Nov.30 (GMM) The late Sir Frank Williams “loved Formula 1 more than anything”. That was the fitting tribute by Bernie Ecclestone to the retired Williams co-founder and long-time team boss, who lost his battle after a long period of ill health on Sunday. “Frank was the toughest fighter I knew,” said former F1 supremo Bernie […]
Barcelona close to F1 testing agreement
Nov.30 (GMM) Barcelona is close to securing its return to being Formula 1’s official winter test venue. It was already known that the sport has pencilled in two separate test venues for early running of the all-new 2022 cars – in Barcelona and Bahrain. And with the Circuit de Catalunya now signed up to keep […]
Manager Webber says Piastri will make it to F1
Nov.30 (GMM) Oscar Piastri will eventually make his debut in Formula 1. That is the view of former F1 driver and fellow Australian Mark Webber, who manages 20-year-old Piastri’s career alongside his partner Ann. The Formula 2 championship leader was linked with the recently-vacant Alfa Romeo seat for 2022, but that was ultimately secured by […]
Red Bull shouldn’t worry about Hamilton ‘rocket’
Nov.30 (GMM) Red Bull should not be overly focused on Lewis Hamilton’s so-called “rocket” engine at the penultimate round of the intense 2021 title battle this weekend. That is the view, ahead of the first Saudi Arabian GP, of Kees van de Grint, a well-known former Bridgestone engineer who worked alongside Michael Schumacher at Ferrari. […]
Red Bull re-signed Perez to get ‘better Checo’
Nov.30 (GMM) Red Bull extended Sergio Perez’s contract into 2022 in order to get “a better Checo” for the championship battle. While Mercedes may have the edge with its car for the final two races of the intense 2021 title fight, Red Bull arguably has a better ‘number 2’ in the form of Mexican Perez. […]
Sponsors flocking to Alfa Romeo after Zhou signing
Nov.30 (GMM) The phones are running off the hook at Sauber-run Alfa Romeo, team boss Frederic Vasseur has revealed. What has changed for the midfield Swiss-based team? It was the signing of Guanyu Zhou, the well-financed Chinese Formula 2 driver, for 2022. In conversation with motorsport-magazin.com, Frenchman Vasseur would not be drawn on how much […]
‘Agonising’ period over for Spanish GP – boss
Nov.29 (GMM) The Spanish GP is returning to a period of “stability” thanks to a new contract between Formula 1 and the Circuit de Catalunya. Last week, we reported that the government had given the green light to the Barcelona circuit organisers to sign new 2022-2026 deals with both F1 and MotoGP. Those contracts have […]
2022 Dutch GP already sold out
Nov.29 (GMM) The 2022 Dutch GP is already sold out. The first modern Formula 1 race at the Zandvoort circuit this year was a roaring success, off the back of local hero Max Verstappen’s popularity and title challenge. And De Telegraaf newspaper now reports that well over 400,000 people have already put their names in […]
Mazepin’s father paid for new Haas chassis
Nov.29 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin’s father says he personally paid for a new Haas chassis to be built for his son. “Yes, it really was a problem, but we solved it together with the team,” said Russian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin, whose Uralkali company is Haas’ title sponsor. Mazepin snr says that as Haas saved money for […]
Williams boss Capito says ‘no decision’ on VW link
Nov.29 (GMM) Jost Capito has played down swirling rumours surrounding Williams and Volkswagen. Red Bull and McLaren are both linked with VW brands Audi and Porsche’s open interest in signing up for Formula 1’s new engine regulations in 2026. But Williams – now featuring several former Volkswagen personnel including Capito himself – has also been […]
Vettel silent on Saudi Arabia human rights
Nov.29 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s reluctance to criticise Middle Eastern race hosts for their countries’ human rights records has now morphed into a full apparent muzzle. Although highly outspoken on a range of popular social, environmental and political issues of the moment, both Lewis Hamilton and Vettel were more muted when asked to criticise the Qatar […]
2021 title tension ‘normal’ – Verstappen
Nov.29 (GMM) Max Verstappen says the high tension between his team Red Bull and championship challenger Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton is “normal”. But that didn’t stop him poking fun at two incidents in Brazil – one resulting in him receiving a EUR 50,000 fine for touching Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing in parc ferme, and a […]
Honda wary of Mercedes’ late-season ‘secrets’
Nov.29 (GMM) Red Bull’s car designer, works engine partner, and top Formula 1 driver are all determined to win the 2021 world championship. Max Verstappen, with an apparent car disadvantage to Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton but an 8 point lead with two races to go, was asked by the Spanish broadcaster DAZN what it will feel […]
F1 schedule not more hectic than ever – Raikkonen
Nov.29 (GMM) F1 veteran Kimi Raikkonen denies that the schedule in Formula 1 is more hectic in the modern era. At 42, the Finn and 2007 world champion is the oldest and longest-serving active driver, having debuted some two full decades ago. In 2001, there were just 17 grands prix – six less than are […]
Permanent stewards raised ‘bias’ issues – Masi
Nov.29 (GMM) F1 race director Michael Masi has hit back at claims that Formula 1 should have permanent stewards. In Qatar, a debate raged inside the driver camp following Max Verstappen’s unpunished turn 4 defensive move against title rival Lewis Hamilton. Some declared afterwards that the problem is that different stewards are on duty at […]
Russell can challenge Hamilton in 2022 – Capito
Nov.29 (GMM) Jost Capito thinks departing Williams driver George Russell can give Lewis Hamilton a run for his money at Mercedes next year. With Valtteri Bottas ousted, long-time Mercedes junior Russell, 23, has been called up to become Hamilton’s teammate for 2022 and beyond. Mercedes’ gain, though, is Williams’ loss. “Of course I’m sad that […]
‘Toughest’ series of F1 races ever – Steiner
Nov.26 (GMM) The past month or so may have been the “toughest” sequence of grands prix in Formula 1 history. That is the view of Gunther Steiner, who runs the sport’s smallest and – in 2021 – least competitive team in pitlane. The Haas team principal was asked to comment on the particularly arduous ‘triple […]
Gasly ‘deserves’ another top team chance – Perez
Nov.26 (GMM) Sergio Perez has admitted that former Red Bull driver Pierre Gasly “deserves” another chance to race for a top Formula 1 team. Mexican Perez, 31, was signed by the energy drink company’s premier team for 2021 in order to replace the underperforming Alex Albon. Albon, in turn, had been the replacement for the […]
Ferrari boss admits 2021 season ‘almost unbearable’
Nov.26 (GMM) Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto admits the last phase of the 2021 season is “almost unbearable”. Indeed, the fabled Italian team has been working almost exclusively on its 2022 car throughout the entire year, whilst at the same time battling hard with McLaren for third place in the constructors’ championship. It has been […]
Mazepin’s father still wants to buy F1 team
Nov.26 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin’s father says his company is “ready” to ramp up its backing of Haas – and he’s also not ruling out buying a Formula 1 team outright. Dmitry Mazepin, who is listed in the top 100 wealthiest businessmen in Russia, is backing the small American outfit via his potash fertiliser company Uralkali. […]