May 23 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has refused to apologise for comments that reportedly could have left him with a disrepute charge courtesy of the governing FIA. In Barcelona, but also in the days prior, the two-time world champion launched a stinging criticism of Formula 1’s latest race officials, calling them the “most worrying thing” about […]
Red Bull to re-think super-light DRS for Monaco
May 23 (GMM) World champion Max Verstappen has overcome a hefty early points deficit to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to take the lead of the 2022 drivers’ world championship. “After his second retirement, you all said it was over for us,” Red Bull’s Helmut Marko told reporters in Barcelona. “But I said back then that we […]
Perez team orders anger ‘understandable’ – Marko
May 23 (GMM) Sergio Perez is “negotiating” for a new Red Bull deal, according to former Formula 1 driver Giedo van der Garde. Mexican Perez was vocally upset about the team’s “unfair” decision to order him to let new championship leader and teammate Max Verstappen past for the lead of the Spanish GP. But he […]
Glock doesn’t believe ‘green Red Bull’ explanation
May 22 (GMM) Former F1 driver Timo Glock does not believe that Aston Martin designed its ‘B spec’ car without directly copying Red Bull. After Red Bull lost Dan Fallows and other team members to its Lawrence Stroll-owned rival, officials are now exploring their options as they suspect intellectual property has been stolen. Aston Martin’s […]
Formula 1 is ‘political’ now – Wurz
May 22 (GMM) While Formula 1 drivers once shied away from overt politics, that era is well and truly over now. That is the view of Alex Wurz, a former driver who is now president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association. “I think we’ve seen a decisive change,” he told Kurier newspaper. The Austrian said […]
Mercedes finally ‘understands’ bouncing car
May 22 (GMM) Mercedes is well on the road to recovery after a dire start to the new ‘ground effect’ era. Although George Russell is still leading the way to seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the overall gap to Ferrari and Red Bull is down to about 6 tenths. “We understand the bouncing now,” […]
Alpine will ‘consider’ re-signing Alonso – boss
May 22 (GMM) Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer says the Renault-owned team will “consider” re-signing Fernando Alonso for 2023. As the two-time world champion’s contract nears its end, rumours suggest Alpine might turn instead to reigning Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri – with 40-year-old Alonso reportedly eyeing Aston Martin. “I can imagine many things,” team boss […]
FIA considering disrepute penalty for Alonso
May 21 (GMM) The FIA is reportedly looking into whether Fernando Alonso has brought Formula 1 into disrepute with his stinging criticism of the sport’s officials. A few days ago, the two-time champion said at a personal sponsor event that the “most worrying thing” about F1’s new era was “the race direction and the stewards”. […]
Bosses drink ‘green Red Bull’ as F1 row erupts
May 21 (GMM) Red Bull is preparing to go to war with Aston Martin over what Dr Helmut Marko describes as an “incredible copy” of the energy drink company’s 2022 car. “We will look into the matter in detail,” Marko told Sky Deutschland, after free practice in Barcelona where Red Bull officials drank from green […]
Marko predicts Mercedes return in Spain
May 21 (GMM) “Us, Mercedes and then Ferrari,” said Dr Helmut Marko in Barcelona as he predicted a surprise hierarchy for this weekend’s Spanish GP. On Friday, it was championship leader Charles Leclerc in his newly updated Ferrari that led the way in practice, with Mercedes a surprise second and third in the afternoon. Seven […]
Promising juniors in short supply – pundits
May 21 (GMM) There is a shortage of really promising talents coming up the ranks towards Formula 1. That is the view of Jack Plooij, the well-known presenter for Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport, who noted that Red Bull junior Juri Vips failed to shine on Friday. Vips, 21, is the cream of Red Bull’s notorious […]
‘No idea’ about Latifi axe rumours – de Vries
May 21 (GMM) Both Nicholas Latifi and Nyck de Vries have brushed off rumours that they are currently fighting for the Williams race seat. In Barcelona, reigning Formula E driver de Vries made his F1 race weekend debut – going head-to-head and beating Canadian Latifi. Last week, a well-known Canadian journalist claimed a deal for […]
Sainz ‘still on equal terms’ with Leclerc
May 20 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has denied that he is effectively already Ferrari’s number 2 driver. The Spaniard has struggled more than teammate Charles Leclerc with the highly competitive 2022 car, and as a result is already 51 points behind the championship leader heading into his home race in Barcelona. “In the past I have […]
Alonso questions Alpine’s ‘new rear wing’ claim
May 20 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has questioned the accuracy of his boss’ recent claim that a “new rear wing” this weekend in Barcelona will give Alpine “a bit more performance”. According to El Mundo Deportivo newspaper, new Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer said in Miami that the Renault-owned team was planning to “introduce a new rear […]
Max’s father not worried about Ferrari argument
May 20 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s father and co-manager is not concerned that the Red Bull versus Ferrari title battle will spiral out of control. Last year, the ultra-intense confrontation between reigning world champion Max and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton descended into an unseemly head-to-head scrap both on and off the track. And in recent weeks, Red […]
‘Queue of drivers’ to replace Schumacher – boss
May 20 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has been tasked with upping his game in order to keep his place in Formula 1. Some have accused Haas team boss Gunther Steiner of putting too much pressure on the 23-year-old son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, especially after he crashed in Miami whilst so close to his first […]
Marko backs Hamilton over F1 jewellery clampdown
May 20 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has found an unlikely ally in his battle with the FIA’s Mohammed Ben Sulayem over the new jewellery clampdown. The new FIA president says drivers like Hamilton, who are openly dissenting against having to remove body jewellery including rings and piercings, will have to comply or face hefty penalties. Perhaps […]
F1 cars heading in ‘wrong direction’ – Newey
May 20 (GMM) Formula 1 has headed in the “wrong direction” with the basic philosophy of the technical rules going forward. That is the view of Adrian Newey, the Red Bull technical boss who is widely regarded as one of the greatest designers in the history of the sport. “I think the principle of helping […]
New F1 cars bad for drivers’ health – Sainz
May 20 (GMM) Carlos Sainz claims Formula 1’s current technical regulations are bad for the health of the drivers. The Ferrari driver says he and some of his rivals are worried about the long-term effect severe ‘porpoising’ caused by the new ground effect cars will have on their bodies. “I don’t need expert advice to […]
Africa ‘most likely’ new F1 venue
May 19 (GMM) Africa could be Formula 1’s next new destination, even though the sport has decided not to replace the axed Russian GP this year. The New York Times claims a deal between former F1 host Kyalami, located near Johannesburg in South Africa, is “close to being completed”. “Johannesburg is definitely on our list,” […]