Jan.31 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi insists he has not given up on Formula 1. The Italian was gutted late last season when Alfa Romeo announced that Chinese rookie Guanyu Zhou will be replacing him for 2022. But Giovinazzi, 28, is keeping his F1 hopes alive with the joint Ferrari reserve driver role. “When I heard I […]
Vandoorne admits F1 career ‘probably’ over
Jan.31 (GMM) Former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne admits he is unlikely to ever return to Formula 1. The Belgian, 29, was Fernando Alonso’s teammate until he lost the seat at the end of 2018. After that, he became a Mercedes test driver and he also now races for the works Mercedes team in Formula E. […]
No ‘truth’ to Hamilton quit threats – Marko
Jan.31 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s post-defeat “silence” was all “part of the drama” of the incredible and intense 2021 world championship climax, finale and aftermath. Those are the words of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner – and he is backed up by his Austrian colleague Dr Helmut Marko. They both commented on speculation Hamilton’s post-defeat […]
Masi could get F1 ‘race co-directors’ in 2022 – report
Jan.28 (GMM) Formula 1 is drawing up a plan to give under-fire race director Michael Masi more support in 2022. Even those not calling for the Australian to be ousted agree that some questionable decisions in 2021, including in the Abu Dhabi title-decider, means F1 needs to respond in some way. “Now the FIA wants […]
Honda had ‘rethink’ after F1 exit – Marko
Jan.28 (GMM) Honda will be more deeply involved in Red Bull’s Formula 1 program this year and beyond than was previously thought. Officially, the Japanese carmaker has already departed as Red Bull’s works F1 partner. The energy drink company intended to use Honda’s engine IP this year and beyond whilst building up its own Red […]
Hamilton was ‘robbed’ of 2021 title – Ogier
Jan.28 (GMM) Eight time world rally champion Sebastien Ogier says Lewis Hamilton was “robbed” of the 2021 Formula 1 crown. Currently, the motor racing world is in the dark amid speculation Mercedes’ Hamilton, 37, could suddenly quit the sport in protest of how the 2021 championship ended in high controversy. “I think he will come […]
Young driver can replace Hamilton – Capito
Jan.28 (GMM) A Formula 1 team boss says it would be no tragedy if Lewis Hamilton decides to suddenly retire ahead of the 2022 season. While most experts do expect the Mercedes driver to eventually break his silence and race on, rumours continue to suggest he is so upset about his 2021 defeat to Max […]
Barcelona loses ‘official pre-season test’ status
Jan.27 (GMM) Formula 1’s opening test of the all-new technical era beginning in 2022 will be a “lower key” affair in Barcelona. “The Barcelona test has lost its official status,” reported the Spanish sports daily AS. That headline came after F1 announced that the first of two pre-season tests for the brand new 2022 cars […]
Genoa court ends Briatore super-yacht tax probe
Jan.27 (GMM) A tax evasion probe involving former F1 personality Flavio Briatore has finally ended. The case goes all the way back to 2010, when Italian police seized the former Renault boss’ 63-metre super-yacht called Force Blue. It centred mainly around the ownership of the yacht – a company in the British Islands that allegedly […]
Hamilton title loss also cost Bottas money
Jan.27 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas admits Lewis Hamilton’s world championship defeat last year also cost him a lot of money. “You are right,” the Finn smiled when asked about lost team bonuses that are otherwise payable by the Mercedes team for all title victories. “It was quite a final lap,” Bottas added, referring to the way […]
Horner hopes Hamilton returns to F1
Jan.27 (GMM) Red Bull’s team boss hopes Lewis Hamilton will return to Formula 1 this year in a bid to reclaim the title from Max Verstappen. As it stands, rumours are still swirling that the seven time world champion could in fact extend his current radio silence and make it full retirement from the sport […]
Ricciardo could end F1 career with McLaren
Jan.27 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo is enjoying the arm around his shoulder at McLaren, after emerging from the “tough love” of life under Dr Helmut Marko’s rule. The Australian driver insists, however, that he has no resentment about the way Marko’s notorious Red Bull driver program went about business on his road to Formula 1. “Helmut […]
Valentino Rossi had DTM talks for 2022 – Berger
Jan.26 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger says Valentino Rossi came close to switching to the German touring car series DTM for 2022. After a long and glistening career, MotoGP legend and multiple champion Rossi, 42, finally retired from two wheels after finishing 18th overall and failing to win a race in 2021. The Italian wants […]
Italian Air Force gets F1 green-light for 2022
Jan.26 (GMM) Fans of the Frecce Tricolori can breathe a sigh of relief after Formula 1 banned military aircraft flyovers at grands prix in 2022. Not long after the military ban was announced, Silverstone boss Stuart Pringle clarified that F1 will continue to allow the popular Red Arrows aerobatic team to perform ahead of the […]
Alonso back to ‘normal’ after surgery
Jan.26 (GMM) It is full speed ahead for Fernando Alonso as he recovers well from his recent facial surgery. Throughout 2021, the 40-year-old carried the titanium remnants of his surgery with him following a pre-season cycling crash ahead of his return to Formula 1. After the season ended, he returned to hospital to have those […]
Contender plays down Hamilton quit rumours
Jan.26 (GMM) A clause in Lewis Hamilton’s contract could mean in theory that rumours he is contemplating retirement are on the money. However, most insiders suspect the seven time world champion is staying silent for now simply to fully process his devastating title loss to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Britain’s Telegraph newspaper, however, reports that […]
Ferrari changes plans to avoid rule breach
Jan.26 (GMM) Ferrari had to quickly change direction this week for fear of kicking off the 2022 campaign with a rule breach. The Italian team had announced that it was getting an early start to the test season with a private session at its own Fiorano circuit – with the 2021 car. Reportedly, Ferrari understood […]
F1’s ‘wounds will heal’ after 2021 title finale
Jan.25 (GMM) Zak Brown thinks Formula 1’s “wounds will heal” early this season as the sport moves on from the title-ending controversy in Abu Dhabi. According to well-placed sources, the early leaks from the FIA’s current investigation into the matter reveal that race director Michael Masi has lost the support of many drivers and teams. […]
Bottas ‘knew’ 2022 Mercedes deal was unlikely
Jan.25 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he headed into the 2021 season a year ago knowing that his chance of staying at Mercedes beyond one more single-season contract was unlikely. Indeed, Mercedes has promoted its newer long-time young prodigy George Russell to Bottas’ seat for 2022, ending a five-year run of one-year contracts for the 32-year-old […]
‘Luck’ helped Hamilton win seven titles – Verstappen
Jan.25 (GMM) Max Verstappen is “very deserving” of his status as reigning world champion – while his 2021 foe Lewis Hamilton benefitted from “luck” to match Michael Schumacher’s record tally of seven titles. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner responded to suggestions that the way last year’s intense championship fight ended in Abu Dhabi had […]