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. […]
Helping Verstappen win title ‘part of the game’ – Perez
Nov.25 (GMM) Sergio Perez has pledged to keep fighting to help his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen win the 2021 title. While questions are being asked about the Alfa Romeo-bound Valtteri Bottas’ ongoing support for Lewis Hamilton’s championship charge, Perez is all signed up for 2022 and determined to assist. “Max is the driver of […]
Hamilton ‘cautious’ for Verstappen title showdown
Nov.25 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he will be “more cautious than ever before” when dicing wheel-to-wheel with championship rival Max Verstappen in the last and decisive two grands prix of 2021. It has been a near-unprecedentedly tense title battle so far, with the pair separated by just 8 points but chaser Hamilton with the apparent […]
Marko not as worried about Hamilton’s ‘rocket’ engine
Nov.25 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko doubts Lewis Hamilton will get such a benefit from his “rocket” engine in Saudi Arabia next weekend. The Mercedes driver took a grid penalty hit to install the fresh engine in Brazil, going on to actually win the race with up to a 30kph straightline speed advantage. Dubbed a “rocket” […]
Not being afraid of covid ‘strange’ – Hamilton
Nov.25 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says it’s “strange” to him that some athletes are now putting the covid crisis firmly behind them. 20 months after the pandemic struck, and now well into the mass vaccination campaign across the world, some covid restrictions are finally beginning to ease in Formula 1. Seven time world champion Hamilton, however, […]
Pourchaire still in running for F1 future – Vasseur
Nov.24 (GMM) Theo Pourchaire will continue his journey towards Formula 1 in 2022, Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur has revealed. After the Swiss-based team confirmed that Guanyu Zhou will be replacing Antonio Giovinazzi next year, Vasseur’s young protege and fellow Frenchman Pourchaire admitted he was “obviously disappointed”. “Even if I am told all day […]
Qatar GP may relocate to capital city Doha
Nov.24 (GMM) Qatar’s plan may be to relocate its grand prix from the MotoGP venue in Losail to the capital city in Doha. While there were some grumbles about the aggressive and damaging kerbs, Formula 1 drivers generally enjoyed the high-speed venue last weekend. “The track is amazing to drive,” seven time world champion Lewis […]
Podium with title chargers felt ‘strange’ – Alonso
Nov.24 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has revealed the “strange” experience of sharing his first Formula 1 podium in seven years with warring title challengers Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. For years, fans and insiders had not seen the Spaniard, now 40, appearing so obviously joyful about a race result, with Qatar marking the end of a […]
Government says yes to new Spanish GP contract
Nov.24 (GMM) Barcelona has taken one more step towards securing a new deal to keep hosting the Spanish GP. Last month, Formula 1 unveiled its calendar for 2022 showing the Circuit de Catalunya as only having a race date that is “subject to contract”. Spanish media, including El Mundo Deportivo, now report that the local […]
Lauda’s son slams ‘childish’ F1 bosses
Nov.24 (GMM) Niki Lauda’s racing driver son Mathias has hit out at “childish” team bosses in Formula 1. He is referring to Christian Horner and Toto Wolff, the warring team principals at championship-battling teams Red Bull and Mercedes respectively. Horner, for example, was chided by F1 race director Michael Masi in Qatar for criticising a […]
Drivers deny issue ‘clear’ after Verstappen move
Nov.24 (GMM) Formula 1 drivers have hit back at suggestions it is now “clear” how the FIA will issue penalties for overly aggressive racing tactics. It was a hot topic in a lengthy pre-race driver briefing in Qatar, after Max Verstappen escaped penalty despite running championship rival Lewis Hamilton wide and off the track a […]