Jan.18 (GMM) Formula 1 will not be on free-to-air television in Germany this year. RTL lost its rights to pay broadcaster Sky two years ago, although the latter agreed a deal to allow RTL to broadcast four live grands prix until last season. It is believed Sky was open to continuing that deal in 2023. […]
F1 rules out China revival for 2023
Jan.18 (GMM) Formula 1 has dashed any hopes Chinese officials had of reviving the axed Shanghai race this year. Amid the country’s ongoing and harsh covid restrictions, the sport cancelled the scheduled April round following its similar absence in 2020, 2021 and last year. But this week, speculation re-emerged that race organisers had got back […]
Williams not becoming ‘mini Mercedes’ – boss
Jan.17 (GMM) Williams’ new team boss insists he will not make the famous British team a “mini Mercedes”. After the ousting of Jost Capito, Williams kicked off the new year by appointing Mercedes’ well-known strategy boss James Vowles as its new team principal. Williams is already powered by customer Mercedes engines, and has close historical […]
Andretti says F1 must not ‘reject’ Cadillac
Jan.17 (GMM) General Motors and Cadillac really are serious about succeeding in Formula 1. That is the insistence of Mario Andretti, Formula 1’s 1978 world champion whose son Michael is bidding to enter a team in the sport in 2025 or 2026. Initially, it would be with a customer Renault or Honda engine – but […]
Newey the key to Ferrari’s 2023 hopes – Alesi
Jan.17 (GMM) Adrian Newey is the key to Formula 1’s next championship battle in 2023, according to former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi. When asked about his former team’s chances against Red Bull this year, the 58-year-old Frenchman also thinks Ferrari will face a second challenger. “I don’t think Mercedes make a mistake twice when designing […]
Wolff looks ahead to Hamilton’s F1 return
Jan.17 (GMM) Toto Wolff is looking forward to forthcoming meetings with Mercedes’ seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Various matters will be on the table as the 37-year-old driver returns from his winter break – having holidayed with a group of high-profile friends in Antarctica. “As for contract discussions, we have a full year to […]
Williams rejects Porsche rumours
Jan.17 (GMM) Porsche and Williams disappointed fans early this week amid expectations of a Formula 1 collaboration. With Porsche’s earlier plans to enter the sport with Red Bull also coming to nothing, some fans on social media on Monday spotted the signs of a potential Porsche-Williams project. Ultimately, the Porsche news was the re-branding of […]
F1 teams split with crypto sponsors
Jan.16 (GMM) The crypto hype in Formula 1 is definitely over. Late last year, Mercedes took FTX branding off its Formula 1 car as the cryptocurrency exchange collapsed – later leading to the arrest of its boss Sam Bankman-Fried. It now emerges that, over the winter break, Ferrari has also split with its own major […]
F1 teams ‘afraid’ of Andretti-Cadillac bid
Jan.16 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says existing Formula 1 teams are “afraid” of losing money by agreeing to green-light an eleventh entry. FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem says it’s “surprising” that, notwithstanding Cadillac and General Motors joining Andretti’s F1 team bid, there are still so many “negative reactions” in the paddock. However, one such critic – […]
Berger turned down offers for F1 return
Jan.16 (GMM) Gerhard Berger says he turned down offers to return to Formula 1. Recently, the former F1 driver, BMW boss and Toro Rosso co-owner stepped down in charge of the German touring car series DTM. It triggered rumours he might be shaping up to replace Mattia Binotto at Ferrari or join in on the […]
Alpine only option for Gasly’s F1 progress
Jan.16 (GMM) Pierre Gasly admits moving from Alpha Tauri to Renault-owned Alpine in 2023 was his best opportunity to move up the Formula 1 grid. Red Bull had already taken up its 2023 option on the Frenchman when talks with Alpine kicked off last August. “I was on holiday in Greece because I needed a […]
Verstappen keeps troubled F1 sponsor
Jan.16 (GMM) Back-to-back world champion Max Verstappen will retain the backing of a long-time personal sponsor in 2023. In September, Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo’s CEO and owner Fritz van Eerd found himself at the centre of a money laundering scandal. At the time, Verstappen’s management distanced the 25-year-old driver from the story. But Auto Bild […]
Axed Chinese GP could return
Jan.16 (GMM) Formula 1’s forthcoming 2023 calendar could once again swell to 24 grands prix. Before Christmas, the sport scrapped the scheduled Chinese GP for the fourth consecutive time due to strict covid-19 restrictions. However, widespread subsequent public protests have led to the significant easing of those restrictions, resulting in a surge in infections. But […]
Montoya’s son on road to F1
Jan.16 (GMM) A fresh-faced Montoya is well on the road to Formula 1. 17-year-old Sebastian Montoya, the son of former Williams and McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya, has just been signed by Red Bull’s famous driver development program. “This past year, I became part of the brand’s athletes and now we will work together for […]
Vettel as Red Bull team boss ‘possible’
Jan.16 (GMM) It is “not impossible” that Sebastian Vettel will soon return to Formula 1 as a team boss. The quadruple world champion, 35, stepped down as a driver at the end of 2022 and says he is looking forward to a quieter year. However, the man who brought Vettel into F1 – Red Bull’s […]
Sainz not saying ‘a word’ about 2023 Ferrari
Jan.16 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has made a cautious start to the forthcoming 2023 season. On a visit to watch his famous father and namesake contest the fabled Dakar rally, the Ferrari driver was asked if he has been in touch with new team boss Frederic Vasseur. “Of course I have spoken with Fred,” the Spaniard […]
Leclerc-Vasseur link ‘good for Ferrari’ – Sainz
Dec.22 (GMM) Ferrari is in a “better place” because of Mattia Binotto’s leadership, according to Carlos Sainz. However, the Maranello based team decided to react to the reliability, strategic and other mistakes by ousting its boss ahead of the 2023 season. “Ultimately it’s his decision and I can only wish him the very best,” Spaniard […]
Red Bull not ‘putting pressure’ on Perez – Marko
Dec.22 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has denied that Red Bull is “trying to put pressure” on Sergio Perez. Towards the end of the season, it became clear that the relationship – or the appearance of a relationship – between Max Verstappen and Perez was breaking down. Fairly promptly after that, it emerged that McLaren refugee […]
Political ban ‘won’t affect’ Nico Hulkenberg
Dec.22 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has become the first Formula 1 driver to prominently react to the FIA’s new ban on political gestures. Some reacted to the new measure with criticism, accusing the sport’s governing body of effectively gagging its stars. “It’s a delicate, difficult subject,” German Hulkenberg, who is returning full-time to Formula 1 next […]
Hamilton not expecting ‘close’ Schumacher partnership
Dec.22 (GMM) Seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton isn’t sure how closely he’ll work with new Mercedes recruit Mick Schumacher in 2023. Having lost his Haas seat after two seasons, the 23-year-old German’s Formula 1 career has been rescued by Toto Wolff as Schumacher is appointed reserve driver. “Mick is a great talent,” team race […]