Nov.3 (GMM) Robert Kubica says he succeeded in his mission to once again be seen as a Formula 1 driver in his own right. The Pole returned to the grid in 2019 after an eight year absence with permanent right arm injuries. But the hype of that return soon faded when it was clear that […]
Category: Recent stories
Top teams will keep advantage in 2021 – Binotto
Nov.3 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has warned that the 2021 regulations will turn out to be an “advantage” for the biggest teams. When the new rules were finally revealed on Thursday, Formula 1 declared that they will lead to “a more balanced competition”, where success is about “how well a team spends its money, not how […]
FIA ruling may have stopped Ferrari engine advantage
Nov.3 (GMM) World champion Lewis Hamilton suspects the FIA might be getting to the bottom of Ferrari’s engine power advantage. Ever since the Maranello team took a giant leap forward with its 2019 power unit, rumours have swept the paddock that its technical secret may be illegal. “They should protest!” Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto said this […]
Top drivers big winners of F1 budget cap – Marko
Nov.2 (GMM) The drivers could be the big financial winners of the newly-released rules for 2021. After a long and controversial period of uncertainty, Liberty Media finally unveiled the rules in Austin. But the sage doesn’t end there. On November 5, negotiations over the next Concorde Agreement begin. And although Ferrari did not use its […]
F1 drivers not happy with 2020 tyres
Nov.2 (GMM) Formula 1 drivers are not impressed with Pirelli’s 2020 tyres. The drivers got their first taste of next year’s tyres during Friday practice in Austin, but their biggest complaint was actually about the circuit. “They’re not bumps, they’re ski jumps,” said Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton said he had to lie down after […]
F1 calendar ‘already too long’ – Hamilton
Nov.2 (GMM) 25 races per season is too many for Formula 1. That was the near-unanimous opinion of those in the Austin paddock, after Liberty Media successfully negotiated the new allowed maximum for the 2021 rules. Chase Carey, however, immediately allayed fears about 25-race calendars by saying he simply wants “more leeway” in the regulations. […]
Kubica rejects Alfa Romeo rumour
Nov.2 (GMM) Robert Kubica has dismissed rumours he is in talks with Alfa Romeo about 2020. The departing Williams driver, backed by the Polish oil company PKN Orlen, has also been linked with test, reserve, simulator and development roles at Racing Point and Haas. “I did not talk to Alfa Romeo,” Kubica said in Austin. […]
Lehto puzzled by Raikkonen’s form slump
Nov.2 (GMM) Former F1 driver JJ Lehto is puzzled by Kimi Raikkonen’s sudden slump in form. The 2007 world champion and former Ferrari driver started 2010 in strong form, but is now being regularly challenged by teammate Antonio Giovinazzi. But Alfa Romeo has also slumped to eighth in the constructors’ championship. “I wonder what the […]
Hulkenberg ‘not right’ for Williams switch
Nov.2 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says he is not switching to Williams. The 32-year-old admits that after losing his Renault seat for 2020, he could bow out of Formula 1 forever. He says talks with Alfa Romeo have taken place, but played down any link to the F1 backmarker Williams, where he started his F1 career […]
Latifi to race for Williams in 2020 – report
Nov.2 (GMM) Nicholas Latifi will reportedly replace Robert Kubica at Williams in 2020. The 24-year-old Canadian, whose father is the wealthy McLaren co-owner Michael Latifi, is already driving the Williams on Friday in Mexico, Austin and Brazil. And Le Journal de Montreal says he will definitely race in 2020. “The contract is well and truly […]
Albon poised to keep Red Bull seat
Nov.2 (GMM) Alex Albon looks set to keep his seat at Red Bull, even though Dr Helmut Marko says he is in “no rush whatsoever” to make a final decision. The other two candidates are Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat, the current Toro Rosso drivers who were both previously ousted from Red Bull Racing. “Gasly […]
Rich Energy boss met Zak Brown ‘multiple times’
Nov.2 (GMM) Team supremo Zak Brown has rubbished suggestions that McLaren is about to sign up a controversial former F1 sponsor. Rich Energy, whose farcical title sponsorship of Haas ended mid-season, used the McLaren and Renault hashtags along with ‘NewDeal’ in a provocative tweet this week. “I was stunned when I saw that,” Brown is […]
Renault ousts aerodynamics boss
Nov.2 (GMM) Renault has ousted its aerodynamics boss. The Enstone based team intended to close the gap to Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull in 2019, but instead has actually fallen behind McLaren. Renault is happy with the step it has taken with its engine this year, but Cyril Abiteboul admitted in Austin that the aerodynamics […]
Albon welcomes Hamilton’s support for 2020 seat
Nov.1 (GMM) As he pushes to keep his seat at Red Bull for 2020, Alex Albon has welcomed the support of world champion Lewis Hamilton. In Mexico, Hamilton predicted a “bright future” for the British-born Thai rookie, who replaced Pierre Gasly at Red Bull after the summer break. Red Bull bosses Christian Horner and Dr […]
Ricciardo, Bottas defend under-fire Verstappen
Nov.1 (GMM) Two of Max Verstappen’s rivals have defended the Dutchman amid a wave of criticism. Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel led the criticism of Verstappen after Mexico, where he ignored yellow flags in qualifying and then got involved in collisions in the race. However, fans voted the 22-year-old driver of the day in Mexico, […]
Verstappen hits back at ‘disrespectful’ Hamilton
Nov.1 (GMM) Max Verstappen has accused Lewis Hamilton of being “disrespectful”. After the Dutchman’s troubled weekend in Mexico, Hamilton hit out at Verstappen’s aggressive racing style, likening him to a “torpedo”. Sebastian Vettel agreed with Hamilton, saying he would “copy-paste” the comments. “It was a bit of a silly comment to make,” Verstappen said in […]
Hamilton wants to stay with Mercedes for 2021
Nov.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has indicated that he is likely to remain in Formula 1 with Mercedes after 2020. With the rules changing drastically for 2021, and the soon-to-be six time world champion’s contract expiring next year, boss Toto Wolff said recently he wants to open negotiations with Hamilton after Abu Dhabi. The 34-year-old said […]
Hulkenberg admits Alfa Romeo last option for 2020
Nov.1 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has revealed that he is “waiting” on an answer from Alfa Romeo. Having lost his Renault seat for 2020, the German said this week that if he cannot find a seat elsewhere he is unlikely to ever return to Formula 1. He has ruled out Williams and been overlooked by Haas […]
Ferrari still not ruling out 2021 rules veto
Nov.1 (GMM) Ferrari’s potential veto against the newly-announced 2021 regulations could still be triggered. Some believed the threat of the controversial veto had receded, with FIA president Jean Todt revealing that the World Motor Sport Council voted “unanimously” for the rules. Ferrari is the only team represented on the FIA’s top decision-making body. But when […]
F1 boosts maximum calendar size to 25 races
Nov.1 (GMM) Chase Carey is happy to have created space for more races on the F1 calendars of the future. With the eleventh-hour deal for Barcelona, Liberty Media increased the 2020 schedule to an unprecedented 22 races. But under the current Concorde Agreement, the maximum number of races is actually just 20. Any more requires […]