Aug.20 (GMM) Dutch GP organisers have had to inform a third of the ticketed spectators for the forthcoming Formula 1 race at Zandvoort that they can no longer attend. With government authorities ruling that only two thirds of the sell-out 105,000-capacity audience may attend due to covid, race organisers devised a sort of ‘lottery’ scheme […]
Hamilton-Verstappen clash just ‘racing’ – Todt
Aug.12 (GMM) Jean Todt says the clash between title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen recently was just “racing”. And the FIA president revealed that he told that to Red Bull boss Christian Horner personally, following Verstappen’s brief hospitalisation following the 51G impact at flat-out Copse corner. “I told Christian Horner that I was sorry […]
Alonso praise ‘means a lot to me’ – Russell
Aug.12 (GMM) George Russell says recent praise from F1 legend and rival Fernando Alonso “means a lot to me”. Amid ongoing speculation that Russell is set to be promoted from Williams to Mercedes for 2022, two-time champion Alonso said the 23-year-old’s driving in the lower half of the grid has been “impressive”. “We know that […]
Schumacher, Giovinazzi, set to stay put for 2022
Aug.11 (GMM) Ferrari is in talks with Haas about keeping Mick Schumacher at the small American team for 2022. There have been rumours suggesting the 22-year-old rookie, and son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, could be heading to another Ferrari-powered team for 2022 – Alfa Romeo. But Haas boss Gunther Steiner has sounded confident about […]
Dutch GP boss tells fans not to boo Hamilton
Aug.11 (GMM) Jan Lammers says Dutch fans should refrain from booing Lewis Hamilton once Formula 1 touches down at Zandvoort early next month. In Hungary, a race attended by many of Max Verstappen’s Dutch fans, the crowd registered its displeasure with Hamilton by booing and jeering his pole position. Lammers, a Dutch former F1 driver […]
Schumacher fighting accident ‘consequences’ – Todt
Aug.11 (GMM) Michael Schumacher “survived” but suffered “consequences” as a result of his 2013 skiing accident, FIA president Jean Todt has confirmed. It is widely believed – but has never been publicly confirmed – that the seven time world champion is permanently brain damaged as a result of the incident of almost eight years ago. […]
Top Alpine engineer could be Red Bull-bound
Aug.11 (GMM) Renault-owned Alpine has confirmed the departure of long-time top engineer Remi Taffin. The Frenchman, who has been with the French manufacturer for over 20 years, was head of the Formula 1 engine program. It is rumoured he could now be bound for Red Bull’s new powertrains division, and is understood to already be […]
Ferrari to launch 2022 engine parts this season
Aug.11 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has confirmed reports that Ferrari will launch several components of its 2022 power unit later this season. Corriere della Sera newspaper this week claimed the Maranello team will run a completely revised engine next year – with parts of it to emerge in the final iteration of its 2021 engine. “The […]
Despite covid, Lammers expects ‘normal’ Dutch GP
Aug.10 (GMM) Jan Lammers remains “confident” Zandvoort will get a green light to welcome a full house of spectators to the Dutch GP early next month. On paper, a covid-shaped cloud is hanging over the event for the second year in succession, leaving race organisers waiting for a government announcement on Friday. “On August 13 […]
F1 must discuss penalty ‘appropriateness’
Aug.10 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko thinks Formula 1 needs to re-think its penalty system, after Sebastian Vettel was disqualified from the recent Hungarian GP. Aston Martin attempted to appeal the exclusion, arguing that the mandatory litre of fuel was indeed on-board even though scrutineers culd not extract it. But the FIA on Monday said Aston […]
2021 duel ‘not like Senna-Prost’ – Verstappen
Aug.10 (GMM) Max Verstappen has played down the parallels between his battle with Lewis Hamilton and the fierce and notorious Senna vs Prost saga of the past. “A fight like Senna and Prost had? That sounds good,” the Dutchman smiled to Bild newspaper. “But seriously, I don’t think about it too much,” Red Bull’s Verstappen […]
Ferrari ‘ready’ to aim for 2022 title – Sainz
Aug.10 (GMM) It is “only a matter of time” before Carlos Sainz delivers his full promise at Ferrari. That is the view of boss Mattia Binotto, who recently declared that Sainz’s arrival alongside Charles Leclerc in 2021 has given Ferrari the best driver lineup in Formula 1. However, the Spanish driver admits that 2021 is […]
Russell’s Mercedes move is ‘clear’ – Schumacher
Aug.10 (GMM) It is “clear” that George Russell is headed to Mercedes for 2022, according to former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher. That is despite the fact that 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve thinks Toto Wolff and Lawrence Stroll might be working on a shock alternative plan. According to Villeneuve, it could be Aston Martin […]
Up to Ricciardo to improve pace – Stella
Aug.10 (GMM) There is “nothing” McLaren can do to get Daniel Ricciardo fully up to speed in the 2021 team’s car. That is the admission of top team engineer Andrea Stella, amid rising criticism of Australian Ricciardo’s form alongside the decade-younger Lando Norris this season. “He admitted it himself after Monaco,” said Dutch racing legend […]
Renault opposed to four-cylinder F1 engine idea
Aug.9 (GMM) Renault has declared itself opposed to proposals to ditch the basic V6 architecture of Formula 1 engines for the new period after 2025-2026. Red Bull, who are taking over Honda’s engine operations from next year, are pushing for a “completely new engine” – reportedly in a potential bid to attract the backing of […]
2022 calendar could be released in September – CEO
Aug.9 (GMM) Although even the 2021 schedule remains in a state of flux, Stefano Domenicali says next year’s Formula 1 calendar will be announced in the coming weeks. Covid is still casting a shadow over forthcoming races such as Zandvoort, Turkey, Japan, Mexico and Brazil – but F1 CEO Domenicali is nonetheless working hard on […]
Raikkonen ‘still very motivated’ – Vasseur
Aug.9 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen should “make way” for a younger replacement, according to Dutch racing legend Tom Coronel. Coronel, 49, told the Dutch magazine Formule 1: “I think he’s bleeding to death. “Kimi is obviously good for the media side, but he doesn’t stand out anymore. And when that happens, you have to make way […]
Sochi close to half-capacity Russia GP sellout
Aug.9 (GMM) Organisers of the Russian GP are close to selling out tickets for the race at Sochi in late September. While dark covid-shaped clouds hang over some other venues scheduled to host races later in 2021, Sochi is pressing ahead with plans for a 50 percent capacity crowd. “This season, like last year, the […]
Marko slams ‘nonsense’ Honda engine rumours
Aug.9 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has slammed as “total nonsense” rumours that Honda was forced to turn down the engine power at recent races. As Mercedes clearly upped the pace in the 2021 title race against Red Bull, rumours circulated that the FIA may in fact have quietly clamped down on a rule loophole being […]
New paddock for Hungary in new F1 deal through 2037
Aug.6 (GMM) Hungary has secured its long-term future on the Formula 1 calendar. The country’s national innovation minister Laszlo Palkovics was at the Hungaroring last weekend for talks with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. Incredibly, although the race near Budapest already had a contract until 2032, that has now been extended for a further five years […]