Jun.10 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has left open the door to possible retirement at the end of 2020. At the age of 40, and with over 300 grands prix to his name, the 2007 world champion is the oldest and most experienced driver in Formula 1. When asked if this year will be his last, Raikkonen […]
Category: Recent stories
Ferrari legality saga not over yet
Jun.10 (GMM) As Formula 1 begins to race out of the corona crisis, the 2019 Ferrari engine legality saga looks set to return. The FIA has issued a range of new technical directives regarding operation of the hybrid engines, believed to be based on the controversial secret agreement reached with Ferrari. One of the new […]
Indy eyes F1 race as soon as 2021
Jun.10 (GMM) Another grand prix in the United States could take place as soon as 2021 – but not in Miami. Rather, the idea is being championed by new Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske. He said he is looking into whether there is the “opportunity for a Formula 1 race” there in “2021, 2022 […]
Michael Schumacher to undergo treatment
Jun.10 (GMM) Michael Schumacher is set to undergo an operation, according to the Italian source Contro Copertina. Cardiac expert professor Philippe Menasche, who reportedly treated the F1 legend last year as well, is said to be in charge of another round of heart cell transfusion. “The goal is to regenerate Michael’s nervous system,” he is […]
New Campos F1 team ‘still alive’ – partner
Jun.9 (GMM) A potential new Formula 1 team is still clinging to its project through the corona crisis. Late last year, Formula 2 boss Adrian Campos and business partner Salvatore Gandolfo announced that they are working on a new F1 team project. But last week, former Sauber driver Pascal Wehrlein, who was initially named as […]
‘Everyone affected’ amid F1 corona crisis – Todt
Jun.9 (GMM) More than two teams are hurting amid the corona crisis, according to FIA president Jean Todt. In fact, the Frenchman is quoted by La Presse as saying the shutdown of factories, racing and income has “affected everyone” in Formula 1. “The epidemic has financial consequences not limited to one or two teams in […]
Middle East set to join ‘corona calendar’ – Wolff
Jun.9 (GMM) Toto Wolff thinks the first overseas races will soon be added to the alternative ‘corona calendar’ for 2020. Only eight spectator-less races at six European venues have been unveiled so far for the initial post-shutdown period beginning in July. But Mercedes boss Wolff thinks that will soon change. “I believe and I hope […]
Sim drivers to have an edge in Austria – Rosberg
Jun.9 (GMM) Nico Rosberg thinks F1 drivers who have spent the corona shutdown at the wheel of home simulators will be the best prepared for the resumption of racing next month. Like Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Valtteri Bottas and other active F1 stars, retired 2016 world champion Rosberg also spends time at the […]
F1 supports Hamilton’s political views
Jun.9 (GMM) F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn says he “completely” supports Lewis Hamilton’s political views. In a series of recent social media posts, six time world champion Hamilton hit out at those staying silent about the policy custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Not just that, the Mercedes driver is scathing of British PM […]
No more ’50 million’ contracts for Hamilton – Ecclestone
Jun.8 (GMM) The days when Lewis Hamilton earns eye-popping amounts of money per year from Formula 1 are over. That is the view of Bernie Ecclestone, who warned the six-time world champion against “playing poker” with Mercedes over his expiring current contract. “Lewis will never make EUR 50 million (per year) again,” the former F1 […]
Bill Gates tipped to attend F1’s ‘corona’ re-start
Jun.8 (GMM) Bill Gates is slated to attend the opening ‘ghost race’ of 2020 in Austria. Austrian reports suggest that Red Bull owner and fellow billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz has personally invited the American magnate – who made his money at Microsoft and now fronts the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – to attend. When asked […]
Binotto chides Mercedes for reverse grid veto
Jun.8 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has revealed that Ferrari was in favour of Liberty Media’s ‘reverse grid’ idea for the initial spectator-less races in 2020. It was reported that both Mercedes and its ally Racing Point had vetoed the plan, arguing it was too gimmicky for Formula 1. Ferrari team boss Binotto is not happy about […]
Wolff buys back some Williams shares – source
Jun.8 (GMM) Toto Wolff has reportedly bought back into struggling F1 team Williams. The British team, which recently revealed that it is for sale, was actually Wolff’s route into Formula 1 when he bought shares in 2009. Wolff become Williams’ executive director in 2012 but joined Mercedes the following year. He sold 20 percent of […]
Indycar owner reveals Ferrari talks
Jun.8 (GMM) Ferrari has already had talks about joining Indycar for 2022, according to series owner Roger Penske. Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has indicated that the Maranello team could avoid sacking staff due to the incoming F1 budget cap by moving excess personnel over to another racing program. “Concern is not the word, it’s more […]
Binotto admits Ferrari not favourite for Austria
Jun.8 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has admitted Ferrari is not the favourite to win the first ‘ghost races’ of 2020. Figures for both Mercedes and Red Bull are saying that, based on winter testing, the Maranello based team is not in a position to win on merit in Austria next month. When asked if the problems […]
Sainz ‘fast enough’ to be champion – Binotto
Jun.8 (GMM) Ferrari will not prevent Carlos Sainz from becoming a world champion in red. That is the insistence of team boss Mattia Binotto, after Spaniard Sainz also denied that he has been signed as number 2 driver for 2021. However, Binotto admits that Ferrari is betting big on Charles Leclerc. “We invested a lot […]
Engine rules tweaks revealed before 2020 re-start
Jun.8 (GMM) One month before the racing resumes, the FIA has installed some new engine rules in the wake of the Ferrari legality scandal of 2019. During the corona shutdown, the big news was all about budget caps and the ‘silly season’, including Ferrari’s decision to replace Sebastian Vettel with Carlos Sainz for 2021. Nico […]
Binotto hopes Vettel moves to Mercedes
Jun.8 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has denied that Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel parted ways because of the details of a proposed contract. Some reports have suggested that the Maranello team was insisting on a significantly less lucrative contract and just a one-year extension for the quadruple world champion. But team boss Binotto told Spain’s Marca: “It […]
Mercedes hits out at ‘worse tyre’ for 2022
Jun.5 (GMM) James Allison says the 18-inch rims for 2022 means that Formula 1 is switching to a “worse tyre” that is heavier and slower. Mercedes’ technical boss noted the current tyre specifications have remained similar for “decades”, and surmised that the new rule is essentially for the aesthetic effect and road car relevance. “This […]
Verstappen ‘anxious’ ahead of 2020 re-start – Marko
Jun.5 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko admits that the corona crisis has rattled Max Verstappen. The Red Bull official says his star Dutch driver will not attend a couple of planned promotional events ahead of the back-to-back season re-start in Austria. “I have to say that he is anxious,” Marko told RTL. “We had a couple […]