Sep.27 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is still charging for a record eighth drivers’ world championship. Some believe his narrow title loss to Max Verstappen last year, and his subsequent struggle with Mercedes’ 2022 car, should be a prelude to retirement for the 37-year-old. “Lewis is in the twilight of his career,” F1 managing director […]
Todt plays down rumours of Ferrari return
Sep.26 (GMM) Former FIA president Jean Todt has played down rumours that he might be poised to return to Ferrari. Prior to heading Formula 1’s governing body, the now 76-year-old Frenchman was the ultra-successful team principal at Ferrari throughout the Michael Schumacher era. Now, some insiders speculate that Todt might make a comeback to replace […]
Schumacher deserves another chance in F1 – Brawn
Sep.26 (GMM) Mick Schumacher deserves another chance to prove himself in Formula 1, according to Ross Brawn. Brawn, currently F1’s managing director, is well placed to comment about Schumacher’s current situation as he worked closely at both Ferrari and Mercedes with the German’s father Michael. He admits that the 23-year-old is “different from his father”. […]
South Africa now eyes 2024 F1 deal
Sep.26 (GMM) South Africa’s expected return to the Formula 1 calendar for 2023 collapsed for financial reasons. Many insiders had expected that F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s push to add Kyalami to next year’s schedule would be successful, but the event is missing from the official 2023 calendar. “The reason is that the F1-appointed local promoter […]
Alfa Romeo eyes Haas as BMW says no to F1
Sep.26 (GMM) BMW says it will not be following Audi and Porsche into Formula 1. Although Porsche is yet to find an alternative after the Red Bull option was scuppered, the VW-owned German brands were enticed into F1 because of the engine regulation changes for 2026. But BMW’s racing boss Andreas Roos insisted: “We are […]
Alpine undecided over Piastri legal action
Sep.26 (GMM) Alpine is looking into whether to pursue legal action against Oscar Piastri. The Renault-owned team questioned the 21-year-old Australian’s integrity after he shunned the Alpine development program and even the prospect of a 2023 race seat with the team in favour of a contract with McLaren. However, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi makes clear […]
Binotto calls for engine penalty rule re-think
Sep.23 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has called on Formula 1 to consider a change to the sport’s long-life engine rules. After Monza, where the grid order was once again shaken up by a spate of grid penalties for engine component changes, Alpine driver Esteban Ocon called for a re-think. “Obviously no manufacturer is able to provide […]
De Vries unable to do pre-Singapore sim testing
Sep.23 (GMM) Nyck de Vries is travelling to Singapore next week where he could reprise his stand-in role for Alex Albon at Williams. The Dutchman, who is in the running for the vacant race seats at Williams but also Alpine and Alpha Tauri for 2023, tested a year-old Alpine in Hungary this week. He was […]
Axed Red Bull star reveals Marko nightmares
Sep.23 (GMM) A former Red Bull driver in Formula 1 says he still has nightmares about Dr Helmut Marko. Jaime Alguersuari was left disillusioned with motor racing altogether after he was dumped by the energy drink company’s F1 program. The Spaniard, now 32, became a DJ after quitting motorsport at the age of 25. “At […]
Colombia could join F1 calendar in 2024
Sep.23 (GMM) Colombia has become the latest country interested in joining Formula 1’s ever-expanding race calendar. With the publication of the official schedule for 2023, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said he was proud that “new venues” were signing up amid the “retention of traditional events”. One of the next ‘new venues’ in F1 could […]
Father to be trackside for Verstappen’s second title
Sep.22 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s famous father says he will be trackside at the next two grands prix in case the runaway world championship leader wraps up his second title. Mathematically, the Red Bull star can secure his back-to-back drivers’ title triumph in Singapore next weekend – although it is more likely to happen a week […]
Zhou admits 2023 race seat ‘not decided yet’
Sep.22 (GMM) Guanyu Zhou is still not worried that he will be left without a race seat in Formula 1 next year. The Chinese rookie says Alfa Romeo is “very happy” with him – but the Sauber-run team is still yet to confirm that he will be staying alongside Valtteri Bottas next year. “It is […]
‘Fans would love’ Hulkenberg at Haas – boss
Sep.22 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg appears to be at the top of Haas’ shortlist of drivers to pair with Kevin Magnussen next year. The American team’s boss says it’s only “50-50” that Mick Schumacher will be re-signed for 2023. 23-year-old Schumacher also appears to have lost the support of Ferrari’s development academy. “We said that it […]
New F1 talks with Honda ‘logical’ – Horner
Sep.21 (GMM) Talks about re-firing a closer relationship with Honda are a “logical and interesting” step for Red Bull, team boss Christian Horner admits. With the collapse of Red Bull’s talks with Porsche about a 50 percent works buy-in, Dr Helmut Marko said he would instead be flying to Japan shortly for new talks with […]
Mazepin rules out Haas return
Sep.21 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin says he would not return to Formula 1 with the Haas team. The American team’s boss Gunther Steiner admitted at Monza recently that he had received notification of axed Russian Mazepin’s legal action. “I can’t say for sure whether they responded, so I’ll double check the information,” 23-year-old Mazepin, who was […]
Jarama to push for Formula 1 return
Sep.21 (GMM) The former Spanish GP venue at Jarama is the latest venue to put its hand up for a Formula 1 race. Late on Tuesday, F1’s governing body ratified the longest ever calendar in the sport’s history for 2023 – featuring no fewer than 24 grands prix. France’s Paul Ricard is gone, replaced by […]
Andretti wanted Herta to stay in Indycar – Marko
Sep.21 (GMM) Colton Herta is resigned to the fact that he will not be making the switch to Formula 1 – yet. The FIA, and also the majority of the F1 teams, were opposed to granting the Indycar star an exemption from the strict super license rules system so he can sign up with Alpha […]
Mercedes yet to decide 2023 car ‘concept’
Sep.21 (GMM) Mercedes is in the process of deciding the basic “concept” of its 2023 car. It is of particular concern for seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who has struggled arguably more than new teammate George Russell with the win-less current single seater. “Right now my focus is on expressing what I want for […]
Herta won’t fight FIA’s super license decision
Sep.20 (GMM) Colton Herta says he won’t fight the FIA’s decision to keep him out of Formula 1 for 2023. Although Red Bull wanted to facilitate Pierre Gasly’s move to Alpine next year by filling the Alpha Tauri seat with the Indycar star, Herta did not qualify for a mandatory F1 super license. “I understand […]
Piastri saga puts Alpine program under cloud
Sep.20 (GMM) Alpine’s young driver program is under a cloud as a result of the Oscar Piastri affair. Although the young Australian was funded and supported by the Renault-owned outfit since 2020, he controversially slipped out of his agreement and had his new McLaren deal cleared by the FIA’s contract recognition board. “Beyond our little […]