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 […]
Berger linked with Lauda-style F1 Audi role
Dec.21 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger is being lined up as a Niki Lauda-style figurehead for Audi’s works Formula 1 foray from 2026. With Frederic Vasseur heading to Ferrari, Audi’s 2026 partner Sauber – currently Alfa Romeo – has already installed the formerly VW-linked McLaren boss Andreas Seidl as its new CEO. A team boss […]
Marko says Honda ‘can’t buy Alpha Tauri’
Dec.21 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has played down the chances that Red Bull’s F1 alliance with Honda will extend beyond the 2025 season. This year, following Honda’s official withdrawal from the sport at the end of the 2021 title, Red Bull kept the Honda-made engines and set up its own powertrain department – Red Bull […]
Ferrari ‘weaker’ after Binotto axe – Marko
Dec.21 (GMM) Ferrari is “weaker” after axing its team boss Mattia Binotto. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, a top Red Bull executive who no longer thinks the Maranello-based team will be able to charge for the title in 2023. When asked if the real winners of the Ferrari shakeup are Red Bull […]
Barcelona plays down Madrid F1 rumours
Dec.21 (GMM) The Circuit de Catalunya is playing down reports this week that Madrid could snatch the Spanish GP away from Barcelona. The current Spanish GP host is currently planning to upgrade the well-known circuit and has even approved a major layout tweak for 2023 – the return of the once-beloved final two super-fast right-handers. […]
F1 bans drivers from making political gestures
Dec.21 (GMM) Formula 1 is clamping down on political gestures and statements by drivers at grands prix. The FIA has revealed a ban on “political statements” from the start of the 2023 season, following the emergence of social activism by drivers including champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. No longer allowed is “the general making […]
Alpine’s F1 engine only ‘a tenth’ behind rivals
Dec.20 (GMM) Renault-owned Alpine has played down reports that becoming a Formula 1 frontrunner before 2026 will be impossible due to the current power unit. Some believe the current development ‘freeze’ until the new engine rules come into force in 2026, allied with Fernando Alonso’s complaints this year about reliability, mean that fourth in the […]
F1 sustainability heading in ‘illogical’ direction – Newey
Dec.20 (GMM) Adrian Newey has questioned the narrative surrounding the future of Formula 1 and motoring in general. Arguably the most famous designer in the sport’s history admits that the environment and sustainability are “big issues” that should be paid attention to. “Formula 1 can and must play a role in that,” Newey, the chief […]
Red Bull to pay Verstappen’s F1 license bill
Dec.20 (GMM) World champion Max Verstappen has copped the highest-ever bill for a Formula 1 super license in the sport’s history. The credential, of course, is mandatory – and the cost for the driver is calculated on the basis of a base amount plus extra for every single point. In the end, it left Dutchman […]
Leclerc showed Sainz ‘new limits’ in 2022
Dec.20 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says Charles Leclerc’s pace in 2022 forced him to find new “limits” as a driver. The Spaniard had a good first season in red alongside Leclerc in 2021, but the 2022 car was much more competitive – and his teammate was clearly ahead early in the season. “This was the first […]
Vasseur can lead Ferrari to 2023 title – Grosjean
Dec.20 (GMM) Former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean has backed fellow Frenchman Frederic Vasseur to handle his new role as Ferrari team boss. With Mattia Binotto ousted at the end of the season, his successor is Vasseur – the highly experienced motor racing manager whose last assignment was running the Alfa Romeo-branded Sauber team. “Ferrari […]
Porsche CEO says ‘we’ll see’ to new F1 talks
Dec.19 (GMM) Porsche CEO Oliver Blume has said “we’ll see” to speculation the famous Volkswagen-owned German sports car maker may still enter Formula 1. The FIA declared recently that following the breakdown of takeover talks with Red Bull Racing, Porsche is now looking into opportunities elsewhere in pitlane for the new 2026 engine rules. “The […]
Susie Wolff could be new Williams boss – reports
Dec.19 (GMM) Toto Wolff could see a familiar face in Formula 1 team principals’ meetings next year. Multiple authoritative sources – including Blick newspaper, Speed Week, f1-insider.com and others – are reporting that Susie Wolff is a leading candidate to become Williams’ next team boss. Susie Wolff, nee Stoddart, was a Williams test driver in […]
Perez should ‘accept’ no.2 status, Verstappen hints
Dec.19 (GMM) Without mentioning Sergio Perez’s name, world champion Max Verstappen has re-fired the potential for more tension with his teammate Sergio Perez. Mexican Perez insisted last week that he is “not too worried” about the new appointment of Verstappen’s successful former teammate Daniel Ricciardo as third driver for 2023. “We drivers are under a […]