Jul.2 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin says he is driving a heavier car than the one raced more successfully by his high-profile teammate Mick Schumacher. “I wouldn’t say it’s unacceptable, it just complicates my job,” said the Russian rookie, whose Formula 1 debut this year has been tumultuous so far. “It does have quite a big impact […]
Category: Recent stories
Mercedes still working on 2021 car – Bottas
Jul.2 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has admitted that Mercedes is still working on developments for its 2021 car. His title-contending teammate Lewis Hamilton has now returned to Austria after a rare intensive session in the team simulator for the seven time world champion. “I can’t say that I’ve enjoyed it, particularly after these few difficult races […]
Ecclestone backs Alfa Romeo move for Schumacher
Jul.1 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has backed Mick Schumacher’s potential move to Alfa Romeo for 2022. Earlier this week, we reported rumours that the Ferrari-backed rookie might switch from uncompetitive Haas to the other Ferrari-powered satellite team next year. “I don’t really think about what will happen next year,” Schumacher was quoted as saying. “Let’s see […]
‘Loyal helper’ Bottas deserves seat – Ecclestone
Jul.1 (GMM) James Allison thinks Valtteri Bottas “deserves” his seat at Mercedes. Mercedes’ technical director, who is stepping into a less intense role from this month, this week contradicted Toto Wolff’s claim that the 2021 car will no longer be developed. Now, he Allison has thrown another spanner in the works regarding speculation that Bottas, […]
Hamilton ‘no longer the best’ in F1 – Ecclestone
Jul.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is no longer clearly the best driver in Formula 1. That is the view of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who thinks Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has the ability and the car to win the title in 2021. “He is talented, fast, but he also needs a bit of luck,” the […]
Honda doubts Mercedes has stopped developing car
Jul.1 (GMM) Two more leading Red Bull-Honda chiefs have rubbished Toto Wolff’s claim that Mercedes will not spend another “minute” developing the 2021 car. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has already insisted he “can’t imagine” that Mercedes won’t bring a single new part to the title battle this year. Dr Helmut Marko also doesn’t […]
Ecclestone helped Vettel ‘to be happy again’
Jul.1 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone admits he helped Sebastian Vettel to secure his place in Formula 1 with Aston Martin this year. Despite a slow start for the quadruple world champion in 2021, the former Racing Point team appears to now be enjoying its collaboration with Vettel. “Sebastian has enhanced the way we do things,” team […]
Mazepin ‘less experienced’ than other rookies – Salo
Jul.1 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin could be struggling in 2021 due to a simple lack of experience. That is the view of former F1 driver and current FIA steward Mika Salo, commenting on the fact that the Russian’s fellow 22-year-old rookie teammate Mick Schumacher has led the way at Haas this year. “Mazepin has so much […]
More candidates may run for FIA president – Todt
Jul.1 (GMM) Outgoing FIA president Jean Todt insists he is not picking a side as two candidates line up to succeed him. Graham Stoker and Mohammed Ben Sulayem have stepped forward as the only candidates so far vying to take over from 75-year-old Frenchman Todt at the end of the year. “I know there are […]
Perez handling one-year contract ‘pressure’
Jul.1 (GMM) Sergio Perez says he can handle the “pressure” of his expiring one-year contract. After an early struggle, the 31-year-old Mexican is now performing well alongside championship leader Max Verstappen at Red Bull. It has triggered speculation he is set to be retained for another season. “A driver always does his best, whether he […]
60,000 may attend second race in Austria
Jul.1 (GMM) A maximum crowd of 60,000 can gather for the second race in Austria this weekend. Last weekend, local covid restrictions capped the spectator numbers at just 15,000. However, many of those restrictions are now easing. “The Dutch people are coming and they will give Verstappen a second per lap,” beamed Dr Helmut Marko, […]
Alonso reveals 2021 comeback talks with Red Bull
Jul.1 (GMM) A rule to spice up the show is only likely to widen the performance gap between the faster and quicker cars this weekend. That is the warning of F1 veteran Fernando Alonso, referring to the softer allocation of tyres in Austria this weekend coupled with the existing rule requiring the top-10 drivers to […]
McLaren ‘need’ Ricciardo to score more points
Jul.1 (GMM) McLaren is turning up the heat on struggling team newcomer Daniel Ricciardo. Although earlier renowned as one of the best drivers in Formula 1, the 31-year-old Australian has notably struggled since joining impressive younger teammate Lando Norris this year at McLaren. The team is currently locked in a close battle with Ferrari to […]
‘Distractions’ hurting Mercedes in 2021 – Binotto
Jul.1 (GMM) Mercedes has fallen behind because of “distractions” rather than the improvement of title rival Red Bull’s Honda engines. That is the view of Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto, who rejects Mercedes’ argument that the newly-fitted Honda specification took a major leap forward at Paul Ricard. “Our GPS data shows that the performance of […]
Three teams could skip practice sessions
Jul.1 (GMM) Three teams are warning they could sit out practice sessions as a result of the new ‘sprint qualifying’ trial that is set to debut at the British GP. Due to the format change, parce ferme conditions will be pushed forward to Friday – and some teams are warning that their cars’ clutches will […]
Only ‘details’ left in Hamilton talks – Wolff
Jun.30 (GMM) Toto Wolff is confident he will soon reach a deal to keep Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes beyond 2021. Media reports in the past days have suggested that the Mercedes chief is targeting a conclusion to the talks and announcement of a new two-year deal around the August break. Wolff told Osterreich newspaper this […]
‘Great’ to see Mercedes under ‘big pressure’ – Wurz
Jun.30 (GMM) Alex Wurz says it’s “great” that F1’s formerly dominant Mercedes team is finding itself under intense pressure in 2021. With Max Verstappen now leading the standings by 18 points, Red Bull has clearly raced ahead in the development race – with Toto Wolff insisting efforts to add upgrades to the 2021 Mercedes have […]
Allison contradicts Wolff over 2021 upgrade plans
Jun.30 (GMM) Mercedes’ technical chief has contradicted boss Toto Wolff’s claims that the reigning champions will not put “another minute of development” into the 2021 car. In Austria last weekend, it became clear that the tide has definitely turned in Formula 1 as Red Bull’s championship leader Max Verstappen dominantly won. Afterwards, Lewis Hamilton called […]
Alfa Romeo not sure if Raikkonen staying in 2022
Jun.30 (GMM) Alfa Romeo’s engineering boss isn’t sure if 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will continue to race for the Swiss based Formula 1 team beyond 2021. Raikkonen, 41, is the oldest and most experienced driver on the grid, and until 2021 generally had the edge over his teammate Antonio Giovinazzi. But in 2021, the […]
F1 figures slam Verstappen ‘burnout’ ban
Jun.29 (GMM) Three Formula 1 personalities have slammed the sport’s governing body for clamping down on the type of chequered flag ‘burnout’ indulged by Max Verstappen last Sunday. To the chagrin of former Bridgestone engineer Kees van der Grint, race director Michael Masi said moves like that “will not be tolerated” from the championship leader […]