Feb.14 (GMM) Michael Masi looks set to keep a prominent role at the top of Formula 1 – but clear changes are incoming for 2022. Since the highly controversial 2021 title finale in Abu Dhabi, some people have been calling for race director Michael Masi to be ousted for a series of questionable decisions. “People […]
Vettel admits environmental hypocrisy
Feb.14 (GMM) Outspoken environmentalist Sebastian Vettel has acknowledged the “extreme dichotomy” of wearing the name of the world’s biggest oil company on his chest and Formula 1 car in 2022. Aston Martin has sealed a massive title sponsorship deal with Aramco – the state owned Saudi oil giant Aramco – at precisely the same time […]
Ricciardo ‘not worried’ about Norris’ rise
Feb.14 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says he isn’t worried that history is now repeating for him at McLaren. Some years ago, the 32-year-old fled Red Bull when it reportedly became clear to him that the momentum of that team had shifted palpably towards Max Verstappen. Ricciardo says he has no regrets, even though his path to […]
Sainz eyes new Ferrari contract
Feb.11 (GMM) Carlos Sainz sounds confident he will extend his deal and keep racing for Ferrari beyond 2022. Dr Helmut Marko thinks the former Red Bull protege and Spaniard proved last year that Charles Leclerc is no “wonder boy”. Indeed, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has even hinted at looming contract negotiations with the 27-year-old driver […]
Aston Martin reveals first ‘real’ 2022 car
Feb.11 (GMM) Aston Martin has become the first Formula 1 team to unveil a “real” car for the all-new 2022 regulations. Haas launched with digital images only, while Red Bull pulled the wraps off what was fundamentally a re-painted version of the mocked-up 2022 Formula 1 show car – with no brakes and not all […]
Hamilton ‘in trouble’ after title loss – Sainz
Feb.11 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton was “in trouble” in the moments immediately after losing the 2021 world championship. That is the claim of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who was up on the podium with the seven time world champion and new title winner Max Verstappen after the highly contentious Abu Dhabi finale. “How would I have felt […]
Vettel fends off F1 retirement talk
Feb.11 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has fended off suggestions 2022 could be his last season in Formula 1. Actually, the longevity of the quadruple world champion’s career has looked shaky since his relationship with Ferrari broke down spectacularly. He found refuge at Aston Martin, but now the architect of that deal – Otmar Szafnauer – is […]
Zhou not bothered by ‘pay driver’ jibe
Feb.10 (GMM) Guanyu Zhou is confident he belongs in Formula 1. The 22-year-old rookie was not just third overall in Formula 2 last year, he will step up from being an Alpine development driver and become F1’s first ever Chinese star in 2022. “In China, it is very difficult to get to where I am […]
Hamilton in ‘form of his life’ in 2021 – Marko
Feb.10 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko is welcoming Lewis Hamilton back to Formula 1 after the seven time world champion’s controversial title loss of 2021. Elements of the British media are still up in arms about the FIA’s handling of the Abu Dhabi finale, as new radio messages about the highly controversial safety car period surface. […]
Norris becomes F1’s third-highest earner
Feb.10 (GMM) With Red Bull revealing a reportedly $500 million new title sponsorship deal, McLaren driver Lando Norris is also counting his millions this week. The 22-year-old has reportedly leapt up to third place in Formula 1’s earnings rankings – behind only Lewis Hamilton and world champion Max Verstappen – by signing a new contract […]
Red Bull launch ‘purely marketing’ – Marko
Feb.10 (GMM) Red Bull’s official presentation of its 2022 car was actually just a “marketing campaign” because key technical details were not on display. “It’s purely a marketing campaign,” Dr Helmut Marko confirmed to Sport1. It is a trend likely to be repeated among the top teams ahead of the all-new regulations era, with Marko […]
Horner’s Mercedes factory tour unlikely
Feb.9 (GMM) An epic troll carried out by Red Bull boss Christian Horner appears to have hit a snag. Many observers giggled when it emerged that the Briton had won a more than $5000 bid at an awards show to secure a guided tour of arch rival Mercedes’ Brackley headquarters. “I’d like to take Adrian […]
Ferrari’s tobacco sponsorship definitely over
Feb.9 (GMM) The departure of tobacco giant Philip Morris from Formula 1 appears to be complete. The controversial ‘Mission Winnow’ campaign, designed to divert attention from overt advertising of Marlboro cigarettes, has not only run its course – Philip Morris has reportedly turned its back on the Ferrari deal altogether. At a recent private test […]
Vettel asks for rallying career ‘chance’
Feb.9 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is not ruling out taking a closer look at the world of rallying. At 34, the German is a quadruple world champion who now finds himself in the middle of the grid with Aston Martin – and regularly speaking out about environmental issues. Some believe Vettel’s Formula 1 career is winding […]
No more F1 ‘kneeling’ ceremony – Domenicali
Feb.9 (GMM) Formula 1 has called an end to the pre-race ‘kneeling’ ceremony that became commonplace during the covid-marred era of the past two seasons. As the world begins to find its feet after two long years of restrictions and fundamental societal changes, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says drivers will no longer gather for their […]
F1 title rivals ‘need a year off’ – Webber
Feb.9 (GMM) Max Verstappen has questioned how upset his 2021 title nemesis should be about missing out on his eighth world championship. After a long period of radio silence and speculation about his retirement, Lewis Hamilton is now back at work at Mercedes’ Brackley HQ. Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko admits Verstappen, 24, also struggled […]
Alfa Romeo denies 2022 car running late
Feb.8 (GMM) Alfa Romeo has played down fears its 2022 car is running late. The Sauber-run team announced that it will launch its car for the all-new regulations on February 27 – some days after the end of the first test in Barcelona. However, following a fan and media backlash, the Swiss-based team subsequently clarified […]
Gasly ‘ready’ for ‘next step’ in F1 – Red Bull
Feb.8 (GMM) Pierre Gasly is “ready” for the “next step” in his Formula 1 career. Those words of Red Bull sporting boss Jonathan Wheatley will be music to the ears of the 26-year-old French driver, who has been outspoken about his disappointment at not being invited to return to the premier team. Gasly is now […]
German circuits not giving up on F1
Feb.8 (GMM) Germany’s famous two Formula 1 circuits are not giving up on hosting grands prix. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently singled out the German market as one of his biggest disappointments, insisting he sees no great desire for a local circuit to re-join the calendar. But Hockenheim managing director Jorn Teske hit back at […]
Father hits back at ‘Max is Belgian’ narrative
Feb.8 (GMM) World champion Max Verstappen’s father has hit back at attempts within Belgium to claim the now world-famous 24-year-old Dutchman as their own. Verstappen was actually born in Hasselt, Belgium – and his Belgian mother, Sophie Kumpen, was a well known international kart driver. Jos Verstappen, a former Formula 1 driver, is Dutch – […]