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. […]
Category: Recent stories
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 […]
No place at Haas for Vettel or Bottas – Steiner
May 29 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has counted Haas out of the running to capture the services of Sebastian Vettel or Valtteri Bottas for 2021. Vettel is leaving Ferrari at the end of the year, while Finn Bottas could be set to lose his seat at Mercedes to George Russell. Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone thinks […]
Races in 2020 ‘not good for anyone’ – Ecclestone
May 29 (GMM) The 2020 Dutch GP has been officially cancelled. The rejuvenated Zandvoort circuit was due to host its first grand prix for 35 years in May, but was postponed for the corona crisis. Talks took place about rescheduling it for a later date without spectators, but race boss Jan Lammers says that definitely […]
Ricciardo not sure why Ferrari overlooked him
May 29 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says he isn’t sure why Ferrari overlooked him for the seat set to be vacated by Sebastian Vettel at the end of 2020. Admitting that talks with the Maranello team took place, Australian Ricciardo is instead moving from Renault to McLaren for 2021. “There have been discussions (with Ferrari) already […]
Alonso, not Bottas, favourite for Renault seat – Lehto
May 29 (GMM) A former F1 driver thinks Renault is more likely to sign Fernando Alonso for 2021 and beyond than Valtteri Bottas. The French team is looking for a replacement for Daniel Ricciardo, with boss Cyril Abiteboul admitting losing the Australian to McLaren is “disappointing”. Bottas is clearly an option, former F1 driver JJ […]
Daimler hits back at Mercedes exit reports
May 29 (GMM) Mercedes parent Daimler has hit back at reports suggesting the works team could be pulled out of Formula 1. German publication Auto Bild also claims Toto Wolff is set to withdraw as boss, take up a Niki Lauda-style supervisory board position, and potentially even take over the team together with new Aston […]
Verstappen hailed for not becoming ‘arrogant’
May 28 (GMM) Dutch racing driver Arie Luyendyk has praised countryman Max Verstappen for remaining grounded amid skyrocketing fame, fortune and success. Verstappen’s new Red Bull deal makes him one of the highest paid drivers in Formula 1 history, with boss Dr Helmut Marko smiling that the 22-year-old “will not be happy” once the sport […]