Apr.27 (GMM) Red Bull is looking to sign up even more members of Mercedes’ dominant F1 engine operation, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport. The claims come after the energy drink owned team announced that it has poached current and long-time Mercedes engineer Ben Hodgkinson to be technical director of the newly-formed Red […]
Ocon tells Alpine to listen to him ‘as much as Alonso’
Apr.23 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he has been assured that Alpine’s bosses and engineers will listen to him as well as returned two-time team champion Fernando Alonso. After Imola, where 39-year-old Alonso finished just behind his French teammate Ocon in tenth place, the Spaniard admitted he is still getting up to speed after two years […]
Zak Brown happy as McLaren sells F1 factory for $240m
Apr.23 (GMM) McLaren has sold its iconic headquarters, including the Formula 1 factory, for almost $240 million. A New York-based real estate investment company called Global Net Lease announced the deal earlier this week, revealing that it will acquire the full Woking facility and enter a “20-year, NNN lease”. A so-called ‘triple-net’ lease means the […]
New rules not attacking Mercedes, Aston Martin – Berger
Apr.23 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger does not think Mercedes and Aston Martin were targeted with the new aerodynamic rules for 2021. Aston Martin, whose Racing Point car last year was colloquially dubbed the ‘pink Mercedes’, is arguing alongside the works Mercedes team that the sport’s authorities wanted to hurt the cars with a so-called […]
GPDA boss Wurz would prefer ‘natural track limits’
Apr.22 (GMM) Formula 1 must fix the ongoing ‘track limits’ controversy by enforcing clear and strict rules, according to Grand Prix Drivers’ Association chief Alex Wurz. Like many in Formula 1 who lament the current inconsistent rules, former driver Wurz thinks the ideal solution would be to define the circuits’ limits with natural features. “I […]
Winning title could take Alpine ‘years’ – Alonso
Apr.22 (GMM) It could take Alpine as many as “seven years” to emerge at the top of Formula 1. That is the view of Fernando Alonso, the returning two-time champion who was recently described as the team’s “Godfather” by Renault CEO Luca de Meo. “I think what he meant is that, of everyone in the […]
Hamilton taking ‘big risks’ to beat Verstappen
Apr.22 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton now has to take “big risks” in order to defend his world title in 2021. That is the view of 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who likens Max Verstappen’s charge this year to when he took on Michael Schumacher. “It’s going to be exciting,” the French Canadian told f1-insider.com. “We already […]
Two candidates emerge to replace FIA president
Apr.22 (GMM) Two candidates have emerged on the front row of the grid to succeed Jean Todt as FIA president. Todt’s third and final term expires in December, and f1-insider.com correspondent Michael Zeitler reports that United Arab Emirates representative and former rally driver Mohammed Bin Sulayem is one potential successor. “He wants to bring a […]
French GP ‘in negotiations’ for reduced F1 race fee
Apr.22 (GMM) Paul Ricard is in talks with Formula 1 about reducing the French GP hosting fee. Le Figaro newspaper reports that the circuit at Le Castellet will be limited to just 15,000 fans per day for its scheduled late June event. “We are fighting for the right to host the grand prix, which is […]
Domenicali admits European race could go
Apr.22 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali says a current European race could be scrapped to make way for the new Miami GP next year. However, the F1 CEO insists that the new race in the United States will not replace the country’s existing event in Austin. “A yes to Miami doesn’t mean a no to Austin,” Domenicali […]
2021 Canada GP now listed as ‘TBA’
Apr.22 (GMM) F1’s governing body is now listing the 2021 Canadian GP as ‘TBA’ – to be confirmed. It is now widely expected that the Montreal race will be scrapped for the second year in succession due to the covid pandemic. City mayor Valerie Plante, however, is not quite ready to confirm that. “It is […]
Ex drivers say Vettel ‘a finished man’ in F1
Apr.22 (GMM) Two former drivers have suggested Sebastian Vettel’s most competitive days in Formula 1 may be over. There were high hopes the quadruple world champion’s form would be boosted by his move from Ferrari to Aston Martin for 2021. Actually, after Vettel’s first two races for his new team, former F3000 driver Jason Watt […]
Sprint races at every GP or not at all – Boullier
Apr.22 (GMM) French GP boss Eric Boullier thinks sprint qualifying should take place at every race weekend in future if the 2021 trial proves successful. Earlier, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the idea is actually to make the short Saturday race a rare occasion – like a ‘Grand Slam’ tournament in tennis. “I appreciate the […]
F1 to separate Miami, Austin race dates in 2022
Apr.21 (GMM) Formula 1 will give America’s two races next year “space” on the 2022 calendar. The sport announced at Imola that, despite the on-off saga of the proposed Miami GP over the past few years, Formula 1 will indeed head to Florida next year. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali explained that Miami and the existing […]
F1 is ‘every man for himself’ – Mazepin
Apr.21 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin says the world of Formula 1 is a case of “every man for himself”. The Russian rookie has taken a lot of heat for his on and off-track behaviour of late, including being accused of breaking ‘gentleman’s agreements’ between the drivers. His latest faux-pas was overtaking Antonio Giovinazzi in qualifying – […]
Russell denies giving Bottas ‘slap’ after crash
Apr.21 (GMM) George Russell has denied slapping Valtteri Bottas’ on the helmet after their high speed Imola crash. The Williams driver, who appears to be in direct competition for the works Mercedes seat for 2022, has now apologised for lashing out at Bottas verbally and physically before the Finn had emerged from his wrecked car […]
Red Bull will ‘definitely’ keep developing 2021 car
Apr.21 (GMM) Red Bull will “definitely” keep developing its 2021 car – even with the radically-different technical regulations for 2022 now looming large. Many teams, such as Ferrari, are much more focused this year on their all-new cars for 2022, as it is one of the biggest rule changes in the sport’s history. But right […]
Critics say Bottas ‘a long way off’ 2021 pace
Apr.21 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas is “a long way off” the pace at present, according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher. Even Bottas’ team boss admits the Finn is at a “very sensitive moment”, even though Toto Wolff also defended him after his crash with potential replacement George Russell at Imola. “The race didn’t go well […]
Aston Martin holds ‘several meetings’ with FIA
Apr.20 (GMM) Aston Martin had “several meetings” with the FIA over the Imola race weekend. It was there that the Lawrence Stroll-owned team refused to rule out legal action over the 2021 aerodynamic rule changes that both Aston Martin and Mercedes suspect were designed specifically to punish ‘low rake’ car concepts. Aston Martin’s position was […]
Honda to ‘keep developing’ in 2021 – Tanabe
Apr.20 (GMM) Just one way Honda has improved for its final official year in Formula 1 is at the race starts. While the 2021 power unit is clearly more powerful, the Japanese manufacturer has also taken a big step forward in getting off the line – as could be seen at Imola on Sunday. “We […]