Jun.2 (GMM) An unnamed Ferrari insider has admitted that the Maranello team is planning to succeed by rallying around Charles Leclerc. Not long after former number 1 and quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel was ousted for 2021 and beyond, the insider told Auto Motor und Sport: “Charles Leclerc is our future.” Using football tactics to […]
Category: Recent stories
‘Complicated’ for F1 to get up and racing again – Kubica
Jun.2 (GMM) Robert Kubica says he has a “big” desire to get back to work at the race tracks. As Alfa Romeo tester and a DTM race driver, the Pole had been shaping up for a very busy season when the corona crisis struck. “The situation is still dynamic, but one thing is certain,” he […]
F1 world still waiting for ‘corona calendar’
Jun.2 (GMM) Formula 1 is now expected to publish its official ‘corona calendar’ of initial spectator-less races in Europe on Wednesday. Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto wrote in La Gazzetta dello Sport that the fact the team factories are all now awaking from a prolonged shutdown period “is not only a sign of optimism but […]
Wave of US politics rolls over Formula 1
Jun.2 (GMM) A wave of politics is rolling over Formula 1 amid widespread protests and rioting throughout America. Although the world championship is British and European based, six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton began the new trend among F1 drivers, personalities and teams by hitting out at those “staying silent” after a death in custody in […]
Boss wants Williams to keep name after sale
Jun.1 (GMM) Williams will have new colours once the racing gets up and running in July. Last Friday, the famous backmarker team not only announced its split with title sponsor Rokit, Williams also admitted it may be sold. “This certainly doesn’t mean that the team won’t go on for many years,” team deputy Claire Williams, […]
‘A lot happening’ at Mercedes – Marko
Jun.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko thinks “a lot is happening” behind the scenes at Mercedes. The Red Bull chief’s former charge Sebastian Vettel, who will leave Ferrari at the end of the year, is being linked with a move to Mercedes for 2021. Others say Vettel could go to ‘Aston Martin’ – which according to […]
No intention of ‘ever’ leaving Red Bull – Verstappen
Jun.1 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he would like to spend his entire Formula 1 career at Red Bull. Early this year, the Dutch driver signed a reportedly lucrative new contract through 2023. The 22-year-old told local broadcaster Radio 538: “Yes, I want to stay with Red Bull and I have no intention of ever leaving. […]
Signing Alonso risks Renault ‘revolution’ – Zecchi
Jun.1 (GMM) A former F1 team boss has warned Renault that signing Fernando Alonso for 2021 could be dangerous. The French works team’s boss Cyril Abiteboul has admitted that filling Daniel Ricciardo’s place by reuniting with former two-time champion Alonso is “an option”. “It could be a lot of drivers,” Abiteboul told the RMC program […]
Ferrari had ‘safer’ options than Sainz – Kubica
Jun.1 (GMM) Robert Kubica admits he was “surprised” when Ferrari decided to sign up Carlos Sainz as a replacement for Sebastian Vettel next year. “If the relationship was not good and not getting better, then it’s better to make a decision,” the Polish driver told Corriere della Sera. “I was a little surprised but I […]
F1 not entering ‘pay-driver’ era – Danner
Jun.1 (GMM) Formula 1 is not about to enter the era of the so-called ‘pay-driver’, according to Christian Danner. As a result of the corona crisis, which is also threatening established midfield teams like McLaren and Renault, it is feared that teams may need to lean even more heavily on drivers who can take substantial […]
‘Unclear’ if media can attend F1 ghost races
Jun.1 (GMM) It is not clear if television broadcasters will be allowed to attend F1’s first ‘ghost races’ in Austria next month. The sport is poised to unveil its plan for spectator-less races on Monday, but RTL commentator Florian Konig says he isn’t sure if he will be there. “We have deliberately not done that […]
Marko ‘proud of Austria’ as F1 gets green light
Jun.1 (GMM) Formula 1 is poised to announce an initial 2020 calendar featuring spectator-less ‘ghost races’ in Europe. Austrian health minister Rudolf Anschober says the safety plan reviewed by the government in the past days for back-to-back races in early July satisfies “the requirements in the corona period”. Dr Helmut Marko, representing race promoter Red […]
Rusty F1 drivers ‘not big problem’ – Magnussen
Jun.1 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen remains hopeful Haas will keep him on board for 2021. With the racing set to resume without spectators next month, the Dane says he is eager to emerge from the sport’s shutdown period. “I think I’ve used the break well,” he told BT newspaper. “I have been relaxing with Louise and […]
‘Weird’ reverse grid idea ‘worth a try’ – Salo
Jun.1 (GMM) Mika Salo says reverse grid races are “worth a try” as Formula 1 looks to emerge from its coronavirus shutdown. The sport is tipped to reveal its initial European ‘ghost race’ schedule on Monday, and reports suggest Liberty Media wants to use the opportunity to revive its idea of shaking up the race […]
Hamilton slams ‘white-dominated sport’
Jun.1 (GMM) F1’s reigning world champion has slammed the “white-dominated sport” for “staying silent” amid the latest political turmoil. In recent days, the death in custody of a black man in Minneapolis has sparked protests but also violent and destructive riots across the United States. Lewis Hamilton is now calling out his F1 colleagues for […]
Renault announces it is staying in F1
May 29 (GMM) Renault is staying in Formula 1 for now. Amid serious financial problems for the French carmaker, interim CEO Clotilde Delbos on Friday announced that she will save EUR 2 billion by slashing 15,000 jobs. However, the Enstone and Viry-based works Formula 1 team will race on. “We have said publicly and confirm […]
Williams reveals it is for sale
May 29 (GMM) Backmarker Formula 1 team Williams has admitted it may be sold. On Friday, the former world champions admitted that after slumping to dead last in 2019, a $16 million profit has now become a similar sized loss. And that was before the corona crisis struck. In a statement of its disappointing annual […]
Sainz happy to be paired with ‘best’ drivers
May 29 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he is happy rather than intimidated at the thought of being paired with a driver of Charles Leclerc’s calibre at Ferrari next year. The Spaniard, who has been signed to replace Sebastian Vettel for 2021, says he has always dreamed of being paired with “the best” drivers. “It is […]
Government poised to announce Austria GP decision
May 29 (GMM) A decision about whether F1’s 2020 season can restart in Austria is now imminent. Formula 1, and race promoter Red Bull, have submitted a safety plan for the back-to-back ‘ghost races’ for July to the Austrian government. Health minister Rudolf Anschober now says that a decision should be made “immediately after Pentecost”. […]
Wehrlein not interested in midfield F1 return
May 29 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein appears to have withdrawn his support for a potential new Formula 1 team. Even amid the corona crisis, a prospective new team called Panthera Team Asia that is set up near Silverstone insisted: “Our goal is Formula 1 in 2021.” And late last year, another potential new project headed by […]