Apr.24 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says the first F1 ‘ghost race’ in 2020 should also feature support events. Red Bull is central to F1’s plans to get racing again, as it owns the Austrian GP venue in Spielberg and the government is beginning to relax the country’s shutdown. “Austria as a country is starting to […]
Category: Recent stories
Leclerc ‘happy’ if Vettel stays at Ferrari
Apr.24 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he would be “definitely happy” if Ferrari keeps Sebastian Vettel on board for 2021. It is rumoured that quadruple world champion Vettel has turned down Ferrari’s initial offer of a one-year contract extension with a big pay cut. Leclerc, though, said in a video interview: “I’m very happy with Seb, […]
Binotto ‘in denial’ over quit threat – Brown
Apr.24 (GMM) Ferrari has moved to downplay boss Mattia Binotto’s warning that the Maranello team could pull out of Formula 1. Binotto had warned that a reduction in the budget cap below $145 million could mean “having to look at other further options for deploying our racing DNA”. A Ferrari spokeswoman denied that the comment […]
Liberty admits ‘zero races’ possible in 2020
Apr.24 (GMM) Liberty Media has reshuffled its finances to free up a $1.4 billion fund to rescue Formula 1 amid the corona crisis. The F1 owner is quoted by Forbes’ F1 business journalist Christian Sylt as outlining how the complex transaction gives it the ability to use the money “for F1 in event of continued […]
Wolff hits reverse over budget cap – Marko
Apr.24 (GMM) Toto Wolff has “suddenly” hit reverse gear on a drastic reduction of the 2021 budget cap. That is the claim of Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko, who said the Mercedes team boss was earlier a supporter of moves to significantly drive down the number amid the corona crisis. “A few weeks ago Wolff […]
Contract ‘review’ must precede audience-free French GP
Apr.23 (GMM) Paul Ricard would only be open to considering a race behind closed doors if F1 conducts a “review” of its contractual arrangement with the circuit. That is the view of Nicolas Deschaux, president of France’s motor racing authority Federation Francaise de Sport Automobile (FFSA). After the nine postponements and cancellations, France’s 28 June […]
Monza now open to spectator-free Italy GP
Apr.23 (GMM) Monza may be willing to consider hosting a grand prix behind closed doors in 2020. That is the news from Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of the Italian automobile club Aci. “The situation is complex, also because we do not have certainties,” he is quoted by Italy’s Sky Sport, referring to F1’s shutdown for […]
Alonso has ‘renewed energy’ for future
Apr.23 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says his Formula 1 sabbatical has given him “renewed energy” for the future. In the past hours, the Spaniard has been linked with a potential return to Ferrari, after the Maranello team offered Sebastian Vettel only a one-year deal and a huge pay-cut for 2021. “In terms of ten years from […]
Lundgaard on pole for Renault race seat
Apr.23 (GMM) Renault may turn to a teenager if Daniel Ricciardo leaves the team for 2021. Ricciardo, whose contract runs out this year, has been linked with a move to Ferrari and he also says one should “never say never” to a return to Red Bull. If the Australian does go, 18-year-old Christian Lundgaard appears […]
‘Possible’ Vettel will accept one-year deal – Schumacher
Apr.23 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher thinks it is “possible” Sebastian Vettel will ultimately accept Ferrari’s rumoured offer of a one-year contract for 2021. Earlier, it was claimed that the quadruple world champion had turned down the offer, which reportedly involved a substantially slashed retainer. But former F1 driver Schumacher says Vettel may ultimately accept the deal. […]
Verstappen’s ‘reckless’ reputation unfair – Kubica
Apr.23 (GMM) Robert Kubica says Max Verstappen does not deserve his reputation for “recklessness”. The Pole was asked about the Red Bull driver’s reputation for racing aggression, but he said Verstappen is in fact “very strong in every area”. “I disagree with the criticism he receives for his so-called recklessness,” the Alfa Romeo reserve driver, […]
Big teams also threatened by pandemic – Popov
Apr.23 (GMM) Even the big teams might disappear from Formula 1 amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Russian commentator Alexey Popov. To date, the focus of the worries has centred around the survival of the smallest teams like Williams. “Unfortunately, I think they are not alone,” Popov told Match TV. “Even Mercedes and Red Bull […]
F1 must be ‘careful’ with comeback plans – Isola
Apr.23 (GMM) F1 must be careful about when it returns to the track in 2020, according to Pirelli boss Mario Isola. The Italian has been in the headlines recently as he conducts his duties as a volunteer ambulance driver during the coronavirus crisis that has hit his country hard. “There are plans to return in […]
Small teams need engine price discount – Steiner
Apr.23 (GMM) The price of buying engines from F1’s manufacturers might need to come down during the global pandemic. That is the view of Gunther Steiner, boss of the small American team Haas that has a close technical association with Ferrari. The 2020 season was supposed to feature an unprecedented 22 races, but coronavirus has […]
Ferrari threatens to quit over budget cap dispute
Apr.23 (GMM) Ferrari has warned that it could quit Formula 1 over the current dispute about the 2021 budget cap. The Maranello team is the loudest and clearest objector to efforts to drive the headline figure from $175 million next year down to as low as $100m amid the global pandemic. “The $145m level is […]
Williams warns Latifi about gaming behaviour
Apr.23 (GMM) Nicholas Latifi has been told by Williams to behave during live broadcasts of his virtual racing exploits. Nascar driver Kyle Larson was suspended by the American series and then fired by his team Chip Ganassi after using a racial slur during a recent online race. “After the Kyle Larson incident, the team sent […]
Lammers backtracks on spectator-less Dutch GP
Apr.23 (GMM) Jan Lammers has backtracked after declaring that there will almost certainly be no Dutch GP in 2020. Earlier, the Zandvoort race’s sports director said that after the Dutch government banned events until September, a race even without spectators can effectively be ruled out. But speaking to Dutch radio Veronica, he subsequently backpedalled. “At […]
Zandvoort says 2020 F1 calendar ‘almost impossible’
Apr.22 (GMM) Zandvoort’s hopes of hosting a Formula 1 race in 2020 have been dealt a near fatal blow, the Dutch circuit’s bosses admit. On Tuesday, the Dutch prime minister announced that a ban on major sporting events has been extended until September. Afterwards, race boss Jan Lammers said: “We will have to see what […]
Schumacher ‘failed’ in Mercedes comeback – Weber
Apr.22 (GMM) Michael Schumacher could not adjust to the newer generation of cars when he returned to Formula 1 after a three-year retirement a decade ago. That is the view not only of John Barnard, a famous car designer who once worked with the F1 legend at Ferrari, but also Schumacher’s long-time former manager Willi […]
Steiner ‘confident’ Haas still committed to F1
Apr.22 (GMM) Gunther Steiner is “confident” that Haas team owner Gene Haas will remain committed to Formula 1 throughout the coronavirus crisis and beyond. Before the pandemic struck, bringing the sport to a sudden halt and endangering the mere survival of smaller teams, Haas was openly questioning the value of racing around in the lower […]