Jun.20 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda continues to be “impetuous” and “stubborn”, according to Red Bull F1 supremo Dr Helmut Marko. The diminutive Japanese rookie has already attracted Marko’s notorious ire in 2021, and so the 21-year-old was relocated from the UK to Italy to be under Franz Tost’s strict tutelage. “The move to Italy was the […]
Todt ‘not a big fan’ of sprint qualifying
Jun.20 (GMM) FIA president Jean Todt admits he is “not a big fan” of the new sprint qualifying format. The short Saturday sprint race, which will determine the grid for Sunday’s grand prix, will make its debut at Silverstone next month as part of a three-event trial in 2021. F1 managing director Ross Brawn, however, […]
Schumacher enjoying media’s ‘puppy protection’
Jun.20 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is enjoying “puppy protection” by the Formula 1 media, according to former F1 driver Nick Heidfeld. Heidfeld, a fellow German, thinks the son of his former contemporary Michael Schumacher is “doing his job well so far” since debuting in 2021. “We can never forget what kind of scrutiny he is under,” […]
Hamilton slams Bottas chassis swap ‘myth’
Jun.20 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has slammed claims there is something fundamentally wrong with his chassis at Paul Ricard as a “myth”. After Baku, where Valtteri Bottas struggled so badly, it emerged that he had been assigned a new chassis for France – the one previously used by Hamilton. However, Hamilton then kicked off the Paul […]
New Williams boss ‘knows how to succeed’
Jun.19 (GMM) Jost Capito says “nothing has changed” at Williams despite the fact that he has been named the famous British team’s new boss. Late last year, in the wake of the departure of Claire and her team-founding father Sir Frank Williams, Volkswagen’s former motor racing chief was signed up to be the new Williams […]
Mercedes not ruling out chassis problem
Jun.19 (GMM) Mercedes has a “brand new” chassis in the luggage in the event that Lewis Hamilton rejected the car he was assigned for the French GP. Although the team insists the swap was always scheduled, Valtteri Bottas – already surrounded by speculation about his future – is this weekend at the wheel of the […]
Spectators highlight ‘step’ out of covid crisis – Todt
Jun.19 (GMM) Formula 1 is inching towards a return to normal amid the ongoing but potentially easing covid crisis, according to FIA president Jean Todt. With his latest term as head of F1’s governing body ending late this year, the 75-year-old is committed to enjoying a quieter life from 2022 onwards. “Above all, I will […]
F1 eyes six ‘sprint qualifying’ races in 2022
Jun.19 (GMM) Formula 1 is looking to organise as many as six ‘sprint qualifying’ races in 2022. This year, the new format is being trialled over three race weekends, with Silverstone hoping to welcome 140,000 spectators to witness the debut of the spectacle on British GP qualifying day next month. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali envisages […]
Mercedes will not interfere with Ocon deal – Rossi
Jun.19 (GMM) Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi has backed Esteban Ocon’s claim that Mercedes will not interfere with his career at least for the next three years. The Renault-owned team has signed a new long-term contract with the Frenchman, despite the fact that Ocon remains managed by Mercedes and Toto Wolff. “There is no reference to […]
Mercedes engine strategy surprises Red Bull
Jun.19 (GMM) Officials at Red Bull are scratching their heads about title rival Mercedes’ engine usage strategy in 2021. At Paul Ricard, championship leader Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez finally had new Honda engines installed for the seventh race of the season. Mercedes, though, fitted new engines at Baku. “We’ve never seen anything like that […]
Ferrari has ‘maximum focus’ on 2022 car
Jun.19 (GMM) Ferrari is now putting “maximum focus” on designing an all-new car for 2022. The Maranello team has a modified front wing this weekend at Paul Ricard, but according to acting team boss Laurent Mekies, that will basically be the last development of 2021. “We have made our decision,” he said in France. “Maximum […]
F1 has ‘big problem’ if under-fire Pirelli quits
Jun.19 (GMM) An active Formula 1 team manager has warned that the sport will have a “big problem” if Pirelli walks away. At Paul Ricard, the dominant topic of conversation is the safety of the current tyres, after Pirelli effectively blamed Red Bull and Aston Martin for their respective high-speed Baku blowouts. “I wish tyres […]
Ocon retains Mercedes link despite Alpine deal
Jun.18 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he remains linked with Mercedes, even though he has just signed a new three-year contract extension with Renault-owned Alpine. The Frenchman has been a Mercedes junior for years, with Toto Wolff still heavily involved in the management of his career. And although he will be an Alpine driver “through and […]
Mazepin apologised but ‘not to blame’
Jun.18 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin says he only apologised to his teammate Mick Schumacher because the German was so upset after their Baku incident. Schumacher exclaimed “Does he want to kill us?” after Mazepin’s high speed jink to the right during their run to the chequered flag. “I’m still amazed. I wouldn’t have expected that between […]
London mayor in talks with Formula 1
Jun.18 (GMM) The mayor of London has admitted he is interested in welcoming Formula 1 to the British capital. In May, Toto Wolff said: “Racing in London would top everything and I hope that the mayor of London and (prime minister) Mr Johnson read this and we get that going.” According to a new report […]
Gasly unclear over Red Bull call for 2022
Jun.18 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says he still isn’t sure if he will remain at Alpha Tauri beyond 2021. Red Bull supremo Dr Helmut Marko said recently that the Frenchman is a perfect fit for the Alpha Tauri fashion brand, but 25-year-old Gasly is open about eyeing a return to the senior team. “It’s in Red […]
Red Bull ignoring ‘background noise’ – Marko
Jun.18 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says he regards any psychological games with Toto Wolff or Mercedes as “background noise”. At Baku, Wolff moved his rhetoric that is normally aimed at Austrian countryman Marko to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, calling him a “windbag”. Marko, 78, thinks it’s simply an effort to disturb Red Bull […]
Mercedes tweaks Hamilton’s ‘magic’ button
Jun.18 (GMM) Mercedes has implemented a temporary fix after Lewis Hamilton lost victory at Baku with the re-start incident. “I don’t count it as a mistake,” the seven time world champion, second behind Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings, said at Paul Ricard. “You can’t always be perfect, but a mistake is when you veer […]
F1 drivers boycotted Pirelli meeting – report
Jun.18 (GMM) Formula 1 drivers reportedly boycotted a meeting with Pirelli officials at Paul Ricard, as the saga of the mysterious Baku blowouts continues. “I understand that Max is angry,” Mario Isola, the official tyre supplier’s F1 chief, said at Paul Ricard. “But he also knows that I’m always available for questions.” Indeed, championship leader […]
15,000 spectators for first Austrian GP
Jun.18 (GMM) Hopes for a full house in Austria next weekend have been dashed. Just 15,000 spectators per day have been approved for this weekend’s French GP at Paul Ricard, and the same number is now expected at the Red Bull Ring. “For the race on June 27, the circuit is to be divided into […]