star Dutchman. “Even if Hamilton retires, I doubt that Max […]
Crash test trouble for Mercedes, Red Bull cars
Jan.31 (GMM) There are reports that likely championship contenders Red Bull and Mercedes have both struck trouble with the official FIA crash testing of their respective 2022 cars. Another rumour is that Aston Martin has fallen behind with its program to produce an all-new car for this season, although the Silverstone based team denies it. […]
Capito open to F1 talks with Volkswagen
Jan.31 (GMM) Jost Capito is refusing to deny that he would be interested in a chat with Volkswagen executives. The German is currently Williams’ team boss, but prior to that he was the highly successful director of the German giant VW’s motorsport program. He is therefore well placed to comment on rumours that VW brands […]
‘New race director’ likely in 2022 – FIA
Jan.31 (GMM) F1’s governing body has admitted that under-fire race director Michael Masi’s job is set to change in 2022. Officially, the FIA declared at the weekend that “no decision” has been taken, amid reports Masi will be joined by ‘race co-directors’ this year. And Peter Bayer, who is the head of Formula 1 matters […]