Mar.4 (GMM) Honda is not yet ready to commit to Red Bull or Formula 1 beyond 2021. The Japanese marque’s F1 boss Masashi Yamamoto told the Japanese media source As-Web: “We are still negotiating with (Helmut) Marko.” But he also admitted that the talks are deeper than simply with Red Bull. Asked if Honda wants […]
Category: Recent stories
Concorde talks ‘on right track’ – Carey
Mar.4 (GMM) Chase Carey says his negotiations with the teams over the next Concorde Agreement are “on the right track”. The current commercial agreements expire at the end of this year, and Liberty Media has made no secret the new deal should memorialise significant changes in the way income is distributed and rules are made. […]
Magnussen admits Haas could quit F1
Mar.4 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he can imagine Haas team owner Gene Haas pulling out of Formula 1. Having entered the sport in 2016 to promote his company Haas Automation, Gene Haas made headlines recently by suggesting the team may not be on the 2021 grid. Magnussen, who drives for the small American team, told […]
Leclerc ‘always overdrives’ – Albers
Mar.4 (GMM) Former F1 driver Christijan Albers is not so sure Ferrari’s driver lineup is ideal. Team boss Mattia Binotto thinks Sebastian Vettel alongside Charles Leclerc is the “best combination” on the grid. But Dutchman Albers, who drove for Minardi, Midland and Spyker, told MBS News that he doesn’t necessarily agree. “Vettel does have the […]
Vettel admits he could leave Ferrari
Mar.4 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted the possibility that he could leave Ferrari. While rumours his contract will not be renewed have circulated, boss Mattia Binotti’s latest message has been about the likelihood of a new deal for 2021. “We have started to discuss it with Seb,” he is quoted by La Repubblica. “They are […]
F1 coronavirus crisis ‘incredibly serious’
Mar.4 (GMM) Uncertainty remains the dominant mood as Formula 1 teams prepare for the opening races of 2020. Amid the coronavirus crisis, which has already claimed the Chinese GP, the Melbourne season opener appears safe for now but strong doubts about Bahrain and Vietnam persist. F1’s Italian-based contingent is most affected, as staff for Ferrari, […]
Ferrari may decide to write off 2020 season
Mar.3 (GMM) Ferrari has admitted that it may write off the 2020 season quite early this year. Analyses of the recent winter testing in Barcelona claim that the Italian team’s new car is the only one that is actually slower compared to 2019. Sebastian Vettel hinted that the situation could mean a change of strategy. […]
Leclerc will ‘respect’ Ferrari’s call on Vettel
Mar.3 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he would be happy if Ferrari signs up Sebastian Vettel for 2021. Amid rumours the Maranello team may replace the quadruple world champion with Carlos Sainz or Daniel Ricciardo, it actually appears as though boss Mattia Binotto intends to keep Vettel beyond his expiring contract. Leclerc, who has already been […]
Media claims ‘whistleblower’ behind Ferrari scandal
Mar.3 (GMM) The Italian media suspects a whistleblower is behind the bizarre saga surrounding the legality of Ferrari’s 2019 engine. Rival teams are reportedly furious that the FIA reached a secret “settlement” following a lengthy investigation into how the power unit works. At best, the story is confusing. “To understand, look outside the FIA,” an […]
DAS not worth ‘two seconds’ – Wolff
Mar.3 (GMM) Toto Wolff has denied that Mercedes’ drivers will get a huge advantage from the new ‘DAS’ innovation. Observers of on-board footage of the silver cars in the Barcelona test noticed Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas often pulling and pushing on the steering wheel, which adjusts the ‘toe’ of the front wheels. It is […]
Mercedes three tenths ahead of Red Bull – analysis
Mar.3 (GMM) Mercedes has a three-tenth advantage over Red Bull-Honda heading into Australia, according to an analysis done by a number of F1 engineers. Germany’s specialist Auto Motor und Sport claims Ferrari comes in next in third place, about 5 to 6 tenths off the pace. Referring to Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel said: “They do fast […]
Ferrari says it is heading to Australia
Mar.3 (GMM) The signs are looking brighter that even amid the global coronavirus crisis, Formula 1 will race ahead in 2020. Earlier, with China already postponed, it looked possible that the other three opening races of the season – Australia, Bahrain and Vietnam – would also not happen. But Formula One Management has reportedly arranged […]
Money ‘not decisive’ in Hamilton talks – Wolff
Mar.2 (GMM) Toto Wolff has hinted that Mercedes will not be able to pay Lewis Hamilton more in 2021. The six-time world champion’s lucrative current contract runs out this year, and both have rubbished rumours that Hamilton is pushing for as much as $70 million per year for the new one. “Obviously every driver tries […]
Team boss says secret Ferrari settlement ‘a scandal’
Mar.2 (GMM) A statement issued by F1’s governing body late last week poses “more questions than answers”. That is the view of La Gazzetta dello Sport, after the FIA shocked the Formula 1 world last Friday by saying it had reached a secret “settlement” with Ferrari. It follows an investigation into the legality of Ferrari’s […]
Red Bull can beat Mercedes in Australia – Marko
Mar.2 (GMM) Red Bull-Honda is now “a step closer” to winning the 2020 world championship. After winter testing, Mercedes appears to still be in a clear lead, but Red Bull has apparently leapfrogged the struggling Ferrari. “The car does what we expected and what we hoped for,” said Marko, Red Bull’s top Austrian official. “We […]
Vettel doubts he will race in F1 until 40
Mar.2 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel does not think he will still be racing in Formula 1 when he turns 40. The oldest driver on the grid is 40-year-old Kimi Raikkonen. Vettel is just 32, but a slide in form in recent years has triggered speculation he may soon retire. The German looks set to sign a […]
Williams claims sexism behind team criticism
Mar.2 (GMM) Claire Williams claims criticism of the way she runs the once-great British team is due to sexism. Williams, founded by Claire’s father Sir Frank Williams, finished dead last in 2019 and George Russell has admitted the 2020 car will also be the slowest this year. “We are undoubtedly in a better position,” said […]
‘Impossible’ to copy Mercedes car – Sainz
Mar.2 (GMM) Racing Point’s technical boss suggests teams like McLaren are just jealous of what has been dubbed the ‘pink Mercedes’. It is rumoured that McLaren or Renault are not ruling out lodging an official protest about Racing Point’s 2020 car in Melbourne. “I don’t know what sort of claim they can bring against us,” […]
Barcelona works to keep Spanish GP
Mar.2 (GMM) Barcelona is hoping to keep its place on the F1 calendar. The Spanish GP was only an eleventh-hour addition to this year’s schedule, but talks between Circuit de Catalunya boss Joan Fontsere and F1 CEO Chase Carey took place at the venue last Friday. “There are those who say that F1 will not […]
F1 unsure if Melbourne season opener is on
Mar.2 (GMM) A very dark cloud is now hanging over Formula 1’s 2020 season. With pre-season testing now complete, only China has been cancelled so far amid the worsening coronavirus crisis. But everyone in the paddock is unsure about what is going to happen next. “I assume that we will be in Melbourne,” said Ferrari’s […]