Sep.2 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda is shaping up as the most likely rookie on Formula 1’s 2021 grid. The 20-year-old Japanese, who won the Formula 2 feature race at Spa Francorchamps, is strongly backed by Honda as well as Red Bull’s famous driver program. “We are waiting for a Japanese driver in Formula 1, and we […]
Category: Recent stories
Melbourne 2021 in doubt, rival venue could step in
Sep.2 (GMM) A small town in South Australia has emerged as a potential Formula 1 venue for 2021. The country’s usual grand prix host, Melbourne, is currently in full lockdown, with the local Victorian government just announcing the extension of state of emergency provisions for the next six months at least. Rival state South Australia […]
Just three days of winter testing in 2021
Sep.2 (GMM) There will be just three days of winter testing before the 2021 season kicks off, according to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. The amount of winter testing has been reducing steadily over the past seasons, with two three-day tests taking place in Barcelona in late-February this year. But that number is reportedly going […]
F1 owners Liberty ‘a bit naive’ – Marko
Sep.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says the top bosses at F1’s owner Liberty Media are often “a bit naive”. The Red Bull chief was asked by Der Spiegel to comment on the fact that, after three decades, Formula 1 is scrapping its deal with German free to air broadcaster RTL in favour of a more […]
Too soon to write off Kvyat – Petrov
Sep.1 (GMM) It is too soon to write off Daniil Kvyat’s Formula 1 career. That is the view of Vitaly Petrov, who before Kvyat was the sport’s first ever Russian driver. Following criticism from Red Bull’s driver guru Dr Helmut Marko recently, many are now predicting that Kvyat will be ousted to make room for […]
FIA to investigate Giovinazzi crash
Sep.1 (GMM) The FIA is investigating the way in which George Russell’s car struck a flying wheel at high speed during the Belgian GP. In a highlight of the race at Spa, Russell struck the bouncing wheel of Antonio Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo after the Italian driver crashed. “It was bad luck that I hit it, […]
Hamilton admits quitting French lessons
Sep.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton admits he started to learn French – and then quickly gave it up. The six-time world champion told Belgium’s RTBF broadcaster that he aimed to learn his second language during the long coronavirus shutdown. “Yes it’s true, I tried, but it didn’t last very long,” Hamilton admitted. “I’m crazy – I […]
Honda to keep improving Red Bull’s engine
Sep.1 (GMM) Honda’s technical boss admits the Japanese manufacturer needs to keep working to improve its power unit. Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko claims that – qualifying aside – Honda is now the best engine manufacturer in Formula 1 behind Mercedes. Honda technical boss Toyoharu Tanabe said: “I am satisfied with our sixth consecutive […]
Ferrari ‘likely’ to court Mercedes’ Cowell
Sep.1 (GMM) Mercedes’ engine guru Andy Cowell could make the switch to Ferrari, according to a respected Italian journalist. Before getting his promotion at Mercedes in 2013, Cowell reportedly began flirting with a move to Maranello. “He changed his mind after the resignation of Stefano Domenicali,” claims Corriere dello Sport’s Daniele Sparisci. “Now he is […]
Pirelli can spice up F1 with soft tyres – Doornbos
Sep.1 (GMM) Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos has a proposal to spice up what many observers are calling increasingly ‘boring’ races in Formula 1. Red Bull boss Christian Horner think the problem at Spa-Francorchamps was that drivers were able to get through the race with just a single pitstop. “Someone has to tell Pirelli […]
Ferrari needs ‘very, very big step’ for 2021 – Sainz
Sep.1 (GMM) Carlos Sainz, who is moving to the Maranello team next year, says Ferrari needs to take a “very, very, very, very big step” with its engine for 2021. However, the Spaniard backs the fabled Italian team to get it done. “It took Renault three years, and it took Honda some time too,” said […]
Police eject more F1 fans from Spa
Aug.31 (GMM) vBelgian federal police used heat-tracing technology to clamp down on fans watching Sunday’s action at Spa-Francorchamps from nearby wooded areas. The news comes just a day after police turned away from the track a full bus-load of Max Verstappen fans from Holland. The Dutch publication Formule 1 reports that Belgian police even released […]
Haas could sign Ferrari junior for 2021 – Steiner
Aug.31 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has admitted that Haas might sign up a Ferrari junior driver for 2021. In the past weeks, the small American team sidelined the driver issue while owner Gene Haas decided whether to sign the 2021-2025 Concorde Agreement. With that deal now done, the driver rumours have begun. Reports out of Spa […]
Monza could be even ‘worse’ for Ferrari – Leclerc
Aug.31 (GMM) Monza could be even “worse” for crisis-struck Ferrari, according to Charles Leclerc. Actually, team boss Mattia Binotto has hit back at the ‘crisis’ tag, even though most observers of the Belgian GP were left scrambling to recall a more worrying situation for the Maranello team. “I think it’s wrong to talk about a […]
Sainz reveals Renault engine problem
Aug.31 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has broken ranks to reveal that it was a Renault engine failure that meant he could not start Sunday’s Belgian GP. When it became clear the Spaniard would not be taking to the grid, McLaren – set to switch to Mercedes power for 2021 – announced that it was an “exhaust […]
Marko hits back at ‘criticism of Albon’
Aug.31 (GMM) Red Bull is continuing to support Max Verstappen’s struggling teammate Alex Albon. At Spa, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton said he would enjoy a closer race for the world championship – and pointed a finger at Albon. “People downplay it but Red Bull have got a very, very strong car. Unfortunately, both drivers aren’t there […]
F1 needs more circuits like Spa – Wolff
Aug.31 (GMM) In an otherwise “boring” race, the highlight at Spa-Francorchamps was a frightening crash that reinforced the dangers of the legendary Belgian circuit. George Russell struck the loose wheel of Antonio Giovinazzi’s crashed Alfa Romeo, leaving the Williams driver grateful for his Halo device. “I have to say I’m very grateful that we have […]
Pirelli ‘listens’ to drivers like Hamilton – Isola
Aug.30 (GMM) Mario Isola says he always listens to the F1 drivers’ complaints about tyres. Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said earlier at Spa that because there is no longer a tyre war, the “pressure” for better tyres now needs to come from the drivers. “We listen to the drivers,” Pirelli’s F1 boss Isola insisted. […]
Schumacher says rumours of F1 move ‘a compliment’
Aug.30 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is not getting carried away with reports that he is poised to kick off his Formula 1 race career in 2021. Some days ago, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto hailed the progress of Michael Schumacher’s son in Formula 2, suggesting he may be poised to enter F1 next year with a smaller […]
Renault engine ‘really fast’ at Spa – Wolff
Aug.30 (GMM) Renault’s 2020 engine is continuing to turn heads. While Dr Helmut Marko claims Red Bull’s Honda power is better in the races, he admitted that the Renault unit has “a good qualifying mode”. That was clear at Spa Francorchamps, where Daniel Ricciardo split the two Red Bulls in qualifying, followed closely by the […]