Aug.10 (GMM) Max Verstappen has played down the parallels between his battle with Lewis Hamilton and the fierce and notorious Senna vs Prost saga of the past. “A fight like Senna and Prost had? That sounds good,” the Dutchman smiled to Bild newspaper. “But seriously, I don’t think about it too much,” Red Bull’s Verstappen […]
Category: Recent stories
Ferrari ‘ready’ to aim for 2022 title – Sainz
Aug.10 (GMM) It is “only a matter of time” before Carlos Sainz delivers his full promise at Ferrari. That is the view of boss Mattia Binotto, who recently declared that Sainz’s arrival alongside Charles Leclerc in 2021 has given Ferrari the best driver lineup in Formula 1. However, the Spanish driver admits that 2021 is […]
Russell’s Mercedes move is ‘clear’ – Schumacher
Aug.10 (GMM) It is “clear” that George Russell is headed to Mercedes for 2022, according to former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher. That is despite the fact that 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve thinks Toto Wolff and Lawrence Stroll might be working on a shock alternative plan. According to Villeneuve, it could be Aston Martin […]
Up to Ricciardo to improve pace – Stella
Aug.10 (GMM) There is “nothing” McLaren can do to get Daniel Ricciardo fully up to speed in the 2021 team’s car. That is the admission of top team engineer Andrea Stella, amid rising criticism of Australian Ricciardo’s form alongside the decade-younger Lando Norris this season. “He admitted it himself after Monaco,” said Dutch racing legend […]
Renault opposed to four-cylinder F1 engine idea
Aug.9 (GMM) Renault has declared itself opposed to proposals to ditch the basic V6 architecture of Formula 1 engines for the new period after 2025-2026. Red Bull, who are taking over Honda’s engine operations from next year, are pushing for a “completely new engine” – reportedly in a potential bid to attract the backing of […]
2022 calendar could be released in September – CEO
Aug.9 (GMM) Although even the 2021 schedule remains in a state of flux, Stefano Domenicali says next year’s Formula 1 calendar will be announced in the coming weeks. Covid is still casting a shadow over forthcoming races such as Zandvoort, Turkey, Japan, Mexico and Brazil – but F1 CEO Domenicali is nonetheless working hard on […]
Raikkonen ‘still very motivated’ – Vasseur
Aug.9 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen should “make way” for a younger replacement, according to Dutch racing legend Tom Coronel. Coronel, 49, told the Dutch magazine Formule 1: “I think he’s bleeding to death. “Kimi is obviously good for the media side, but he doesn’t stand out anymore. And when that happens, you have to make way […]
Sochi close to half-capacity Russia GP sellout
Aug.9 (GMM) Organisers of the Russian GP are close to selling out tickets for the race at Sochi in late September. While dark covid-shaped clouds hang over some other venues scheduled to host races later in 2021, Sochi is pressing ahead with plans for a 50 percent capacity crowd. “This season, like last year, the […]
Marko slams ‘nonsense’ Honda engine rumours
Aug.9 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has slammed as “total nonsense” rumours that Honda was forced to turn down the engine power at recent races. As Mercedes clearly upped the pace in the 2021 title race against Red Bull, rumours circulated that the FIA may in fact have quietly clamped down on a rule loophole being […]
New paddock for Hungary in new F1 deal through 2037
Aug.6 (GMM) Hungary has secured its long-term future on the Formula 1 calendar. The country’s national innovation minister Laszlo Palkovics was at the Hungaroring last weekend for talks with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. Incredibly, although the race near Budapest already had a contract until 2032, that has now been extended for a further five years […]
No ‘lies or selfishness’ in Alonso pairing – Ocon
Aug.6 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is not only perhaps the best driver ever, he is also seriously misunderstood even within the Formula 1 paddock. That is the view of Esteban Ocon, who won his first grand prix in Hungary last weekend thanks in part to his famous Alpine teammate. F1 legend Alain Prost called 40-year-old Alonso’s […]
Albon says 2022 F1 cockpit talks ‘begin now’
Aug.6 (GMM) A new contender has emerged for the potential vacancies at Williams and Alfa Romeo for 2022. Alex Albon lost his Red Bull seat at the end of last year, but he has remained a reserve driver as well as racing with the energy drink company’s support in the German series DTM. The 25-year-old […]
Spa still ‘safe’ enough for F1 – Masi
Aug.6 (GMM) Spa-Francorchamps is safe enough to keep hosting the fabled Belgian GP, according to F1 race director Michael Masi. With the death in 2019 of Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert not forgotten, a similarly-scary crash at the exit of Eau Rouge took place during the recent 24-hour sports car race. Williams reserve Jack Aitken […]
Covid clouds hang over several 2021 races
Aug.6 (GMM) Dutch GP organisers are still working at “full throttle” on plans for a full house of spectators at Zandvoort in early September. That is despite the fact that an August 13 deadline is now looming – when the government will decide if key covid restrictions can be dialled back. “If we wait with […]
Schumacher slams Vettel’s disqualification appeal
Aug.5 (GMM) It is pointless for Aston Martin to appeal Sebastian Vettel’s disqualification from the Hungarian GP. That is the view of former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, following Vettel’s exclusion over a fuel rules breach. FIA scrutineers were only able to extract a third of the required 1 litre of fuel from the German’s car […]
Schumacher admits 2021 performance ‘average’
Aug.5 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has given himself an “average” grade for the first half of his rookie season in Formula 1. Gunther Steiner raised the hackles of Mick’s uncle Ralf Schumacher after Hungary, where the Haas team boss had criticised a spate of recent crashes. “I just hope he apologised to Mick,” Ralf told Sky […]
Perez’s father leads project for Cancun GP
Aug.5 (GMM) Sergio Perez’s father Antonio was a notable visitor to the Hungarian GP paddock last weekend. But according to Reforma, a Mexican newspaper, he wasn’t there simply to watch his son drive his Red Bull. Rather, Perez snr was leading a delegation of Mexican businessmen who met with FIA and Formula 1 officials to […]
Ferrari backs Red Bull over budget cap tweak
Aug.5 (GMM) Ferrari has joined Red Bull in arguing that the budget cap rules need a tweak. In Hungary, it wasn’t only both Red Bulls who got taken out at the first corner – the engine in Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari was also irreparably damaged by a separate incident sparked by Lance Stroll. One of the […]
Mercedes has found more engine power – Marko
Aug.4 (GMM) Mercedes has floored the throttle in terms of engine power in the battle for the 2021 titles, according to Dr Helmut Marko. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen appeared to be racing into a comfortable lead until Silverstone and Hungary, where incidents with Mercedes drivers left him 8 points adrift Lewis Hamilton. But also at […]
Tiktum denies leaving Williams over Latifi insult
Aug.4 (GMM) Dan Tiktum’s on-again, off-again flirtation with a career in Formula 1 has been flicked back into the ‘off’ position. The controversial 22-year-old Briton’s name first came to prominence as a member of Red Bull’s famous driver program, but he joined Williams’ similar program ahead of the 2020 season. Currently fourth overall in Formula […]