May 6 (GMM) Toto Wolff has dismissed as “nonsense” reports suggesting he may replace Valtteri Bottas with George Russell before the end of the 2021 season. When asked about the rumours by Osterreich newspaper, including the assertion that Lewis Hamilton is ‘almost always’ ahead of Bottas, the Mercedes team boss replied: “Nonsense. “Bottas is really […]
Category: Recent stories
F1 says Barcelona staying on calendar – Sainz
May 5 (GMM) Formula 1 has made it “very clear” that Barcelona’s future on the annual calendar is not in doubt, according to Carlos Sainz. Recently, when it emerged that Miami would finally be added to the schedule in 2022, rumours emerged that the race could be at the expense of the Spanish GP – […]
‘Not many changes’ for Ferrari in 2021 – Sainz
May 5 (GMM) A new floor will still not be added to Ferrari’s race package this weekend in Barcelona. The Italian team tested the component in practice at Portimao but did not use it in qualifying or the race. But Corriere della Sera correspondent Daniele Sparisci said new parts will be added to the 2021 […]
Sainz learning to ignore criticism in F1
May 5 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he is learning to ignore those who criticise Formula 1 drivers. The Ferrari driver was asked what he thought of recent criticism of his famous Spanish countryman Fernando Alonso’s return to F1 this season. “I am amazed how quickly people draw conclusions,” Sainz responded. “They do not realise the […]
Spectators to attend Spanish, Monaco GPs
May 5 (GMM) Spectators will be watching from the grandstands at the next two grands prix in Spain and Monaco. The Circuit de Catalunya, scene of this weekend’s race in Barcelona, announced that although the general public will not be allowed access, plans have been drawn up for a crowd of 1000 people on Sunday. […]
2022 Russia GP venue switch confirmed then denied
May 5 (GMM) The relocation of the Russian GP became semi-official late on Tuesday – before the information was quickly denied. We reported last weekend that concrete plans are afoot to have the race moved to a new circuit in Leningrad Oblast, Igora Drive, after this year’s Sochi event. On social media, someone posted a […]
Hamilton the stand-out 2021 driver so far – Sainz
May 5 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is already emerging as the standout driver of the 2021 season, according to Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. This year’s title battle is being billed as a head-to-head between the seven time world champion and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. “The truth is that I was surprised how easily Hamilton passed Verstappen […]
Schumacher, Horner reject mid-season Bottas axe rumours
May 5 (GMM) Rumours that Valtteri Bottas could lose his Mercedes seat before the end of the season do not “make sense”, according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher. Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper quoted a team source as saying there is “unrest” at Mercedes about the Finn’s performance. “He is not up to it, which […]
Bottas ‘lacking confidence’ for title fight – Sirotkin
May 4 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas appears to be “lacking some confidence” as his teammate and Max Verstappen race away at the top of the drivers’ standings in 2021. That is the view of former Williams driver Sergey Sirotkin, as he assesses why Bottas has not only fallen behind Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen but even McLaren’s […]
Norris posing ‘mammoth task’ for Ricciardo – Glock
May 4 (GMM) Lando Norris is “the man of the midfield” at present, and he presents a “mammoth task” for his experienced McLaren teammate Daniel Ricciardo. That is the view of former Formula 1 driver Timo Glock, who has been impressed with Norris’ ability to stand out amid the sport’s “very competitive” midfield of 2021. […]
Vettel ‘hired to make Lance Stroll look better’
May 4 (GMM) Two faces familiar to the F1 paddock have questioned the motives behind Aston Martin’s signing of quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel this year. The Lawrence Stroll-owned team signed up 33-year-old Vettel despite his poor final seasons at Ferrari, who decided to replace him for 2021 and beyond with Carlos Sainz. Former HRT […]
Wolff ‘can’t imagine’ Hamilton leaving
May 4 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he “can’t imagine” Mercedes’ collaboration with Lewis Hamilton ending once the driver’s current one-year contract expires late this year. The seven time world champion caused a stir last weekend when he clearly expressed his desire to keep racing beyond 2021 – even though he recently agreed only to a […]
Abiteboul back in F1 with Alpine-linked company
May 4 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul will remain connected with the world of Formula 1. At the end of last year, Renault – having decided to re-brand as Alpine – suddenly ousted its French team boss as Davide Brivio arrived from MotoGP and Marcin Budkowski was promoted. Little has been heard about 43-year-old Abiteboul since then […]
Red Bull won’t abandon Verstappen’s 2021 chances – Marko
May 4 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says Red Bull will not abandon development of its 2021 car – even with the radical new 2022 technical regulations now looming large in Formula 1. Most teams not in contention for ultimate spoils this season are already turning the bulk of their resources towards developing brand new cars […]
Marko admits Mercedes engine situation ‘tense’
May 3 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has admitted the situation is “a bit tense” between Red Bull and Mercedes at present. And that’s not just because of the close championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, but because their respective team bosses are clashing too. For instance, Christian Horner told Toto Wolff to mind […]
Kvyat to consider ‘proposals’ for F1 future
May 3 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he wants to return to Formula 1 next year – although he’s not ruling out a move to another series. The Russian had a rollercoaster 100-plus race career in the sport but lost his Alpha Tauri seat – and Red Bull’s backing – at the end of last season. […]
Early start for 2021 title ‘mind games’ – Schumacher
May 3 (GMM) The “mind games” between Formula 1’s title protagonists have begun tantalisingly early in 2021, according to former driver Ralf Schumacher. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are keeping their battle civil at least publicly, but 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg says their respective bosses “can’t stand each other”. Indeed, Mercedes’ Toto Wolff has […]
Schumacher beating Mazepin ‘completely’ – Rosberg
May 3 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is “completely” showing up his fellow rookie teammate in his first season of Formula 1. That is the view of Nico Rosberg, although Mick’s uncle Ralf also had high praise for his 22-year-old nephew. “That was zero points with an asterisk,” said Ralf. “It’s a pleasure to watch him,” added […]
Verstappen rejects Rosberg’s Hamilton-beating advice
May 3 (GMM) Max Verstappen has responded to 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg’s advice about his head-to-head championship battle with Lewis Hamilton. As Hamilton’s teammate, Rosberg managed to win the 2016 title before immediately retiring. He thinks Verstappen is currently making too many mistakes. “Max had the faster car, which we also saw here in […]
Wolff ‘happy’ to consider 2022 Mercedes lineup
May 2 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he is “happy” that news of his initial talks with Lewis Hamilton about the seven time world champion’s future at Mercedes have “come out”. Hamilton, who after protracted and difficult negotiations only agreed a one-year Mercedes deal for 2021, said at Portimao that he decided to do the Pirelli […]