Jun.28 (GMM) The mayor of Madrid has played down reports the Spanish city could soon host a Formula 1 race. Days ago, it emerged that Madrid cabinet minister Enrique Lopez had written to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to “express our interest” in joining the sport’s ever-expanding annual calendar. “I would like to confirm our commitment […]
Brown worried Andretti F1 bid ‘dead’
Jun.28 (GMM) McLaren supremo Zak Brown is worried former team driver Michael Andretti’s bid to bring a new team into Formula 1 could be “dead”. Andretti Autosport is a big name not only in US-based motor racing but globally, including in the all-electric Formula 1 series. However, Formula 1 and the FIA appear reluctant to […]
F1, teams set to compromise over inflation crisis
Jun.27 (GMM) F1’s governing body has proposed to end the current budget cap argument by paying teams a fixed amount to counteract raging inflation. Although many of the smaller teams insist the $140 million budget cap should be strictly enforced this year, others – including Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari – argue that the inflation […]
Porsche still ‘confident’ about F1 entry
Jun.27 (GMM) Porsche is showing no signs of backing away from its stated intention to enter Formula 1 in 2026. Last week, we reported that Porsche and another Volkswagen-owned German carmaker – Audi – were getting nervous about the delayed confirmation of the next set of engine regulations. But Oliver Blume, Porsche’s CEO, seems comfortable […]
F1 inks massive new US television deal
Jun.27 (GMM) Formula 1 has managed to multiply the value of its television rights deal in the United States by a staggering factor of 15. That is the revelation of Sports Business Journal, reporting that Liberty Media-owned Formula One Management has leveraged the sport’s popularity explosion in the US in renewing its deal with ESPN […]
FIA lawyer tipped-off Toto Wolff – Ecclestone
Jun.27 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he has no problem being the target of Formula 1’s political shark-tank at present. The Mercedes boss is being blasted by all sides at present, particularly on the topic of Mercedes’ struggles with the ‘porpoising’ phenomenon and Wolff’s supposed efforts to drive the FIA’s clampdown. He has even been accused […]
Vettel should drop interest in politics – Ecclestone
Jun.27 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel should stop worrying about global issues and instead re-set his full focus on Formula 1. That is the advice of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who was asked about the quadruple world champion’s current situation in the sport and his obvious new activism in environmental, social and political matters. “He’s not […]
Hamilton now happy to lose in 2022 – Ecclestone
Jun.27 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton, who is the most successful driver in Formula 1 history, has stopped caring about winning. That is the sensational claim of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who thinks the seven time world champion may even be losing the support of his own Mercedes boss. “Toto (Wolff) is getting a bit fed […]
Honda could return to F1 in 2026 – report
Jun.24 (GMM) Formula 1 and Volkswagen are getting nervous about delays in the finalisation of the engine rules for 2026. Porsche and Audi intend to enter F1 for the beginning of the simpler and greener set of new engine rules, but Auto Motor und Sport reports that “renegotiations and internal quarrels” are holding up the […]
Mazepin ‘not interested’ in Indycar switch
Jun.24 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin insists he is “not interested” in switching his focus from Formula 1 to Indycar. Although sacked by Haas over the Ukraine conflict and resulting western sanctions, the 23-year-old insists he is “an optimist” about his chances of mounting a return. “I have confidence that in the future it will be possible […]
Netflix cameras ‘creating drama’ in F1 – Szafnauer
Jun.24 (GMM) It is clear that an explosive meeting of team bosses in Montreal will be featured in the next official Netflix series about Formula 1. As the bosses warred over the FIA’s clampdown on so-called ‘porpoising’, Red Bull boss Christian Horner revealed that the Netflix cameras were rolling when Toto Wolff “lost his sh*t”. […]
Schumacher’s father would stop criticism – Ecclestone
Jun.24 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has leapt to the defence of struggling Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher, insisting Haas should “help” rather than “criticise” him. The 91-year-old former F1 supremo admitted, however, that the performance of F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s son is currently “difficult to assess”. “We don’t know how good or bad the car is,” […]
Racing driver says suspended Juri Vips ‘not racist’
Jun.24 (GMM) British-Pakistani racing driver Enaam Ahmed has leapt to the defence of suspended Red Bull junior Juri Vips. Estonian Vips, 21, was the Red Bull junior who was arguably closest to getting the call-up to the Formula 1 grid and a frontrunner in Formula 2. This week, the energy drink company revealed that it […]
Spa-Francorchamps open to F1’s ‘American way’
Jun.23 (GMM) Race official Stijn de Boever admits legendary Spa-Francorchamps needs to adopt “the American way” if it wants to stay on the Formula 1 calendar. It is becoming clearer and clearer that the iconic circuit could be left without a place on the 24-race schedule for 2023, as F1’s owner Liberty Media taps exciting […]
Ocon happy if Alonso stays at Alpine
Jun.23 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has indicated he would be happy if Alpine extends its contract with Formula 1 legend Fernando Alonso. Currently, the Renault-owned team is reportedly tossing up between the 40-year-old Spaniard and reigning Formula 2 champion and rookie Oscar Piastri for 2023. There are also signs of disagreements between Alonso and Alpine team […]
Locals opposed to proposed F1 race in Nice
Jun.23 (GMM) Proposed plans to take Formula 1 to Nice, France, are hitting an early roadblock. When he heard about reports that the current French GP at Paul Ricard, or possibly even the iconic Monaco GP, could relocate to Nice, French driver Esteban Ocon admitted he was a supporter. “It’s a pity if we lose […]
Ocon influenced FIA in Montreal – Magnussen
Jun.23 (GMM) F1 drivers can “effortlessly” influence the FIA during grands prix, according to Haas’ Kevin Magnussen. The Dane was ordered to pit during the recent Canadian GP after Esteban Ocon, who was following Magnussen in his Alpine, complained on the radio that a piece of the Haas’ front wing could fly off and hit […]
Melbourne happy with later calendar date
Jun.23 (GMM) Australian GP chief Andrew Westacott says he knows Melbourne will no longer always be the season-opening grand prix. Until quite recently, the race at Albert Park was the traditional season opener, but this year F1 reverted to Bahrain as the first race after a winter test in the island Kingdom. And with Melbourne […]
Growing camp tells F1 drivers to toughen up
Jun.23 (GMM) A camp is forming in the Formula 1 paddock among those who think the sport’s drivers should toughen up about ‘porpoising’. Former driver David Coulthard, now a highly respected broadcaster, says he is from an era in which F1 drivers “take the pain” of their job in the cockpit. “What I would say […]
F1 refunded Russian GP race fee – Mazepin
Jun.22 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin says he thinks the former promoter of the Russian GP has now received a refund from Formula 1. The Russian driver, who was axed by Haas early this year amid the widespread western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict, vowed this week to sue the American team for unpaid wages. We reported […]