Jul.3 (GMM) Robert Kubica’s sponsor Orlen is keen to keep racing in Formula 1. When the Polish driver left Williams at the end of 2019, Kubica became reserve driver at Alfa Romeo and took his personal backer PKN Orlen with him. Today, Orlen is still the most prominent brand on the 2021 car, and the […]
Raikkonen has ‘no plan yet’ for 2022
Jul.3 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has backed his team’s claim that he isn’t sure if he will still be in Formula 1 next year. Rumours are swirling that Ferrari may be looking to relocate Mick Schumacher from Haas to the other Ferrari-powered customer team for 2022 – Alfa Romeo. When asked about the status of 41-year-old […]
Wolff admits new Mercedes parts coming
Jul.3 (GMM) Toto Wolff has finally admitted that Mercedes’ development efforts for the 2021 car have not stopped completely. The team boss caused a stir a week ago by insisting that despite Max Verstappen’s dominance, Mercedes will not spend “another minute” trying to develop the current car at Brackley. However, his technical chief James Allison […]
Honda turned down engines on Friday – Wolff
Jul.3 (GMM) Mercedes has admitted that Red Bull continues to set the pace in Austria. That is despite the fact that, notwithstanding championship leader Max Verstappen’s dominance just a week ago, it was actually the two black cars in the lead after Friday practice. “Honda turned the power down more than we did,” admitted Mercedes […]
Wife reveals Zanardi unable to speak
Jul.2 (GMM) Alex Zanardi has still not regained the ability to speak, the former Formula 1 driver’s wife Daniela has revealed. At the end of April, 54-year-old Zanardi’s son Niccolo told an Italian newspaper that his father is “conscious” and “gradually getting better” after his collision with a truck during a hand cycling race a […]
Schumacher to consider 2022 move in ‘weeks’
Jul.2 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is refusing to commit to staying at Haas for 2022. Boss Gunther Steiner has been clear that the team’s plan for this season was to make do with a modified version of the 2020 car whilst giving Haas’ all-rookie driver lineup experience and preparing a faster new car for 2022. However, […]
Alonso backs Verstappen over ‘burnout’ ban
Jul.2 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has backed Max Verstappen after the FIA rebuked the championship leader for performing a chequered flag ‘burnout’ after last Sunday’s race in Austria. “I like it when the drivers are allowed to be themselves,” said the two-time champion. “The fans like it too, which you can see by looking at the […]
FIA ends risk of teams skipping practice
Jul.2 (GMM) F1’s governing body has neutralised a risk that up to three teams could have sat out practice sessions ahead of the British GP. After Sunday’s race in Austria, Formula 1 moves onto Silverstone – where the trial of the new ‘sprint qualifying’ weekend format will begin. But Aston Martin, Alpine and McLaren had […]
2022 Ferrari ‘very different’ in simulator – Leclerc
Jul.2 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says Ferrari’s all-new car for 2022 “feels very different”. He was speaking in Austria, having recently tried a virtual version of next year’s red car in the Ferrari simulator at Maranello. “It feels very different. It’s a very different project,” said the Monaco-born driver. Ferrari was one of the first teams […]
Vettel plays down role in poaching staff
Jul.2 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has played down his role in wooing yet another senior Red Bull chief to Aston Martin. Just a week ago, the rapidly-expanding Aston Martin announced that Red Bull’s aerodynamics boss Dan Fallows has signed up for the future. And now, Andrew Alessi – who also worked with Vettel in the past […]
Haas admits Mazepin’s car heavier than Schumacher’s
Jul.2 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin says he is driving a heavier car than the one raced more successfully by his high-profile teammate Mick Schumacher. “I wouldn’t say it’s unacceptable, it just complicates my job,” said the Russian rookie, whose Formula 1 debut this year has been tumultuous so far. “It does have quite a big impact […]
Mercedes still working on 2021 car – Bottas
Jul.2 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has admitted that Mercedes is still working on developments for its 2021 car. His title-contending teammate Lewis Hamilton has now returned to Austria after a rare intensive session in the team simulator for the seven time world champion. “I can’t say that I’ve enjoyed it, particularly after these few difficult races […]
Ecclestone backs Alfa Romeo move for Schumacher
Jul.1 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has backed Mick Schumacher’s potential move to Alfa Romeo for 2022. Earlier this week, we reported rumours that the Ferrari-backed rookie might switch from uncompetitive Haas to the other Ferrari-powered satellite team next year. “I don’t really think about what will happen next year,” Schumacher was quoted as saying. “Let’s see […]
‘Loyal helper’ Bottas deserves seat – Ecclestone
Jul.1 (GMM) James Allison thinks Valtteri Bottas “deserves” his seat at Mercedes. Mercedes’ technical director, who is stepping into a less intense role from this month, this week contradicted Toto Wolff’s claim that the 2021 car will no longer be developed. Now, he Allison has thrown another spanner in the works regarding speculation that Bottas, […]
Hamilton ‘no longer the best’ in F1 – Ecclestone
Jul.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is no longer clearly the best driver in Formula 1. That is the view of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who thinks Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has the ability and the car to win the title in 2021. “He is talented, fast, but he also needs a bit of luck,” the […]
Honda doubts Mercedes has stopped developing car
Jul.1 (GMM) Two more leading Red Bull-Honda chiefs have rubbished Toto Wolff’s claim that Mercedes will not spend another “minute” developing the 2021 car. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has already insisted he “can’t imagine” that Mercedes won’t bring a single new part to the title battle this year. Dr Helmut Marko also doesn’t […]
Ecclestone helped Vettel ‘to be happy again’
Jul.1 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone admits he helped Sebastian Vettel to secure his place in Formula 1 with Aston Martin this year. Despite a slow start for the quadruple world champion in 2021, the former Racing Point team appears to now be enjoying its collaboration with Vettel. “Sebastian has enhanced the way we do things,” team […]
Mazepin ‘less experienced’ than other rookies – Salo
Jul.1 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin could be struggling in 2021 due to a simple lack of experience. That is the view of former F1 driver and current FIA steward Mika Salo, commenting on the fact that the Russian’s fellow 22-year-old rookie teammate Mick Schumacher has led the way at Haas this year. “Mazepin has so much […]
More candidates may run for FIA president – Todt
Jul.1 (GMM) Outgoing FIA president Jean Todt insists he is not picking a side as two candidates line up to succeed him. Graham Stoker and Mohammed Ben Sulayem have stepped forward as the only candidates so far vying to take over from 75-year-old Frenchman Todt at the end of the year. “I know there are […]
Perez handling one-year contract ‘pressure’
Jul.1 (GMM) Sergio Perez says he can handle the “pressure” of his expiring one-year contract. After an early struggle, the 31-year-old Mexican is now performing well alongside championship leader Max Verstappen at Red Bull. It has triggered speculation he is set to be retained for another season. “A driver always does his best, whether he […]