Jul.6 (GMM) Some Formula 1 experts and pundits are wondering if it’s time Kimi Raikkonen hung up his helmet. Rumours suggest that Ferrari may be considering relocating Mick Schumacher from Haas to Alfa Romeo, presumably to replace 41-year-old Raikkonen from 2022. The Finn and 2007 world champion is the most experienced driver in F1 history, […]
New F1 engine rules set for one-year delay
Jul.6 (GMM) New engine regulations in Formula 1 could be postponed for a year. In Austria, top carmaker officials – including Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz and also the CEOs of Audi and Porsche – met to discuss the new rules that are scheduled to debut in 2025. Formula 1 described the talks as “very […]
Russell would ‘fight for wins’ at Mercedes – Alonso
Jul.6 (GMM) Fernando Alonso thinks “podiums” and “victories” are in George Russell’s Formula 1 future. The two-time champion admits he felt “a bit sad” about passing the Williams driver and depriving him of an invaluable point in Austria last Sunday. “Any driver except George,” 39-year-old Alonso admits to thinking when he pulled off the overtaking […]
F1 considering more ‘doubled up’ races in 2021
Jul.6 (GMM) Formula 1 is facing the prospect of having to ‘double up’ more races in 2021 in order to reach its desired schedule of 23 full grands prix. The sport raced on the same Red Bull Ring for the past two consecutive weekends, to compensate for the loss of some race hosts due to […]
Haas ‘not far’ from ending Schumacher rumours
Jul.5 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher isn’t sure if he would advise his nephew Mick to stay at Haas for 2022 or risk a move to another Ferrari-linked team. There are rumours that Ferrari may be wanting to push its junior driver up the Formula 1 grid by relocating him to Alfa Romeo for 2022. However, Ferrari […]
Catching Red Bull ‘almost impossible’ for Mercedes
Jul.5 (GMM) Max Verstappen insists he is still not even “dreaming” about becoming world champion in 2021. Red Bull’s new dominance of Formula 1 is a major moment for the sport, as the Dutch driver pulls out a 32 point lead over Lewis Hamilton with his pole, win and fastest lap in Austria on Sunday. […]
F1 world slams FIA over Norris penalty
Jul.5 (GMM) Formula 1 is rallying around Lando Norris, as the on-form McLaren driver risks having to serve a race ban. In Austria, the impressive 21-year-old finished third, splitting the two Mercedes. But it would actually have been second if he wasn’t penalised for an incident with Sergio Perez. The incident added more penalty points […]
Ricciardo won’t let 2021 situation ‘get me down’
Jul.4 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo is determined not to let his consistent and stark defeats to McLaren teammate Lando Norris “get me down”. The Australian headed into the Paul Ricard-Austria-Austria triple-header with high hopes that the consecutive action would end his struggle to get on terms with his decade-younger teammate. But while Norris sensationally missed pole […]
Alonso wants to stay in F1 for ‘many years’
Jul.4 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he can imagine staying in Formula 1 for “many years”. On the day that his former nemesis Lewis Hamilton inked a new two-year deal, 39-year-old Alonso said he is happy with his own form amid his F1 comeback and already looking beyond his 2022 contract. “I don’t have a clear […]
Covid showed importance of spectators – Ecclestone
Jul.4 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has hailed the return of spectators to Formula 1. Although a smattering of spectators have often been present in the grandstands since the covid crisis exploded, this weekend’s race in Austria is the first time a mass crowd has gathered. “The fans are cool here – everyone in orange, supporting McLaren […]
Verstappen in ‘league of his own’ – Wolff
Jul.4 (GMM) Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton are talking up championship rival Max Verstappen’s chances of strolling to victory in Austria on Sunday. The two Mercedes cars were not only beaten by their Red Bull counterparts in qualifying, Mercedes customer McLaren’s Lando Norris almost pipped championship leader Verstappen to pole. “All these comments about the […]
Hamilton not confirming Wolff retirement talks
Jul.4 (GMM) It appears that Lewis Hamilton has given his annual retainer a boost, having signed to remain at Mercedes for 2022 and 2023. Bild am Sonntag newspaper reports that, having agreed a pay-cut for the eye of the covid storm in 2020, Hamilton’s pay will now be back up to EUR 35 million per […]
Bottas set to explore non-Mercedes ‘options’
Jul.4 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he will explore “other options” if Mercedes decides to oust him for 2022 and beyond. On Saturday, the reigning champions announced that Lewis Hamilton has signed a new contract for 2022 and 2023, reportedly on the full financial terms of his pre-covid deals. Bottas’ future, however, remains in the balance. […]
All 23 races ‘still the plan’ in 2021 – Domenicali
Jul.3 (GMM) Formula 1 is pushing ahead with its 23-race calendar, even though question marks are hovering over several scheduled events after the August break. “That is still the plan,” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told Speed Week in Austria. “The fact that we can find replacements for races that cannot happen shows how well Formula […]
Norris admits Ricciardo relations ‘different’
Jul.3 (GMM) Lando Norris says his relationship with new McLaren teammate Daniel Ricciardo is “completely different”. He was asked to compare the difference in relations with Ricciardo, who is over a decade older than 21-year-old Norris, and his former teammate Carlos Sainz. “Daniel and I get along well,” Norris insisted. “We laugh a lot and […]
Red Bull wants FIA to scrap pitstop clampdown
Jul.3 (GMM) Red Bull is working hard behind the scenes to overturn the FIA’s incoming pitstop speed clampdown. It recently emerged that complaints had been lodged about the super-human speed of Red Bull’s pitstop process, prompting the FIA to react. “We worked for years to get this lead,” a still-furious Dr Helmut Marko told motorsport-magazin.com […]
Aston Martin set to brighten dull green livery
Jul.3 (GMM) Aston Martin admits it needs to improve the colour of its Formula 1 cars. A week ago, major sponsor BWT’s boss Andreas Weissenbacher admitted he is trying to convince the Silverstone based team to revert to a pink livery. “From a historical perspective, the British racing green is certainly understandable to many, but […]
Honda to produce first ‘Red Bull’ engine in 2022
Jul.3 (GMM) The first works ‘Red Bull’ engine next year will actually be produced by Honda in Japan. With Honda pulling out of Formula 1 at the end of the year, Red Bull is taking over the IP and setting up Red Bull Powertrains in Milton Keynes. However, 2022 will be a “transition” year, according […]
Alonso not ruling out return to Indy 500
Jul.3 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he has not given up on his dream of winning the Indy 500. Before leaving Formula 1, the two-time champion sat out the 2017 Monaco GP to make his Indy 500 debut, performing well but retiring with engine trouble. During his F1 sabbatical, he then failed to qualify in 2019 […]
Mazepin ‘pretty lost’ with 2021 Haas setup
Jul.3 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin admits he is “pretty lost” when it comes to setting up his 2021 Haas car. The Russian rookie has already hit out at the extra weight of his chassis compared with teammate Mick Schumacher’s. Amid rumours of a rift between Gunther Steiner and Mazepin’s wealthy father and team title sponsor, the […]