Dec.3 (GMM) Honda logos may still feature on Red Bull’s cars next year, a spokesman for the Japanese engine manufacturer admitted in Saudi Arabia. Officially, next Sunday’s 2021 finale – in which Max Verstappen could be crowned champion – is Honda’s last grand prix before pulling out of the sport. However, to support Red Bull […]
No ‘special emotions’ as longest F1 career ends
Dec.3 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he feels no special emotions except perhaps impatience as his longest-ever Formula 1 career finally draws to a close next Sunday. The 42-year-old is also the oldest active driver on the grid, having won the title in 2007 and 21 grands prix victories for top teams including McLaren and Ferrari. […]
Verstappen ‘like Tyson Fury’ amid Hamilton pressure
Dec.3 (GMM) Max Verstappen “doesn’t give a f***” about efforts to destabilise his effort to win the 2021 world championship. That is the view of the Dutchman’s Red Bull boss Christian Horner, as arch rival Lewis Hamilton touched down in Saudi Arabia and pointed out the “egos” involved in the title battle. “There is defence, […]
Bottas almost quit F1 amid mental struggles
Dec.2 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has admitted he found himself in a deep psychological hole early in his Formula 1 career. The 32-year-old Finn, whose five year stint at Mercedes comes to an end this month, revealed that he became depressed just one year into his career in 2014. “I was getting on a flight and […]
2021 world championship crash ‘can happen’ – Ecclestone
Dec.2 (GMM) Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone admits a championship-deciding crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is a real possibility over the next week and a half. “Sure it can happen,” said the 90-year-old. “We’ve waited a long time for a duel like this. “It’s why the fans watch Formula 1,” Ecclestone told RTL. […]
Psychological edge is with Verstappen – Schumacher
Dec.2 (GMM) Max Verstappen may have the psychological edge as his championship battle with Lewis Hamilton enters its decisive final double-header of 2021. That is the view of former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, who thinks seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton is actually the one under the greater pressure. “At the end of the day, […]
No fresh Honda ‘rocket’ for Verstappen in Saudi
Dec.2 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has played down reports Max Verstappen may benefit from his own “rocket” engine this weekend in Saudi Arabia. Off the back of news that championship challenger Lewis Hamilton’s fresh power unit in Brazil will now return for the final Saudi-Abu Dhabi double header, rumours did the rounds that Honda is […]
Giovinazzi ‘confused’ after first Formula E test
Dec.1 (GMM) As he switches from Formula 1 to the all-electric series Formula E, Antonio Giovinazzi admits his learning curve will be steep. Although he will round out his F1 career for Alfa Romeo in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi over the next fortnight, the Italian got his first taste of life in his Dragon-Penske […]
VW entry could re-ignite push for German GP – Domenicali
Dec.1 (GMM) Formula 1 may introduce a race rotation scheme in order to sign more deals with grand prix hosts. Already at 23 scheduled races for 2022, Formula 1 teams argue that the calendar is now at bursting point. But one way around that is to sign more race deals on the basis of a […]
Marko plays down Verstappen’s early title chances
Dec.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has brushed away any suggestion that Max Verstappen could be crowned world champion this weekend in Saudi Arabia. Red Bull’s Dutch driver is 8 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton with just two races to run, but Mercedes is widely expected to keep its performance edge at the brand new Jeddah […]
Williams loved F1 ‘more than anything’ – Ecclestone
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 […]