Aug.28 (GMM) McLaren has unveiled Mastercard as its first title sponsor in more than a decade – but CEO Zak Brown insists the famous papaya livery will remain. “Don’t worry, the car will remain recognisable,” he told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad at the Amsterdam launch. The deal, thought to be worth a whopping $100 million […]
Russian GP organisers sue F1 over unpaid fee
Aug.27 (GMM) The promoters of Formula 1’s axed Russian Grand Prix have launched legal action against the sport’s commercial rights holder in the UK High Court. According to the state-owned Tass news agency, Rosgonki – the company that organised the Sochi race – is seeking repayment of its pre-paid 2022 fee, believed to be the […]
Madrid F1 track designer wanted ‘more extreme’ banking
Aug.27 (GMM) Zandvoort’s famous steep corners helped inspire Madrid’s new Formula 1 circuit – with its designer admitting he wanted to go even further. As F1 returns this weekend for the Dutch GP, the seaside venue is preparing for its second-last race before exiting the calendar after 2026. Zandvoort’s return in 2021 was marked by […]
Ganassi, Palou dismiss Red Bull F1 rumours
Aug.27 (GMM) Alex Palou and Chip Ganassi have both firmly denied reports linking the four-time Indycar champion to a Red Bull Formula 1 seat. The 28-year-old Spaniard, who secured titles in 2021, 2023, 2024 and again this season with dominant consistency at Chip Ganassi Racing, was suddenly thrust into the F1 rumour mill this week. […]
‘Smarter’ Piastri has mental edge over Norris – Jones
Aug.27 (GMM) As Formula 1 returns from its summer shutdown, McLaren is bracing for a straight fight between its own drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris for the 2025 world championship. Just 9 points separate the Australian and the Briton at the top of the standings, with Max Verstappen no longer a serious contender and […]
Salo backs Bottas as right choice for Cadillac
Aug.27 (GMM) Former Finnish Formula 1 driver Mika Salo has endorsed Cadillac’s decision to sign compatriot Valtteri Bottas as one of its two drivers for 2026. Speaking to Iltalehti – a Finnish daily newspaper – Salo said: “It was expected and good news. Valtteri did exactly the right thing by staying with Mercedes as a […]
Cadillac defends Bottas-Perez driver lineup
Aug.27 (GMM) Cadillac has defended its decision to launch its Formula 1 program with experienced and non-American duo Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, following criticism that the team overlooked younger options. The New York announcement confirmed that Bottas and Perez, both 35, will form the all-new lineup from 2026. Some observers, however, noted that while […]
Mercedes clears Bottas for early Cadillac work
Aug.27 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas will begin contributing to Cadillac’s new Formula 1 project this year despite remaining under contract as Mercedes’ reserve driver. The Finn was unveiled alongside Sergio Perez as Cadillac’s first F1 lineup at a New York event, with team boss Graeme Lowdon emphasising Mercedes’ willingness to be flexible. “I would like to […]
Verstappen could reconsider after 2026 – Marko
Aug.26 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko admits Max Verstappen may still decide to leave Red Bull after 2026, despite having recently reaffirmed his commitment to the team. The quadruple world champion has a contract through 2028, but persistent speculation over 2024 and 2025 suggested exit clauses could allow him to depart early. Christian Horner’s dismissal earlier […]
Red Bull linked with Indycar star Palou for 2026
Aug.26 (GMM) A surprising new name has suddenly returned to the Formula 1 driver market rumour mill – dominant multiple Indycar champion Alex Palou. According to Indy Star journalist Nathan Brown, “sources with direct knowledge of the talks” claim Red Bull has expressed interest in the four-time title winner, who currently drives for Chip Ganassi […]
Komatsu meets Toyota chairman as partnership grows
Aug.26 (GMM) Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu has revealed he recently held extended discussions with countryman and Toyota Motor Corporation chairman Akio Toyoda during a special Haas-Toyota event at Fuji Speedway. The event saw Japanese drivers sample the American team’s Formula 1 car as part of the new Toyota-funded Haas ‘TPC’ program. While Toyota has […]
Dutch GP not sold out even as final F1 race looms
Aug.26 (GMM) As Formula 1 returns from its August break, the Dutch GP at Zandvoort – the home race of Max Verstappen – is standing out for a surprising reason. It has emerged that seats are still unsold in what has otherwise become a new tradition of total sell-outs. Organisers last year agreed to extend […]
Marko praises Mekies’ Red Bull impact
Aug.25 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says Christian Horner’s replacement as Red Bull team boss, Laurent Mekies, has brought a new style to the energy drink-owned team. “On a personal level, he’s more focused on his work,” the long-time brand advisor told f1-insider.com. “In other words, the most important thing for him is the team’s success […]
Ford expands full Red Bull F1 role for 2026
Aug.25 (GMM) Ford has confirmed its return to Formula 1 next year will be a full collaboration with Red Bull’s in-house engine program for 2026 and beyond. “We didn’t really want to work on the combustion engine at first,” Ford motorsport boss Mark Rushbrook told Auto Motor und Sport. “We’re doing it now because we […]
Cadillac F1 rumours point to Bottas-Perez lineup
Aug.25 (GMM) Cadillac looks set to reveal its first Formula 1 driver lineup, with strong rumours pointing to Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for the team’s debut in 2026. Although Colton Herta had long been linked with the American entry, speculation now suggests the Indycar star will instead switch to Formula 2 next year in […]
400kph possible under 2026 rules – Wolff
Aug.25 (GMM) Formula 1 could see top speeds approaching an unprecedented 400kph when the all-new 2026 regulations arrive, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claims. “When full power is deployed, we’ll be approaching the 400 km/h limit,” he confirmed to Auto Motor und Sport. From 2026, the cars will feature almost 500hp of electric power on top […]
Malaysia rules out F1 return as rotation plan looms
Aug.25 (GMM) Malaysia has poured cold water on speculation it could re-join the ever-expanding Formula 1 calendar. Liberty Media is devising a rotation system to accommodate more host nations, with former venues like Portugal openly pushing for a return. But Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister, Hannah Yeoh, told parliament last week that Sepang is not […]
McLaren title fight will ‘blow up’ – Danner
Aug.25 (GMM) As F1 emerges from the August break, the battle for the 2025 world championship looks set to be a straight fight between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The pair insist their relationship will not turn into another Prost-Senna or Alonso-Hamilton rivalry, but former F1 driver Christian Danner is not so sure. […]
Hamilton ‘not like Sainz’ amid Ferrari struggle
Aug.25 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur admits Lewis Hamilton’s difficult start at Ferrari has been harder than expected. “When he came to Ferrari, we naively thought he’d have everything under control,” the Frenchman told Auto Motor und Sport. “He’s not like Carlos Sainz, who changes teams every few years and is familiar with the process. It took […]
Verstappen, Wolff share Sardinia yacht break – again
Aug.14 (GMM) Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff have been spotted holidaying together on the Mercedes boss’s yacht in Sardinia – their second such sighting this summer. According to Italy’s Autosprint, the Red Bull driver was “a welcome and amused guest” aboard Wolff’s Mangusta vessel in Cala di Volpe on the Costa Smeralda – while Charles […]