Feb.21 (GMM) The sport’s governing body has played down reports that Michael Andretti is still pushing to put together a Formula 1 team. Late last year, it emerged that the former McLaren driver – who is now a major player in the US-based Indycar and wider motor racing scene – was poised to buy the […]
No ‘double diffuser’ loopholes with new cars
Feb.18 (GMM) Formula 1 has avoided a new ‘double diffuser’ situation with its new 2022 regulations, according to the FIA. In 2009, Brawn GP emerged from the ashes of Honda’s shock withdrawal from F1 to shockingly ace the all-new aerodynamic rules – and ultimately win the title against all odds. With Formula 1 now undergoing […]
Covid still endangering Japanese GP – report
Feb.18 (GMM) A dark cloud is moving overhead yet another confirmed race host on Formula 1’s bustling 2022 calendar. We reported this week that Melbourne, Montreal and Sochi may all be in doubt due to respective covid, political and conflict-related issues – and now Suzuka may also be in trouble. Jeroen Huis in ‘t Veld, […]
Masi axe a ‘gift’ on Mercedes launch day
Feb.18 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has backed the FIA’s decision to axe under-fire Formula 1 race director Michael Masi. Confirming speculation that changes would be ushered in as a result to the post-Abu Dhabi investigation, new FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem announced that two names – Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas – will succeed the Australian. […]
Talks underway as ‘radical’ Ferrari revealed
Feb.18 (GMM) Talks between Carlos Sainz and Ferrari are already underway. The news emerged on Thursday, as the Italian team and Spaniard Sainz joined teammate Charles Leclerc in revealing Ferrari’s 2022 car to the world. Team personnel used words like “radical”, “extreme” and “innovative” to describe the F1-75, which was under development for much longer […]
Latifi confirms F1 visibility issue for 2022
Feb.17 (GMM) Nicholas Latifi has confirmed that driver visibility has taken a step backwards for 2022. Fellow F1 driver Lando Norris said this week that the cockpit view is “different” this year due to the larger wheels and nearby bodywork fairings. “That could become a problem on circuits like Monaco or Singapore,” he said. Latifi […]
‘Everyone talking’ about Miami GP – Grosjean
Feb.17 (GMM) Miami is buzzing with anticipation ahead of the Floridian metropolis’ inaugural Formula 1 street race. That is the news from former F1 driver Romain Grosjean, who recently relocated his family from Europe to Miami for his US-based Indycar career. The Frenchman told Canal Plus that he will attend the inaugural May race at […]
Alesi excited about ‘very slim’ 2022 Ferrari
Feb.17 (GMM) F1 legend Jean Alesi says he got the world’s first look at the all-new 2022 Ferrari. Ahead of Thursday’s reveal and maiden test at Maranello and Fiorano, a supposedly leaked photo of the F1-75 began to do the rounds on the internet. Frenchman Alesi, who drove for the fabled Italian team in the […]
Drivers hope F1’s covid era now ending
Feb.17 (GMM) Two Formula 1 drivers are hoping the race calendar goes off without a hitch in 2022. The past two seasons were severely affected by the covid pandemic, but Australian Daniel Ricciardo is hoping he will finally be able to return to his native country for the scheduled race in Melbourne in April. “I’m […]
Williams drops Senna logo from F1 car
Feb.16 (GMM) Williams has controversially dropped the iconic and traditional ‘Senna S’ logo from its Formula 1 car. The tiny tribute has been located on or near the front nose of every Williams racer since the great Brazilian’s death in 1994 – but it is conspicuously missing from the newly-revealed 2022 machine. Team founder Sir […]
Driver visibility an issue in 2022 – Norris
Feb.16 (GMM) Driver visibility could be a problem in Formula 1 this year, Lando Norris has warned. As the sport switches from 13 to 18-inch tyres for the all-new 2022 regulations, one issue that has flown under the radar until now is that the bigger wheels risk obscuring the already limited view for the drivers. […]
Sainz hints at ‘innovative’ 2022 Ferrari
Feb.16 (GMM) Ferrari’s unseen 2022 car is “innovative to the maximum”. That is the tantalising message provided by the Maranello team’s Spanish driver Carlos Sainz ahead of its reveal and maiden outing on Thursday. Already seen so far are the McLaren, Williams, Alpha Tauri, Aston Martin and even the camouflaged Alfa Romeo after a debut […]
F1 calendar should not be too long – Tost
Feb.16 (GMM) Formula 1 risks diluting its product by continuing to expand the annual race calendar. Normally, Alpha Tauri boss Franz Tost is the biggest defender of the sport’s whopping modern calendars, insisting personnel are lucky to be working in a busy, thriving industry. However, with the schedule currently at an unprecedented 23 races and […]
Latifi upped security after death threats
Feb.16 (GMM) Nicholas Latifi has beefed up his personal security in the wake of the highly contentious 2021 world championship finale in Abu Dhabi. Shortly after the final race of last season, the Williams driver revealed that he received abuse and even death threats from Lewis Hamilton fans accusing him of crashing deliberately to trigger […]
Tensions ease between top F1 team bosses
Feb.16 (GMM) Tensions between Red Bull and Mercedes appear to have cooled in the wake of the ultra intense 2021 world championship finale. When the F1 Commission got together in London this week, it was the first face-to-face encounter since Max Verstappen sensationally pipped Lewis Hamilton to the crown amid highly controversial circumstances. On the […]
Norris not number 1 McLaren driver – Seidl
Feb.15 (GMM) McLaren boss Andreas Seidl has denied that a long and lucrative new contract means Lando Norris has leapt into ‘number 1 driver’ status. 22-year-old Norris’ star had already been rising before his contract was extended – with a significant pay rise – all the way through the end of 2025. Until then, multiple […]
New Aston boss doubts BMW to enter F1
Feb.15 (GMM) Mike Krack, the outgoing boss of BMW’s motor racing division, has played down suggestions the German manufacturer could be eyeing Formula 1. The 49-year-old has been recruited by Aston Martin to switch to Formula 1 and replace the reportedly Alpine-bound Otmar Szafnauer. When asked if BMW might be following hot on his heels […]
F1’s treatment of Masi ‘unfair’ – Ricciardo
Feb.15 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has called for calmer heads as Formula 1 delays revealing the fate of the sport’s under-fire race director Michael Masi. Ever since the highly controversial 2021 finale in Abu Dhabi, but even before that as well, there have been calls for the Australian’s ousting. According to which insider is asked, what […]
Two F1 teams eyeing future engine switch
Feb.14 (GMM) Both Aston Martin and McLaren are not ruling out splitting from their customer engine partner Mercedes. The reports follow hot on the heels of Red Bull’s decision to take charge of its own power unit destiny in the team’s post-Honda era – even though they retain the support of subsidiary Honda Racing Corporation […]
Hamilton has not quit Formula 1
Feb.14 (GMM) It’s now official – Lewis Hamilton has not quit Formula 1. After weeks of speculation amid his total radio silence following the controversial 2021 title defeat to Max Verstappen, Mercedes has named George Russell and Hamilton as “our drivers” for 2022. In a note to the media, the Brackley based team said reporters […]