Jul.1 (GMM) A maximum crowd of 60,000 can gather for the second race in Austria this weekend. Last weekend, local covid restrictions capped the spectator numbers at just 15,000. However, many of those restrictions are now easing. “The Dutch people are coming and they will give Verstappen a second per lap,” beamed Dr Helmut Marko, […]
Alonso reveals 2021 comeback talks with Red Bull
Jul.1 (GMM) A rule to spice up the show is only likely to widen the performance gap between the faster and quicker cars this weekend. That is the warning of F1 veteran Fernando Alonso, referring to the softer allocation of tyres in Austria this weekend coupled with the existing rule requiring the top-10 drivers to […]
McLaren ‘need’ Ricciardo to score more points
Jul.1 (GMM) McLaren is turning up the heat on struggling team newcomer Daniel Ricciardo. Although earlier renowned as one of the best drivers in Formula 1, the 31-year-old Australian has notably struggled since joining impressive younger teammate Lando Norris this year at McLaren. The team is currently locked in a close battle with Ferrari to […]
‘Distractions’ hurting Mercedes in 2021 – Binotto
Jul.1 (GMM) Mercedes has fallen behind because of “distractions” rather than the improvement of title rival Red Bull’s Honda engines. That is the view of Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto, who rejects Mercedes’ argument that the newly-fitted Honda specification took a major leap forward at Paul Ricard. “Our GPS data shows that the performance of […]
Three teams could skip practice sessions
Jul.1 (GMM) Three teams are warning they could sit out practice sessions as a result of the new ‘sprint qualifying’ trial that is set to debut at the British GP. Due to the format change, parce ferme conditions will be pushed forward to Friday – and some teams are warning that their cars’ clutches will […]
Only ‘details’ left in Hamilton talks – Wolff
Jun.30 (GMM) Toto Wolff is confident he will soon reach a deal to keep Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes beyond 2021. Media reports in the past days have suggested that the Mercedes chief is targeting a conclusion to the talks and announcement of a new two-year deal around the August break. Wolff told Osterreich newspaper this […]
‘Great’ to see Mercedes under ‘big pressure’ – Wurz
Jun.30 (GMM) Alex Wurz says it’s “great” that F1’s formerly dominant Mercedes team is finding itself under intense pressure in 2021. With Max Verstappen now leading the standings by 18 points, Red Bull has clearly raced ahead in the development race – with Toto Wolff insisting efforts to add upgrades to the 2021 Mercedes have […]
Allison contradicts Wolff over 2021 upgrade plans
Jun.30 (GMM) Mercedes’ technical chief has contradicted boss Toto Wolff’s claims that the reigning champions will not put “another minute of development” into the 2021 car. In Austria last weekend, it became clear that the tide has definitely turned in Formula 1 as Red Bull’s championship leader Max Verstappen dominantly won. Afterwards, Lewis Hamilton called […]
Alfa Romeo not sure if Raikkonen staying in 2022
Jun.30 (GMM) Alfa Romeo’s engineering boss isn’t sure if 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will continue to race for the Swiss based Formula 1 team beyond 2021. Raikkonen, 41, is the oldest and most experienced driver on the grid, and until 2021 generally had the edge over his teammate Antonio Giovinazzi. But in 2021, the […]
F1 figures slam Verstappen ‘burnout’ ban
Jun.29 (GMM) Three Formula 1 personalities have slammed the sport’s governing body for clamping down on the type of chequered flag ‘burnout’ indulged by Max Verstappen last Sunday. To the chagrin of former Bridgestone engineer Kees van der Grint, race director Michael Masi said moves like that “will not be tolerated” from the championship leader […]
Schumacher linked with move to Alfa Romeo
Jun.29 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is being linked with a potential move to Alfa Romeo for 2022. According to Jos Verstappen, who became friends with the family after serving as Michael Schumacher’s Benetton teammate in the 90s, 22-year-old Mick is performing well in his rookie season for Haas. “Mick is doing a good job with a […]
Mercedes not coping with ‘unusual situation’ – Marko
Jun.29 (GMM) Mercedes is not coping with the “unusual situation” of no longer utterly dominating Formula 1. That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, whose Austrian countryman and Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff confirmed paddock claims that the pair do not get along. “The relationship is quite correct,” Mercedes chief Wolff confirmed to Osterreich newspaper. […]
Berger ‘becoming a fan’ of F1 once again
Jun.29 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger, who was intimately involved in Formula 1 for decades, says he is “becoming a fan” once again. “This is the best Formula 1 we’ve seen in a long time. I’m slowly becoming a fan again,” he told Servus TV. Berger is currently in charge of the German series DTM, […]
Audi, Porsche chiefs to attend F1 engine meeting
Jun.29 (GMM) Two men named Markus Duesmann and Oliver Blume will meet with the big-wigs of Formula 1 this weekend at the Red Bull Ring. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the sport is now hashing out the details of the new engine regulations for 2025 and beyond, beginning with a big meeting of the […]
Technical directives linked to title battle – Masi
Jun.28 (GMM) The spate of so-called ‘technical directives’ in recent days and weeks is directly related to the battle for the 2021 world championship. So far in 2021, the FIA has issued a range of directives relating to wing flexibility, tyre pressures and pitstop speed, and it seems that the trend is being powered by […]
Second race in Austria makes little ‘sense’ – Alonso
Jun.28 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has questioned the “sense” of staging a second consecutive race at the Red Bull Ring this weekend. While many races this year were close and exciting, Sunday’s event in Austria was clearly dominated by Red Bull’s championship leader Max Verstappen. And Alonso, the highly experienced two-time champion, thinks Formula 1 fans […]
Stewards not moved by ‘doomsday’ complaints – Masi
Jun.28 (GMM) F1 race director Michael Masi has played down claims that the stewards are being influenced by “doomsday” complaints about on-track incidents made by rival teams. Valtteri Bottas was severely punished for accidentally spinning in the pitlane during practice in Austria last weekend, with McLaren’s radio complaint to Masi aired publicly on TV. The […]
F1 warns Verstappen against celebratory ‘burnouts’
Jun.28 (GMM) F1’s governing body has warned Red Bull to advise championship leader Max Verstappen about celebratory ‘burnouts’ at the chequered flag. On Sunday, having utterly dominated the first of two back-to-back races at Red Bull’s own Austrian GP circuit, the championship leader slowed to a crawl in front of his teammates and crossed the […]
Wolff defends Vettel for voting ‘green’
Jun.28 (GMM) Toto Wolff has leapt to Sebastian Vettel’s defence, after the quadruple world champion waded into the world of politics. The Aston Martin driver recently gave an interview to Der Spiegel in which he revealed that he has embraced solar power, electric cars and filtered tap water. “Yes, I will vote Green,” the 33-year-old […]
Verstappen could be even more dominant – Marko
Jun.28 (GMM) Max Verstappen could be even more dominant as Red Bull’s own Formula 1 circuit hosts yet another grand prix this weekend. On Sunday, the Dutchman extended his championship lead over Lewis Hamilton to 18 points, as Mercedes admits that Red Bull has pulled ahead in the development race. “I don’t worry about everything […]