May 18 (GMM) Speculation Sebastian Vettel might retire at the end of 2020 is ramping up, with McLaren revealing that it never even negotiated with the Ferrari refugee. “The subject of Sebastian was never raised with us,” team boss Andreas Seidl, who is reported to have been close with the quadruple world champion, told Sky […]
Category: Recent stories
Alonso ‘ready to return’ – Briatore
May 18 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is “ready to return” to Formula 1, according to his long-time manager Flavio Briatore. Speculation that Spaniard Alonso, 38, is close to signing with his former team Renault to replace Daniel Ricciardo in 2021 is now rife. France’s Auto Hebdo is reporting that a pre-agreement is already signed, while Marca […]
Lance Stroll signed up for 2021 – Szafnauer
May 18 (GMM) Lance Stroll is already signed up to remain at Racing Point – to be called Aston Martin by then – in 2021. That is the news of Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer. The Silverstone based team is owned by Stroll’s father, Lawrence Stroll. It was already known that Sergio Perez is staying […]
Montezemolo denies eyeing FIA presidency
May 18 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has dismissed reports that he could become the next FIA president. Although it is rumoured Jean Todt could try to stay on beyond his expiring term next year because of the corona crisis, former Ferrari president Montezemolo has been linked with the job. “I read about that hypothesis,” Montezemolo, […]
Ecclestone wants to leave Brazil
May 18 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has decided to leave Brazil and return to Europe, according to Germany’s Bild newspaper. For the duration of the pandemic so far, the former F1 supremo has been at his wife Fabiana’s coffee plantation and farm in Brazil. But Ecclestone, 89, says Fabiana’s pregnancy means they now want to go […]
Russia eyes first 2020 race with spectators
May 18 (GMM) Russia could be the first country to host a Formula 1 race with spectators in 2020. That is the view of Alexey Titov, boss of the Sochi race promoter Rosgonki. He says the current plan is for the race to go ahead exactly as scheduled on September 27. “I think our race […]
Tilke hits back at F1 circuit complaints
May 18 (GMM) Hermann Tilke has hit back at one of the main criticisms made about the circuits his company designs for Formula 1. “Sometimes I feel the urge to respond to criticism,” said the German, who has inked many of the current tracks including Bahrain, China, Abu Dhabi and others. “We are always criticised […]
Safety car driver not paid during crisis
May 18 (GMM) Many in Formula 1 and motorsport are living without an income at present, according to safety car driver Bernd Maylander. He told Auto Motor und Sport that he is one of those people who needs the races to actually take place before being paid. “I am a freelancer,” said the German. “I […]
F1 must organise enough races in 2020 – Marko
May 18 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says it is crucial that Formula 1 manages to organise a minimum number of races amid the corona crisis in 2020. A draft calendar featuring 19 races between July and December is currently doing the rounds on the internet, but there are doubts about how many of them will […]
F1 plan sent to Austrian government for approval
May 15 (GMM) The fate of the planned 2020 ‘season opener’ in Austria should be known within days. The news agency Austria Presse Agentur reports that the full written plan for dealing with back-to-back races in July amid the corona crisis has been sent by promoter Red Bull and Formula 1 to the Austrian government. […]
Alonso looks set for F1 return with Renault
May 15 (GMM) At the end of a sensational ‘silly season’ week for Formula 1, it now emerges that Fernando Alonso looks to be returning to the sport and Renault next year. Sources report that the deal is almost done, with Renault, Alonso and his manager Flavio Briatore all dropping photographic hints on social media […]
Ferrari tester says Sainz ‘not number 2 driver’
May 15 (GMM) Opinions are split as to whether Carlos Sainz is an obvious ‘number 2’ driver for Charles Leclerc. Some believe the fact that Sebastian Vettel is departing, and that Daniel Ricciardo was not the one to replace him, demonstrates that Ferrari wanted a driver for a supporting role alongside new clear number 1 […]
Giovinazzi not yet ready for Ferrari – Binotto
May 15 (GMM) A Ferrari race seat would have been “too much responsibility” for Antonio Giovinazzi. Those are the words of team boss Mattia Binotto, as he explained why 25-year-old Carlos Sainz – a driver developed by Red Bull – has been chosen to be Charles Leclerc’s 2021 teammate. 25-year-old Italian Giovinazzi, on the other […]
Vettel’s next career move unclear – Binotto
May 15 (GMM) Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto says he isn’t sure what Sebastian Vettel will do beyond 2020. The parties are splitting up after the current unusual ‘season’, with quadruple world champion Vettel now linked either with retirement or a move to Mercedes or Renault. “I believe that the decision, with transparency and clarity, shows […]
McLaren switch ‘a risk’ for Ricciardo – Salo
May 15 (GMM) Jumping ship to McLaren is “a risk” for Daniel Ricciardo. That is the view of former F1 driver Mika Salo, after Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul slammed Australian Ricciardo for not renewing his contract with the works team. “In our sport, and particularly within the current extraordinary situation, reciprocated confidence, unity and commitment […]
Lack of ‘understanding’ caused Vettel divorce – Ferrari
May 14 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has clarified yet again that there is no room for Red Bull’s former champion Sebastian Vettel alongside Max Verstappen next year. The Austrian team official admits there has been contact with the quadruple world champion, but “We can’t afford to have two superstars on our team”. “We don’t want […]
‘Mercedes or nothing’ for Vettel in 2021 – report
May 14 (GMM) Reports that Sebastian Vettel is set to sign for McLaren for 2021 are apparently wide of the mark. Shortly after the four-time world champion’s Ferrari exit was announced, Auto Bild claimed a new deal with countryman and McLaren boss Andreas Seidl was on the cards. “McLaren and Vettel would be a mega […]
Alonso set to replace Ricciardo for 2021
May 14 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo looks set to leave Renault. Melbourne’s Age newspaper said an announcement to that effect is expected early on Thursday. It is rumoured that he will replace the Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz at McLaren for 2021. Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul hinted that the French team needs to save money on drivers for […]
Ferrari hints ‘young driver’ to replace Vettel
May 14 (GMM) Ferrari is eyeing “another young driver” to be Charles Leclerc’s new teammate for 2021. That is the admission of Ferrari vice chairman Piero Ferrari, who is the late Enzo Ferrari’s son. This week, the Maranello team announced that Sebastian Vettel will depart at the end of the year. The leading candidate to […]
Spa shown green light to re-open circuit
May 14 (GMM) Spa-Francorchamps has been given a tentative green-light to re-open the Belgian GP venue. It comes after race boss Vanessa Maes said last week that Spa is waiting for authorities to allow preparations for its original August 30 grand prix date to resume amid the corona crisis. Currently, mass events in Belgium are […]