Sep.21 (GMM) It is “not possible” to replace every asphalt run-off area with a gravel trap, according to F1 race director Michael Masi. His comments come amid critiques of the most recent race at Mugello, the Ferrari-owned circuit that highlighted the difference between ‘old school’ tracks and the more sanitised modern alternatives. “Mistakes should be […]
Domenicali backs away from Binotto criticism
Sep.21 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali says he does not want to criticise Ferrari’s current team boss Mattia Binotto. Domenicali, now boss of the Italian sports car brand Lamborghini, led Ferrari until he was ousted in 2014. The Italian marque is now in a deeper slump than in recent memory, but Domenicali insists he does not want […]
Villeneuve tips Mercedes to keep winning in 2022
Sep.21 (GMM) If F1’s engine rules do not drastically change, Mercedes will continue to dominate long into the future. That is the view of 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who thinks even the radically different rules for 2022 will not stop Mercedes’ dominance. “As long as Formula 1 stays with the hybrid formula, it will […]
Tost doubts Vettel will win fifth title
Sep.21 (GMM) Franz Tost does not believe Sebastian Vettel will win a fifth world championship after switching to Aston Martin. Some believe the move is a real coup for the team currently known as Racing Point, as the Lawrence Stroll-owned outfit looks to become a true top team. But Alpha Tauri boss Franz Tost, who […]
No early Ferrari move for Sainz – Brown
Sep.21 (GMM) McLaren boss Zak Brown has rejected rumours the team could lose Carlos Sainz within the 2020 season. It was rumoured over the weekend that Sainz could switch early to Ferrari to replace Sebastian Vettel, with McLaren replacing Sainz with its 2021 driver Daniel Ricciardo. That may also allow Fernando Alonso to get started […]
Imola gets green light for 13,000 spectators
Sep.21 (GMM) Imola has received the go-ahead to welcome spectators to the 1 November race. As the sport’s ‘ghost race’ trend begins to ease, it emerges that the 30,000 tickets put on sale for Sunday’s Russian GP at Sochi have completely sold out. “The conditions for this year’s race were formed in accordance with all […]
Triple header races ‘unsustainable’ for F1
Sep.21 (GMM) Triple header Formula 1 races are “unsustainable” for the future of the sport. That is the claim of Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer, after an unprecedented run of nine grands prix in 2020 with just three ‘non race’ weekends in the same period. “Everyone knows why we have to do that this season,” […]
2022 tyres should be ‘compromise’ – Isola
Sep.21 (GMM) Formula 1 is drafting a so-called ‘target letter’ to give Pirelli direction on the tyres the sport requires for the new rules era from 2022. The last time a target letter was written was in 2016, and FIA technical boss Nikolas Tombazis admits it did not hit the mark. “We asked Pirelli to […]
F1 using red flags to spice up show – Hamilton
Sep.18 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton thinks Formula 1 is deliberately using red flags to spice up the show. After Mugello, F1 race director said he took it as a “personal insult” when Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas suggested the safety car was switching off its lights late at re-starts to boost excitement at the expense of safety. […]
Neurologist doubts Schumacher will recover
Sep.18 (GMM) A neurology specialist doubts Michael Schumacher will ever emerge from his current condition. Almost nothing is known about the current health situation of the F1 legend, who has not been seen in public since striking his head on a rock whilst skiing in the French Alps in late 2013. “I think he’s in […]
Ferrari spending ‘millions’ on simulator – Binotto
Sep.18 (GMM) Ferrari is spending “several million euros” to get a brand new simulator up and running at Maranello in the next few months. That is the news from the team’s beleaguered boss Mattia Binotto, who amid the deep Ferrari slump of 2020 is hanging onto his top job in red. “Apparently he has a […]
Ferrari right to oust Vettel – Massa
Sep.18 (GMM) Ferrari may have made the best choice to oust Sebastian Vettel, according to the team’s former driver Felipe Massa. Brazilian Massa, whose Ferrari teammates included Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher, says it is “very sad” to see the famous team’s 2020 slump. “Nobody wants to see Ferrari having these problems,” he told Globo. […]
‘Doesn’t matter’ if Albon stays or goes – Verstappen
Sep.18 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he doesn’t mind if Red Bull sticks with Alex Albon – or not. Since replacing the similarly underperforming Pierre Gasly mid last year, Albon has been coming under increasing pressure alongside Verstappen. Team boss Christian Horner, though, says his podium at Mugello will be a “turbocharger” for his confidence. “I […]
Shwartzman linked with Haas seat for 2021
Sep.17 (GMM) Alongside Mick Schumacher, another Formula 2 star is now shaping up as a likely 2021 rookie. It is believed that Schumacher, who leads the 2020 points standings, is the frontrunner to move up to Formula 1 next year with Alfa Romeo. Alfa Romeo, currently running another Ferrari academy member Antonio Giovinazzi, is believed […]
Vettel move ‘great’ for F1 and for Toto Wolff
Sep.17 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel staying in Formula 1 beyond 2020 is “great” not just for Formula 1, but for Toto Wolff as well. It was announced at Mugello, where Ferrari was celebrating its 1000th race, that Vettel is switching to the rebranded Aston Martin project from 2021. Wolff is the Mercedes team boss, but he […]
Selling McLaren factory a ‘good decision’ – Brown
Sep.17 (GMM) Zak Brown insists that selling McLaren’s factory for about $350 million is a “very good decision”. The American, who emerged as the famous brand’s supremo in the wake of a power struggle and Ron Dennis’ departure some years ago, says the money can be used more wisely. “I think most companies in the […]
F1’s ‘ghost race’ era finally ending
Sep.17 (GMM) F1’s ‘ghost race’ trend of 2020 is finally ending. For the first time since the corona crisis struck, spectators – just under 3000 of them last weekend at Mugello – were back in the F1 grandstands. But even bigger crowds will attend a series of forthcoming races. Organisers at Sochi have been selling […]
F2 driver opposed to ‘young driver test’ for Alonso
Sep.17 (GMM) Formula 2 driver Louis Deletraz admits he is opposed to Fernando Alonso being invited to take part in F1’s ‘young driver test’ in Abu Dhabi later this year. Reports claim that Cyril Abiteboul has made an application for an exemption to the rule limiting the F1 test to drivers with less than two […]
Briatore says coronavirus ‘can be defeated’
Sep.17 (GMM) Flavio Briatore says the coronavirus pandemic that has wreaked havoc on Formula 1 and the world in 2020 “can be defeated”. The former Renault boss was speaking after recovering from his own recent infection with the famous virus. “I don’t want to play down the illness but last year I was very ill. […]
Sponsor exit was ‘end of story’ – Claire Williams
Sep.17 (GMM) It was the departure of Williams’ title sponsor this year that prompted the sale of the team. That is the admission of Claire Williams, the daughter of founder Sir Frank Williams, as they both depart Formula 1 following the sale to Dorilton Capital. “I had my chance and I’ve run out of energy,” […]