Feb.25 (GMM) Mercedes and Red Bull do not appear to be the early pacesetters as the Formula 1 teams begin testing their all-new cars for the radically different 2022 era. “Some teams look really fast,” said Mercedes’ George Russell. “Especially a red team and an orange team.” Lewis Hamilton’s new teammate did not name Ferrari […]
F1 drivers call for Russian GP boycott
Feb.25 (GMM) While still grappling with covid-related restrictions, Formula 1 is now facing down yet another crisis – the Russia-Ukraine conflict. World champions Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso have led the way in calling for Sochi to be dumped from the calendar as a response to the Russian invasion. Even Haas’ Mick Schumacher […]
Andretti needs ‘a billion’ for F1 entry – Wolff
Feb.24 (GMM) A $200 million fee will not be enough to convince existing Formula 1 teams to open the door to an eleventh competitor like Andretti. That is the word of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who earlier said that he thinks the current ten teams are “enough” for a full and healthy F1 grid. It […]
‘Age’ a factor in next Hamilton-Verstappen battle
Feb.24 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is yet to bump into his championship nemesis Max Verstappen in 2022. The last time the pair met eyes was in the immediate aftermath of the highly contentious 2021 title finale in Abu Dhabi, when Hamilton congratulated the new world champion. After that, Hamilton entered a period of radio […]
Mazepin plays down F1 impact of Russia-Ukraine crisis
Feb.24 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin has played down the impact that the new Russia-Ukraine conflict could have on Formula 1. We reported earlier that F1 authorities were “monitoring” the situation, which has only now escalated with reports of a full-scale invasion by Russian forces. Like Russian GP host Sochi, Ukraine is situated close to the Black […]
Vettel signs up familiar F1 physio
Feb.24 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen’s long time fitness coach and physiotherapist has started work with another Formula 1 champion. For almost 20 years, the British physio worked hand-in-hand with 2007 world champion Raikkonen at McLaren, Ferrari and beyond – having worked previously with another Finnish champion, Mika Hakkinen. Now, with 42-year-old Raikkonen finally retiring, 49-year-old Arnall […]
FIA, team bosses, play down Hamilton ‘bias’ claims
Feb.24 (GMM) As Lewis Hamilton launches new claims of F1 steward “bias”, both Toto Wolff and Christian Horner agree that it’s time to move on from the 2021 title controversy. “Maybe we have different opinions, but that’s behind us now,” said Horner, who led Max Verstappen to a controversial victory over Mercedes’ Hamilton last December. […]
Mercedes must ‘calibrate’ new driver pairing
Feb.23 (GMM) The jury is out as to how hard team newcomer George Russell will be able to push Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes this year. As far as team boss Toto Wolff is concerned, the pair have equal status. “We have never been in a situation where we have had a number 1 and a […]
Alpine CEO defends ousting F1 legend Prost
Feb.23 (GMM) Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi has no regrets after F1 legend Alain Prost left his post as a key team advisor and executive. Prost, 66, was scathing of Rossi when news of the split broke, accusing him of “jealousy” and revealing that the Frenchman wanted to “make decisions on his own”. Rossi apparently has […]
F1 ‘monitoring’ Russia-Ukraine war crisis
Feb.23 (GMM) Formula 1 and the FIA are monitoring the escalating situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border, according to a source. As the US orders troops to Eastern Europe amid Vladimir Putin’s apparent aggression against neighbouring Ukraine, Western leaders are busily imposing sanctions on Russia. A full Russian invasion is reportedly now on the cards, with […]
Ecclestone would have helped Verstappen – Tarquini
Feb.23 (GMM) A Bernie Ecclestone-run Formula 1 would have seen Max Verstappen crowned champion “much earlier”. That is the view of former F1 driver Gabriele Tarquini, referring to the continuing controversy surrounding the way Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s intense 2021 title battle concluded in Abu Dhabi. “The stewards almost ruined everything,” the Italian told Russia’s […]
Tsunoda admits to being ‘lazy’ in 2021
Feb.23 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda admits his big lesson from his debut season in Formula 1 last year was to stop being so “lazy”. The Honda-backed Japanese, who has been retained by Red Bull for its junior team Alpha Tauri, even described himself as a “lazy bastard”. Tsunoda, 21, says he got a false impression about […]
Alfa Romeo more independent under 2022 rules
Feb.23 (GMM) Alfa Romeo is taking a “step by step” approach to take more control of its own destiny in Formula 1. Where previously the Sauber-run team simply bought much of its technology from Ferrari, Alfa Romeo worked throughout 2021 on producing its own gearbox housing for the all-new 2022 car. “The decision was made […]
Brown hails Red Bull’s mammoth F1 sponsorships
Feb.23 (GMM) It is “great” that Red Bull is raking in the millions as a result of Max Verstappen winning the 2021 world championship. The energy drink owned team has signed two major sponsorship deals ahead of the 2022 season – with cloud computing company Oracle and Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Bybit. Forbes claims the Bybit […]
‘Ten teams enough’ for F1 – Wolff
Feb.22 (GMM) Toto Wolff sounds reluctant to open the door to Formula 1 to budding new applicant Michael Andretti. Former McLaren driver Andretti’s legendary father Mario, the 1978 title winner, revealed this week that his son has not given up on F1 after his Sauber buyout bid failed last year. However, the FIA immediately played […]
‘Nothing bad’ about 2021 finale – Alonso
Feb.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has played down the ongoing drama surrounding the way last year’s championship finale played out. When asked if he agrees that his former nemesis was “robbed” of his eighth title by the ousted Michael Masi’s controversial decision, the 40-year-old insisted: “No. “Everyone has their own opinion but it was a normal […]
Title finale drama not Max’s fault – Hamilton
Feb.22 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he has no hard feelings after his intense 2021 title battle ended in controversy and acrimony. “No, this has nothing to do with Max,” said the seven time world champion, who reportedly flirted with retirement throughout a winter period characterised by his silence. George Russell, Hamilton’s new Mercedes teammate, said […]
Alonso hints at new F1 contract for 2023
Feb.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso thinks he might stay in Formula 1 at least for another couple of years. The 40-year-old Spaniard returned to the grid with Alpine last year but insists 2021 was only “a warm-up” ahead of the all-new regulations debuting in 2022. “Hopefully it will allow us to fight for podiums, because if […]
Alpine CEO not ruling out white F1 livery
Feb.21 (GMM) The tantalising prospect of a white 2022 livery is not being ruled out by Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi. Actually, the Renault-owned team is preparing to reveal a blue and pink car for the start of the all-new regulations era, with the latter colour marking the switch of Austrian water company BWT from Aston […]
Mercedes did not force Masi sacking – Wolff
Feb.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes did not use threats to see Michael Masi removed as Formula 1 race director. That was the insistence of team boss Toto Wolff, as Hamilton’s retirement threats subsided by his appearance at the launch of Mercedes’ new car for 2022 – the silver W13. The event came after Wolff […]