Oct.10 (GMM) Red Bull is “too slow” in 2020 to think about more race wins or the world championship. That is the frank admission of Max Verstappen, amid speculation Honda’s shock withdrawal from the team and the sport after 2021 could trigger the Dutch driver’s departure. When asked by Ziggo Sport if a race win […]
2021 Mick Schumacher decision due ‘soon’
Oct.10 (GMM) News about Mick Schumacher’s expected Formula 1 debut for 2021 is due “soon”. At the Nurburgring, that was the unified message of Ferrari and Alfa Romeo bosses Mattia Binotto and Frederic Vasseur respectively. Most observers expect Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo to announce that Schumacher, 21, will replace his fellow Ferrari academy driver Antonio Giovinazzi […]
Sainz not worried about Schumacher threat
Oct.10 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has dismissed speculation that his career at Ferrari may be short-lived. The current McLaren driver has been signed by Ferrari for 2021, but all the buzz at the Nurburgring is about Mick Schumacher, who is expected to debut for Alfa Romeo next year. “We hope to bring a young man from […]
2021 debut for Honda’s Tsunoda still on track
Oct.10 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda may still be on track for a Honda-fuelled debut in Formula 1 next year. Prior to the Japanese manufacturer’s shock decision to quit the sport, Japanese F2 star Tsunoda was considered a frontrunner to replace Daniil Kvyat in 2021 at Alpha Tauri. “Personally, I don’t think our leaving has any impact […]
Mercedes rules out engine supply for Red Bull
Oct.10 (GMM) Mercedes is not willing to supply engines to Red Bull after Honda leaves Formula 1 at the end of next year. On the face of it, there are four options for the energy drink-owned outfit: customer Mercedes, Ferrari or Renault deals, or going it alone by buying the Honda engine IP. “It’s something […]
Mercedes protecting drivers amid covid outbreak
Oct.10 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are being very cautious amid an outbreak of covid-19 within the Mercedes team. At least two members of the dominant team have tested positive at the Nurburgring, with a handful of others now removed from action and in quarantine. “We flew six people in from the UK” to […]
Steiner admits meeting with Russian billionaire
Oct.9 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has admitted to meeting with Russian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin. The Haas boss’ meeting at the Russian GP at Sochi recently triggered rumours not only that Mazepin’s son Nikita is in the running for a 2021 race seat, but that the small American team could even be sold. “I have known Mr […]
Hamilton opposed to F1’s new Rio de Janeiro race
Oct.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has come out in opposition to the new Brazilian GP project in Rio de Janeiro. It emerged this week that F1 chief executive Chase Carey had written to the city’s governor “to update you that we have now finalised the agreements for a race” on a new circuit in Rio’s Deodoro […]
Vettel admits buying Aston Martin shares
Oct.9 (GMM) Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has confirmed that he has bought into Aston Martin. The German is joining the Racing Point team next year, which will re-brand itself as Aston Martin in the wake of owner Lawrence Stroll’s takeover of the British carmaker. A few days ago, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff – who […]
Verstappen denies giving up on Red Bull
Oct.9 (GMM) Max Verstappen has dismissed as “rubbish” suggestions that he is falling out with Red Bull. Just a week after Honda shocked the F1 world with its decision to quit the sport after 2021, some people noticed that Verstappen no longer follows the official Honda or Red Bull accounts on Instagram. The Dutchman responded […]
No ‘miracles’ with new Ferrari parts – Leclerc
Oct.9 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he is not expecting “miracles” from another Ferrari upgrade this weekend at the Nurburgring. Amid its deep 2021 slump, the Maranello team seemed to take a step forward at Sochi thanks to a minor car upgrade. “We have more new pieces here after analysing our problems,” Leclerc confirmed at the […]
Schumacher says F1 future ‘still very open’
Oct.9 (GMM) At the Nurburgring for his Friday practice debut, Mick Schumacher would not answer whether his 2021 Alfa Romeo race deal is now signed and sealed. There is strong speculation that the Swiss based team is poised to announce that F2 series leader Schumacher, 21, will be Kimi Raikkonen’s teammate next year. “The future […]
Raikkonen denies signing 2021 Alfa Romeo deal
Oct.9 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has hit back at reports that he has now signed up to remain with Alfa Romeo in 2021. Media sources claim that the Finn’s new deal, and that of his expected 2021 teammate Mick Schumacher, will be announced by the Swiss-based team on Friday. “Nothing has been decided yet,” 40-year-old Raikkonen […]
Hamilton admits ‘concern’ about team covid case
Oct.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has admitted to “concern” after a member of the Mercedes team tested positive for covid-19. Ahead of the Nurburgring race weekend, the dominant Formula 1 team confirmed: “This has been handled and is being handled in line with FIA protocols, working closely with the FIA.” Media sources report that the affected […]
Alfa Romeo to announce Schumacher for 2021 race seat
Oct.8 (GMM) Formula 1 is abuzz with rumours that Mick Schumacher’s 2021 Formula 1 race debut will be confirmed this weekend at the Nurburgring. The 21-year-old Formula 2 series leader is already making his free practice debut for Alfa Romeo on Friday, at the wheel of Antonio Giovinazzi’s car. The official fan club of Mick’s […]
Experts split over Hamilton’s F1 greatness
Oct.8 (GMM) As Lewis Hamilton looks to match and beat Michael Schumacher’s all time records, the jury is still out regarding the British driver’s greatness. F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart has caused a stir this week by suggesting Hamilton’s achievements are clouded by the utter superiority of his car. “Frankly, the car and the engine […]
F1 should speed up new engine rules – Marko
Oct.8 (GMM) Formula 1 should consider speeding up the sport’s move to new engine regulations, according to Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko. With the new regulations not expected until 2026, Red Bull – to lose engine partner Honda after 2021 – is facing having to return to being a mere engine customer for 2022-2025. That […]
Verstappen must have ‘competitive’ 2021 car – father
Oct.8 (GMM) Red Bull needs to “worry” if it cannot supply a “competitive car” to Max Verstappen for 2021. That is the implied warning in the latest rare comments made by the Dutch driver’s father and co-manager Jos Verstappen. In the wake of Honda’s decision to quit, Dr Helmut Marko has contradicted Red Bull team […]
Red Bull could quit F1 over engine situation
Oct.8 (GMM) Red Bull may pull out of Formula 1 if it cannot find a “competitive” alternative to works Honda power. That is the warning of Dr Helmut Marko, the Austrian official who is closest to Red Bull and Alpha Tauri’s billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz. Honda shocked the F1 world last Friday by announcing its […]
Annual race alternation could revive German GP
Oct.7 (GMM) Nurburgring boss Mirco Markfort is hoping this weekend’s race at the famous venue boosts the chances of a proper return to the Formula 1 calendar. Before this weekend’s race, the Nurburgring last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2013, in the final installation of the annual ‘alternating’ arrangement with Hockenheim. Since then, Germany […]