Feb.8 (GMM) McLaren is not yet ready to take on the very top teams in Formula 1. Formerly a reliable world championship contender, the Woking based team has hit leaner times more recently but finished behind ‘big three’ Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari in 2021. However, team boss Andreas Seidl says McLaren is only now […]
F1 team bosses admit Masi role-change likely
Feb.8 (GMM) Two Formula 1 team bosses are hinting that changes to race director Michael Masi’s role are likely for 2022. F1’s governing body, newly headed by FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem, is currently conducting an investigation into the controversial outcome of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s title finale of 2021. “I’m not here to […]
‘Doubts’ about Ferrari ‘aerodynamics’ – insider
Feb.8 (GMM) There are signs of early trouble with Ferrari’s all-new car for the radical 2022 regulations. According to well-known Italian F1 insider Leo Turrini, there are no such concerns about the fabled Maranello team’s progress with its new power unit. “As far as I know, Ferrari is 100 percent sure that they were able […]
Launched 2022 Haas car not up-to-date – boss
Feb.7 (GMM) Gunther Steiner admits the published images of Haas’ all-new car for 2022 are already outdated. The small American team has become the first to ‘launch’ a radically different car for the brand new regulations, with a series of images published online. However, team boss Steiner warned Haas’ Formula 1 rivals against taking too […]
Sprint race format for 2022 still unclear – Steiner
Feb.7 (GMM) Gunther Steiner admits he isn’t sure if Formula 1’s ‘sprint qualifying’ trial has failed. With the 2022 season looming, time is running out for the FIA to negotiate with teams who are demanding a slight relaxation of the budget cap rules to cope with the extra cost of a second race per ‘sprint’ […]
More ‘intensity’ makes Verstappen’s career ‘limited’
Feb.7 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has all but confirmed his intention to race in 2022 with a social media post declaring that he is “back” after a long period of radio silence. “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!” the seven time world champion declared as the caption to a photo of himself standing at the top […]
‘Difficulties’ possible over Russian livery – Steiner
Feb.7 (GMM) Team boss Gunther Steiner has admitted he may face “difficulties” for once again agreeing to a Russian flag-inspired livery for Haas in 2022. With Russian Nikita Mazepin at the wheel, and his father’s company Uralkali as the title sponsor, the small American team already ran with a livery based on the white, blue […]
‘No special details’ revealed at car launch – Marko
Feb.4 (GMM) Red Bull won’t be putting “any special details” of its all-new car for 2022 on display when it is launched next Wednesday. It looks set to be Formula 1’s first look at a car for the brand new regulations era, with the other teams to follow with official reveals throughout February. However, Red […]
Top teams say ‘no’ to more sprint races in 2022
Feb.4 (GMM) Formula 1’s plan to expand the new ‘sprint qualifying’ format to as many as seven grand prix weekends in 2022 is in tatters. Recently, we reported that the big three teams – Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari – were demanding extra allowance under the new budget cap to compensate for the supposedly additional […]
Title controversy ‘not good’ for F1 – MotoGP boss
Feb.4 (GMM) The “controversy” surrounding the end of the ultra-intense 2021 world championship is not a good thing. While the maxim ‘all publicity is good publicity’ is often the case, MotoGP supremo Carmelo Ezpeleta says that doesn’t apply to the way the Max Verstappen versus Lewis Hamilton saga ended last year in Abu Dhabi. “I […]
2022 car rules ‘hard to understand’ – Piero Ferrari
Feb.3 (GMM) Piero Ferrari, the living son of team founder Enzo Ferrari, admits he must put his faith in the fabled Maranello marque to ace the all-new regulations for 2022. The billionaire, Ferrari vice chairman and 10 percent owner says he keeps getting asked by friends to explain what is being described as one of […]
Hamilton using his ‘power’ for F1 change
Feb.3 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has the personal “power” to force change in Formula 1. That is the view of Dutch racing driver Jeroen Bleekemolen, amid rumours Hamilton’s current radio silence and retirement hints are compelling the FIA to take action following the highly controversial 2021 season finale. “Hamilton is trying to increase the pressure on […]
Schumacher ‘ready’ for new Ferrari role in 2022
Feb.2 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has set his sights on regular appearances in Q2 this year as he prepares for his second season in Formula 1. The son of F1 great Michael Schumacher spent much of the off-season with his sister Gina at the family’s horse ranch in Texas. “I am ready for the new season […]
Leclerc not Ferrari’s number 1 driver – Capelli
Feb.2 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has not managed to establish himself as Ferrari’s clear number 1 driver. That is the view of former F1 driver and Italian motor racing official Ivan Capelli, who said the Maranello based team must allow Carlos Sainz to begin the 2022 season “on par” with Leclerc. Last week, top Red Bull […]
Red Bull also denies failing crash test
Feb.2 (GMM) Red Bull has also pushed back at claims it failed one of the FIA’s stricter new mandatory crash-test rules ahead of the all-new regulations era beginning in 2022. The energy drink-owned team’s key 2021 rival Mercedes this week denied suggestions its own new chassis, the W13, did not pass the tough new side […]
Ricciardo ‘jealous’ of Verstappen-Hamilton duel
Feb.2 (GMM) Max Verstappen has “something in common” with notorious Formula 1 greats Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. “I would not compare them because it’s impossible,” Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko told Autorevue. “We are talking about different eras. “But they do have something in common – total focus. You could even call it ruthlessness. […]
F1 confirms mandatory vaccination for 2022
Feb.1 (GMM) Formula 1 has confirmed reports that all drivers, travelling team staff and other personnel in the F1 paddock must be vaccinated against covid-19 from 2022. Following the debacle surrounding number 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic’s deportation from Australia earlier this month, Melbourne GP officials indicated that there would be no exception to vaccination […]
Marko hails Liberty for budget cap, Netflix
Feb.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has offered rare praise for the current commercial rights holders of Formula 1 – Liberty Media. The American media company has attracted plenty of criticism since taking over the sport and ousting Bernie Ecclestone five years ago, but new world champion Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko approves of the latest […]
Schumacher ‘ready’ for Ferrari seat – Domenicali
Feb.1 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is “ready” to step up to a full race seat at Ferrari. That is the view of none other than Stefano Domenicali, who long before becoming Formula 1’s CEO worked closely alongside Mick’s famous father Michael at the Maranello based team. “I had the privilege of working with Michael at Ferrari,” […]
‘Important’ Hamilton feels ‘comfortable’ – F1 CEO
Feb.1 (GMM) F1’s CEO hopes Lewis Hamilton is back in action in 2022. Stefano Domenicali’s latest comments come as the seven time world champion finally breaks his post title defeat silence – with a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. “I wish you a Happy Chinese New Year,” said the Mercedes driver. “May […]