Sergio Perez has emerged as a realistic candidate to become Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull next year. Although the team has been publicly backing the struggling Alex Albon, it is believed the candidates to replace him for 2021 also include Nico Hulkenberg. La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Luigi Perna wrote on Thursday that Hulkenberg would […]
No new Hamilton contract until after season
The matter of Lewis Hamilton’s expiring Mercedes contract could be delayed until after the 2020 season. Earlier, the six-time world champion indicated that he felt uncomfortable negotiating a new deal for 2021 and beyond amid the covid crisis. But others suspect that he is waiting to see not only how speculation of a potential team […]
Schumacher happy spectators will watch F1 debut
Mick Schumacher says he is glad to be making his official F1 race weekend debut in front of German spectators next Friday. The Nurburgring was given local approval to sell tickets to 20,000 spectators per day. “I am definitely looking forward to the Nurburgring,” Schumacher, whose father Michael is a local hero, said ahead of […]
Perez knew Racing Point axe was coming
Oct.1 (GMM) Sergio Perez has admitted he knew he would be ousted by Racing Point – even before the team told him. It was rumoured recently that the Mexican driver overheard team owner Lawrence Stroll instructing a lawyer at Monza to draw up Sebastian Vettel’s contract. “Yes, this story is true,” Perez admitted at Sochi, […]
FIA admits F1 will not be ‘covid-free’ in 2021
Oct.1 (GMM) The FIA’s operations director does not think Formula 1 will be covid-free in 2021. Among Bruno Famin’s chief responsibilities this year is to oversee the health protocol that is allowing the racing to go ahead in 2020 amid the coronavirus crisis. “Do you say ‘knock on wood’ in Spain?” he told the Spanish […]
Honda in talks about 2021 Alpha Tauri debut for Tsunoda
Oct.1 (GMM) Honda is in talks with Dr Helmut Marko about the potential 2021 Formula 1 debut of Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda. As time races on, it appears increasingly clear that the 20-year-old Honda-backed Formula 2 driver will replace Daniil Kvyat at Alpha Tauri next year. “As he is clearly in Pierre Gasly’s shadow, Kvyat […]
Horner not worried that Ferrari bosses run F1
Oct.1 (GMM) Christian Horner says he is not worried that so many former Ferrari chiefs are now running Formula 1. The Maranello outfit is the only one in pitlane with the power to veto incoming rules. And now it is notable that F1’s top officials are Jean Todt as FIA president, Ross Brawn as sporting […]
Hamilton vows to be ‘squeaky clean’ after penalties
Oct.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has vowed to stay “squeaky-clean” for the rest of his 2020 world championship campaign. The Mercedes driver was furious after receiving penalties for illegal practice starts at the Russian GP. His two penalty points that drew him perilously close to a race ban were ultimately rescinded, but team boss Toto Wolff […]
Alonso says Schumacher ‘one step ahead’ of Hamilton
Oct.1 (GMM) Michael Schumacher remains “one step ahead” of Lewis Hamilton in terms of F1 greatness. That is the view of Fernando Alonso, as the world of Formula 1 contemplates Hamilton racing past Schumacher’s all-time victory record and equalling his seven titles in 2020. “I remember Michael as a driver with the greatest talent,” the […]
Ralf Schumacher ‘can’t imagine’ nephew not in F1 in 2021
Oct.1 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher “can’t imagine” that his nephew will not be on the Formula 1 grid next year. Ahead of his Friday practice debut for Alfa Romeo at the Nurburgring, 21-year-old Mick Schumacher prepared at Fiorano on Wednesday at the wheel of a 2018 Ferrari. Also in action were fellow Ferrari juniors Callum Ilott […]
Horner wants Red Bull and Honda to stick together
Oct.1 (GMM) It is “inevitable” that Mercedes’ dominance will end eventually, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. However, with team figures now dismissing their chances of beating Mercedes this year, Horner also does not expect Red Bull to catch up by 2021. “Our great opportunity is 2022,” he said. “For the coming year, […]
Mercedes at risk of ‘complacency’ – Horner
Sep.30 (GMM) “Complacency” may be creeping in at dominant Mercedes, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. He was speaking after Lewis Hamilton was given two five-second penalties at Sochi, as it emerges that Mercedes engineers actually gave the British driver the green-light to practice his starts outside of the designated zone. “We didn’t […]
Renault doing ‘incredible job’ in 2020 – Alonso
Sep.30 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says Renault has “everything they need” to succeed in the future. After a two-year sabbatical, the double world champion is returning to Formula 1 next year as Renault becomes Alpine. He got down to work at Renault’s Enstone (UK) and Viry (France) factories last week. “These were days that were full […]
Hamilton must avoid further penalties – Wolff
Sep.30 (GMM) Mercedes’ two drivers must try to avoid penalties in the forthcoming races, according to team boss Toto Wolff. Although the decision to add two more penalty points to Lewis Hamilton’s super licence at Sochi was rescinded, he admits he cannot afford to move any closer to a race ban. “We must not run […]
Verstappen has ‘door open’ to Mercedes move
Sep.30 (GMM) Max Verstappen will be “keeping the door open” for a shock potential switch to Mercedes. That is the view of former F1 driver JJ Lehto, off the back of wild rumours that Lewis Hamilton might in fact become Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull. “I wondered what Eddie had been drinking,” said Red Bull […]
Vasseur not confirming Raikkonen contract rumours
Sep.30 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur has declined to say whether Kimi Raikkonen has already signed a contract to remain at Alfa Romeo in 2021. It is now increasingly expected that 40-year-old Raikkonen will stay at the Swiss team to be an experienced teammate for likely F1 debutant Mick Schumacher. Rumours at Sochi indicated Raikkonen has even […]
Domenicali knows F1 benefits from Schumacher debut
Sep.30 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has the support of the Formula 1 organisation as he moves closer to his expected 2021 debut, according to a well-known F1 figure. The young German’s Friday practice debut with Alfa Romeo at the Nurburgring has now been confirmed, as has a similar run for fellow Ferrari junior Callum Illot at […]
Politician steps in to save Spanish GP
Sep.29 (GMM) A prominent politician has stepped in with the goal of saving the Spanish GP. As recently as one week ago, the Barcelona circuit’s newly-installed boss Maria Teixidor said she was preparing to discuss a 2021 race deal with Liberty Media. She has suddenly stepped down, with La Vanguardia newspaper reporting that local politician […]
Mick Schumacher not as good as his father – drivers
Sep.29 (GMM) Two former F1 drivers do not believe Mick Schumacher is as talented as his famous father. At Sochi, rumours began to gain even more steam that the Formula 2 series leader is poised to make his F1 debut with Alfa Romeo next year. But that doesn’t mean he’s as good as seven time […]
Hamilton ‘playing poker’ with 2021 contract
Sep.29 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is “playing poker” over his next contract at Mercedes, according to a former driver. Valtteri Bottas is already signed up to keep racing for the dominant team in 2021, but Hamilton is reportedly yet to even sit down for talks with Toto Wolff. Some believe the six-time world champion and runaway […]