Jan.14 (GMM) Formula 1 has flatly denied suggestions the sweeping new rules for 2022 could be delayed yet another year. Last year, as the sport scrambled to cope with economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus shutdowns, the teams agreed to delay the planned introduction of sweeping new technical rules from 2021 to 2022. But with […]
Quarantine rule forced Melbourne postponement
Jan.13 (GMM) It was Australia’s 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement that triggered the postponement of the season opening grand prix in Melbourne. Although the tennis grand slam event in the same city is going ahead, state sports minister Martin Pakula said that is only because those international travellers – including all the players – will observe […]
Zandvoort not worried as 2021 calendar changes
Jan.13 (GMM) Dutch GP organisers remain confident they will be able to welcome spectators to Zandvoort’s first F1 race in the modern era in September. Jan Lammers, a former F1 driver who is now the Dutch GP’s sporting director, said the postponement of Melbourne and the demise of the race in Shanghai does not affect […]
Judge ‘suspends’ new Brazil GP contract
Jan.13 (GMM) A judge in Sao Paulo has thrown a spanner in the works of the new five-year deal between Formula 1 and the Interlagos circuit. According to Folha de S.Paulo, judge Emilio Migliano Neto “suspended” the contract between the city and the new promoter MC Brazil Motorsport Holding. The judge claims there was not […]
Sainz heads to Italy for Ferrari test
Jan.13 (GMM) Carlos Sainz is en route to Maranello, where he is tipped to get his first taste of life at the wheel of a Ferrari with a test in the 2019 car. The Spaniard told his fans on social media that “after a short time off, it’s time to get back to work”. “Travelling […]
Imola hopes spectators can attend April race
Jan.13 (GMM) Imola has beaten Portimao to the first revised race calendar for 2021, as Formula 1 confirms that Melbourne and Shanghai will not take place as scheduled. With the global covid crisis continuing to rage, Formula 1 announced that the first race of the season will now be in Bahrain. It is understood the […]
Wolff ‘not worried’ about Hamilton contract rumours
Jan.12 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he is “not worried” about rumours surrounding the future of new seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The British driver’s last contract expired at the end of 2020, meaning he is currently a free agent amid speculation Mercedes is balking at his demands for a new deal. Rumours suggest the […]
Magnussen eyes prime Le Mans seat for 2022
Jan.12 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen could be heading to Le Mans in 2022. After losing his place in Formula 1, the Dane is embarking on a sports car adventure in the United States this year, starting with Daytona in January with the famous Chip Ganassi outfit. But according to Auto Hebdo, the 28-year-old could re-cross the […]
F1 adding Imola to ‘plan B’ 2021 calendar
Jan.12 (GMM) Imola is set to announce that it will once again return to Formula 1’s covid-affected calendar. When scheduled grands prix were cancelled or postponed in 2020, circuits including Imola, Portimao, Mugello and Istanbul were called up to fill the gaps. Now, with Melbourne and Shanghai set to be postponed in 2021, Monaco likely […]
Sainz’s father not worried about Leclerc pairing
Jan.12 (GMM) Carlos Sainz’s famous father is not worried his son will clash with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari this year. Sainz jr is moving from McLaren to Ferrari for 2021 to replace Sebastian Vettel, with many predicting it will now be the Spaniard serving as Leclerc’s number 2. Team boss Mattia Binotto has denied there […]
Hamilton more dominant than Schumacher – Todt
Jan.12 (GMM) Mercedes is more dominant today than Ferrari was at the height of the Michael Schumacher era. That is the view of FIA president Jean Todt, who presided over Schumacher’s five consecutive world championships between 2000 and 2004 as team boss. When asked to compare that success with Lewis Hamilton’s reign of today, Todt […]
F1 denies secret covid vaccination plan
Jan.12 (GMM) Formula 1 has denied claims the sport is working on a secret plan to vaccinate every member of the travelling circus in 2021. With the published 2021 calendar already at risk amid reports Melbourne, Shanghai and other races will be postponed, the Swiss newspaper Blick claimed F1 was working on a plan to […]
Alonso can win third F1 title – de la Rosa
Jan.11 (GMM) Fernando Alonso can add a third title to his tally on his return to Formula 1. That is the view of Pedro de la Rosa, a fellow Spaniard who worked with Alonso at both McLaren and Ferrari. After a two-year sabbatical, 39-year-old Alonso is now returning to F1 with Alpine in 2021. “Fernando […]
Covid era changed little for Raikkonen
Jan.11 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says the covid era has changed little for him in Formula 1. Told that he must be happy that fewer journalists are now in the F1 paddock due to restrictions, the 41-year-old said: “I didn’t know that. “The amount of work hasn’t changed for me. I used to talk to the […]
‘No doubts’ about Ferrari move – Sainz
Jan.11 (GMM) Most drivers in Formula 1 would have jumped at the opportunity to sign for Ferrari, according to Carlos Sainz. Given the Maranello team’s performance slump in 2020, many have wondered if the Spaniard is now regretting his decision to leave McLaren in order to wear red. “If you had asked me that in […]
Scheduled China GP race date ‘highly unlikely’
Jan.11 (GMM) Organisers of the Chinese GP admit it is “highly unlikely” the Shanghai event can take place as scheduled on 11 April. We have reported that with Melbourne’s season opener set to be postponed amid the ongoing covid crisis, the same is true for China. “We are in contact with the leadership of Formula […]
‘No reason to question’ Bottas performance
Jan.11 (GMM) There is “no reason to question” Valtteri Bottas’ place at Mercedes, boss Toto Wolff insists. Speculation the Finn might be ousted accelerated when he was out-shone by Lewis Hamilton’s substitute George Russell in Bahrain. Even seven time world champion Hamilton has told GP Racing magazine that Russell’s recent performances reminded him of what […]
Ferrari academy drivers ‘all had money’ – Villeneuve
Jan.11 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve says members of Ferrari’s driver development program would succeed even without the backing of the Maranello-based ‘academy’. The 1997 world champion says the notable exception is Charles Leclerc. “Except Leclerc, the rest of the academy drivers all had money in their pockets before getting there,” he told Sky Italia. Current high-profile […]
Verstappen predicts big Mick Schumacher ‘hype’
Jan.11 (GMM) It will be more difficult for Mick Schumacher to enter Formula 1 than it was for Max Verstappen – another son of a famous former driver. Speaking with f1-insider.com, Red Bull driver Verstappen said he has known Mick since the pair were toddlers, when Michael Schumacher and Jos Verstappen got together on spare […]
Jos Verstappen says Red Bull ‘maybe worse than Ferrari’
Jan.11 (GMM) Jos Verstappen admits that his son Max will probably never share a team with Lewis Hamilton – but he “wouldn’t mind” if it does happen. “I would only applaud that. Then it will be clear, wouldn’t it?” said the former F1 driver. Indeed, Verstappen senior says his 23-year-old son is more than ready […]