Sep.13 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has given his chances of a 2021 F1 debut a big boost by taking the lead in the F2 championship at Mugello. It comes amid strong rumours that the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher will make his F1 race weekend debut with a Friday practice session for Alfa Romeo at […]
Horner admits looking at driver ‘options’
Sep.13 (GMM) Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits he is looking into the team’s “options” for its driver lineup for 2021. Max Verstappen is firmly under contract, but both Pierre Gasly and now Alex Albon have struggled to match up against the Dutchman. However, Albon qualified right behind third-placed Verstappen at Mugello. “We know that […]
Seidl plays down McLaren factory sale
Sep.12 (GMM) Andreas Seidl has played down news that McLaren’s iconic headquarters will be sold. Reports this week claimed that the Woking based team could raise over $250 million by selling its striking McLaren Technology Centre and then leasing it back from the new owner. The reports said McLaren might also sell a minority stake […]
New Williams boss not sure if position permanent
Sep.12 (GMM) Williams’ acting team principal says he is not sure if his new role will be made permanent. Simon Roberts, who made a shock move from McLaren just three months ago, has received a surprisingly fast promotion to succeed departed team boss Claire Williams. Roberts, who was operations director and chief operating officer at […]
Vettel can quit Aston Martin after 2021 – report
Sep.12 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has not signed a fixed long-term contract with Aston Martin, according to Bild newspaper. While the quadruple world champion will definitely race in 2021, the report claims that the deal he has signed will allow him to quit after just one year. However, Vettel told RTL: “The goal is not short-term, […]
Portimao to welcome 45,000 F1 spectators
Sep.12 (GMM) As many as 45,000 spectators per day could attend the first Formula 1 race at Portimao next month. Earlier, despite the current Portuguese ban on spectators at sports events, race organisers announced that while a ‘ghost race’ was possible, the circuit was hoping to welcome some fans in October. “The fans are eager […]
‘Good chance’ of 2021 debut for Schumacher – Binotto
Sep.12 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has a “good chance” of stepping up to Formula 1 in 2021. That is the view of Mattia Binotto, the Ferrari team boss. Schumacher, the 21-year-old son of former Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher, is now the most prominent member of the Italian team’s driver development academy. Earlier, it was claimed that […]
McLaren opens Indycar door for axed Perez
Sep.12 (GMM) Zak Brown is offering Sergio Perez a seat at McLaren – in the Indycar program. Ousted by Racing Point in favour of Sebastian Vettel, Mexican Perez’s best options for 2021 now appear to be Alfa Romeo or Haas. But Brown, the McLaren supremo, thinks there is another option. “It’s a shame that Sergio […]
Sainz slams Racing Point over Perez axe
Sep.12 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has slammed Racing Point for dumping Sergio Perez. The McLaren driver said at Mugello that he is “a little angry” about the way Perez alleges he was given little notice that his 2021 contract would be cancelled to make way for Sebastian Vettel. “Checo had a trusting relationship with the team […]
McLaren test Mercedes-like nose at Mugello
Sep.12 (GMM) McLaren tested a Mercedes-like nose during Friday practice at Mugello. F1’s homologation deadline, which will severely limit car changes for 2021 amid the corona crisis, expires at the end of September. “We wanted to use our experimental nose to check whether the wind tunnel data matches the reality on the track,” team boss […]
Raikkonen is Alfa Romeo’s first choice for 2021
Sep.12 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen is Alfa Romeo’s first choice for 2021. Like all Ferrari-powered teams, the Hinwil-based team is struggling this year but that is not stopping speculation about the driver lineup for next season. Antonio Giovinazzi admits it is difficult to shine alongside a driver of 40-year-old Raikkonen’s calibre and experience. “When evaluating my […]
Backmarkers against 2021 ‘reverse grid’ proposal
Sep.11 (GMM) Williams’ two drivers are no supporters of moves to introduce ‘reverse grid’ racing in Formula 1 next year. Championed by Liberty Media, the plan was rejected by the teams for 2020. But F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn now says more interesting Monza-like results would be possible if the push for reverse-grid sprint races […]
Hamilton wants ‘5 million more’ for 2021 – Lehto
Sep.11 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is holding out for a 2021 pay-rise, according to a former Formula 1 driver. As the ‘silly season’ continues to fire, it is notable that the most coveted seat on the grid – the one occupied by the six-time world champion – is officially open for 2021. But it is clear […]
Steiner admits Perez joins Haas’ 2021 shortlist
Sep.11 (GMM) Another driver’s name has been added to the short-list at Haas for 2021. Sergio Perez claims he only found out about his Racing Point-Aston Martin ousting on Wednesday, meaning he is joining the ‘silly season’ notably late. But that is still extra competition for Haas’ nervous current drivers, Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean. […]
Vettel should have taken 2021 sabbatical – Kolles
Sep.11 (GMM) Former F1 team boss Colin Kolles thinks Sebastian Vettel should have taken a sabbatical in 2021 rather than sign up with Aston Martin. His view is in stark contrast to that of F1 legend Gerhard Berger, who thinks the right decision was made because Vettel – unlike incumbents Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll […]
Vettel would have won in 2020 Racing Point – Berger
Sep.11 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger says Racing Point bosses have made the right decision to replace Sergio Perez with Ferrari refugee Sebastian Vettel for 2021 and beyond. Across the paddock at Mugello, sympathy for Mexican Perez’s ousting is significant. It appears that Vettel knew for some time about his 2021 Aston Martin deal, as […]
Vettel can still win ‘races and titles’ – Tost
Sep.10 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is still capable of winning races and titles in Formula 1 after his Ferrari tenure ends in 2020, according to his former boss Franz Tost. 12 years after his first win for Tost-led Toro Rosso, quadruple world champion Vettel is now expected to replace Sergio Perez at Aston Martin in 2021. […]
Alpha Tauri driver clarity in late October – Tost
Sep.10 (GMM) Red Bull’s driver situation for 2021 should be clearer by the next of next month. That is the view of Franz Tost, the team boss at Red Bull’s junior or secondary team Alpha Tauri. With Dr Helmut Marko saying Monza winner Pierre Gasly will stay as Alpha Tauri’s “team leader” in 2021, it […]
Ferrari ‘deserve’ current situation – Vettel
Sep.10 (GMM) Things can “only get better” for Ferrari, according to the famous and crisis-struck Italian team’s boss Mattia Binotto. Mugello this weekend is an important weekend for the Maranello marque, as it is taking place at a Ferrari-owned circuit to mark the team’s 1000th race. Also to mark the occasion, Ferrari will race a […]
No Friday practice at Mugello for Schumacher
Sep.10 (GMM) Mick Schumacher’s entourage has denied reports that the young German will make his F1 race weekend debut at Mugello. Germany’s RTL and n-tv broadcasters reported that the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher will drive an Alfa Romeo or Haas car in Friday practice. “I have no idea how RTL came to that […]