Feb.1 (GMM) Mercedes has denied reports that its all-new W13 car for the 2022 regulations recently failed a mandatory FIA crash test. “W13 completed full FIA homologation on 13 January,” the Brackley based team, whose Lewis Hamilton failed at the last hurdle to win the 2021 title, announced in order to contradict the rumours. There […]
Domenicali plays down Vettel’s F1 ‘criticism’
Jan.31 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali has played down quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel’s concerns about the future of Formula 1. The German driver recently expressed concern that the category is falling behind on sustainability and environmental matters – and could be defunct in a decade. “I don’t want to take that as criticism,” F1 CEO Domenicali […]
‘Quite late’ to confirm 2022 sprint races – Horner
Jan.31 (GMM) It is getting late in the day to confirm the sprint qualifying format for 2022, according to Red Bull boss Christian Horner. We reported recently that some teams are arguing they need extra funds from Formula 1 to cover the additional racing this year, with F1 hoping to run six weekends this year […]
Wolff regrets verbal spats with Horner
Jan.31 (GMM) Toto Wolff admits he regrets getting into a tit-for-tat verbal spat with rival Formula 1 team boss Christian Horner in 2021. As the pair’s respective Mercedes and Red Bull teams battled for the title last year, Wolff and Horner’s relationship deteriorated badly via the media. “I really regret it,” Mercedes boss Wolff admitted […]
Verstappen salary ‘close to the limit’ – Marko
Jan.31 (GMM) Red Bull is set to kick off contract negotiations with new world champion Max Verstappen. The move comes amid ongoing speculation about whether Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton will quit Formula 1 – but Dr Helmut Marko doubts Red Bull is set to lose its star Dutchman. “Even if Hamilton retires, I doubt that Max […]
Crash test trouble for Mercedes, Red Bull cars
Jan.31 (GMM) There are reports that likely championship contenders Red Bull and Mercedes have both struck trouble with the official FIA crash testing of their respective 2022 cars. Another rumour is that Aston Martin has fallen behind with its program to produce an all-new car for this season, although the Silverstone based team denies it. […]
Capito open to F1 talks with Volkswagen
Jan.31 (GMM) Jost Capito is refusing to deny that he would be interested in a chat with Volkswagen executives. The German is currently Williams’ team boss, but prior to that he was the highly successful director of the German giant VW’s motorsport program. He is therefore well placed to comment on rumours that VW brands […]
‘New race director’ likely in 2022 – FIA
Jan.31 (GMM) F1’s governing body has admitted that under-fire race director Michael Masi’s job is set to change in 2022. Officially, the FIA declared at the weekend that “no decision” has been taken, amid reports Masi will be joined by ‘race co-directors’ this year. And Peter Bayer, who is the head of Formula 1 matters […]
Giovinazzi not giving up on 2023 return
Jan.31 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi insists he has not given up on Formula 1. The Italian was gutted late last season when Alfa Romeo announced that Chinese rookie Guanyu Zhou will be replacing him for 2022. But Giovinazzi, 28, is keeping his F1 hopes alive with the joint Ferrari reserve driver role. “When I heard I […]
Vandoorne admits F1 career ‘probably’ over
Jan.31 (GMM) Former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne admits he is unlikely to ever return to Formula 1. The Belgian, 29, was Fernando Alonso’s teammate until he lost the seat at the end of 2018. After that, he became a Mercedes test driver and he also now races for the works Mercedes team in Formula E. […]
No ‘truth’ to Hamilton quit threats – Marko
Jan.31 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s post-defeat “silence” was all “part of the drama” of the incredible and intense 2021 world championship climax, finale and aftermath. Those are the words of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner – and he is backed up by his Austrian colleague Dr Helmut Marko. They both commented on speculation Hamilton’s post-defeat […]
Masi could get F1 ‘race co-directors’ in 2022 – report
Jan.28 (GMM) Formula 1 is drawing up a plan to give under-fire race director Michael Masi more support in 2022. Even those not calling for the Australian to be ousted agree that some questionable decisions in 2021, including in the Abu Dhabi title-decider, means F1 needs to respond in some way. “Now the FIA wants […]
Honda had ‘rethink’ after F1 exit – Marko
Jan.28 (GMM) Honda will be more deeply involved in Red Bull’s Formula 1 program this year and beyond than was previously thought. Officially, the Japanese carmaker has already departed as Red Bull’s works F1 partner. The energy drink company intended to use Honda’s engine IP this year and beyond whilst building up its own Red […]
Hamilton was ‘robbed’ of 2021 title – Ogier
Jan.28 (GMM) Eight time world rally champion Sebastien Ogier says Lewis Hamilton was “robbed” of the 2021 Formula 1 crown. Currently, the motor racing world is in the dark amid speculation Mercedes’ Hamilton, 37, could suddenly quit the sport in protest of how the 2021 championship ended in high controversy. “I think he will come […]
Young driver can replace Hamilton – Capito
Jan.28 (GMM) A Formula 1 team boss says it would be no tragedy if Lewis Hamilton decides to suddenly retire ahead of the 2022 season. While most experts do expect the Mercedes driver to eventually break his silence and race on, rumours continue to suggest he is so upset about his 2021 defeat to Max […]
Barcelona loses ‘official pre-season test’ status
Jan.27 (GMM) Formula 1’s opening test of the all-new technical era beginning in 2022 will be a “lower key” affair in Barcelona. “The Barcelona test has lost its official status,” reported the Spanish sports daily AS. That headline came after F1 announced that the first of two pre-season tests for the brand new 2022 cars […]
Genoa court ends Briatore super-yacht tax probe
Jan.27 (GMM) A tax evasion probe involving former F1 personality Flavio Briatore has finally ended. The case goes all the way back to 2010, when Italian police seized the former Renault boss’ 63-metre super-yacht called Force Blue. It centred mainly around the ownership of the yacht – a company in the British Islands that allegedly […]
Hamilton title loss also cost Bottas money
Jan.27 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas admits Lewis Hamilton’s world championship defeat last year also cost him a lot of money. “You are right,” the Finn smiled when asked about lost team bonuses that are otherwise payable by the Mercedes team for all title victories. “It was quite a final lap,” Bottas added, referring to the way […]
Horner hopes Hamilton returns to F1
Jan.27 (GMM) Red Bull’s team boss hopes Lewis Hamilton will return to Formula 1 this year in a bid to reclaim the title from Max Verstappen. As it stands, rumours are still swirling that the seven time world champion could in fact extend his current radio silence and make it full retirement from the sport […]
Ricciardo could end F1 career with McLaren
Jan.27 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo is enjoying the arm around his shoulder at McLaren, after emerging from the “tough love” of life under Dr Helmut Marko’s rule. The Australian driver insists, however, that he has no resentment about the way Marko’s notorious Red Bull driver program went about business on his road to Formula 1. “Helmut […]