Apr.17 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin needs to stop having spins and crashes “at some point”, according to the beleaguered Russian rookie’s team boss Gunther Steiner. 22-year-old Mazepin’s horror start to his first year in Formula 1 continued at Imola, when he added another practice crash to his record – to the ongoing derision of his enemies […]
‘Not my turn’ to receive covid vaccine – Vettel
Apr.17 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel says he has turned down the chance to be vaccinated against covid-19. Several drivers have already contracted the notorious virus, including Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll and Lando Norris. Others, including all four Red Bull drivers, have now received the vaccine. But quadruple world champion Sebastian […]
Nurburgring to replace Montreal in 2021 – report
Apr.17 (GMM) Germany’s Nurburgring circuit is hotting up as favourite to replace the endangered 2021 Canadian GP. The German broadcaster RTL reports that rumblings to that effect in the Imola paddock this weekend are “more than just rumours”. Official news about the Montreal cancellation is expected within 48 hours, and RTL believes that the Nurburgring […]
F1 can revive V10, V8 engines – di Grassi
Apr.16 (GMM) There is a way for Formula 1 to revive its iconic normally-aspirated engines whilst ramping up its green credentials. That is the view of former F1 driver Lucas di Grassi, who now races for Audi in Formula E. The Brazilian thinks Formula 1 should abandon its hybrid engines and instead focus exclusively on […]
Sprint races won’t sell more F1 tickets – Boullier
Apr.16 (GMM) French GP official Eric Boullier is not convinced ‘sprint qualifying’ will transform the excitement of Formula 1. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says there is now nothing that will stop the new format from being trialled at three separate race weekends in 2021. “We just have to wait for the formal steps of the […]
Domenicali hopes spectators can attend Monza
Apr.16 (GMM) Whether spectators can attend Italy’s other grand prix in 2021 depends on progress with vaccinations. That is the news from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who actually grew up not far from the Imola circuit – scene of this weekend’s latest F1 ‘ghost race’. Carlos Sainz says it’s a shame that his first race […]
No Ferrari exit even with doubled salary – Leclerc
Apr.16 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he would not leave Ferrari even if a rival team offered to double his salary. Because he extended his contract for a full five years, reportedly with at least a $10m per year pay-packet, the 23-year-old admitted he asked Ferrari if he could receive a full racing version of his […]
Alpine using ‘intuition’ to assess Renault engine
Apr.16 (GMM) Alpine is having to use more “intuition” in 2021 in order to assess the merits of the Renault engine. That is the admission of Fernando Alonso, referring to the fact that Renault’s last engine customer – McLaren – switched to Mercedes power over the winter. “We are the only team with the Renault […]
Russell plays down tension with Hamilton
Apr.16 (GMM) George Russell has played down suggestions that he is no longer on speaking terms with Lewis Hamilton. According to the rumour, relations between the pair froze when it became clear that Mercedes junior Russell is the preferred potential replacement for the seven time world champion. “The question I was asked was ‘Did you […]
2021 Canada GP axe ‘only a formality’ now
Apr.16 (GMM) Confirmation of Canada’s scratching from the 2021 Formula 1 calendar is now “only a formality”. Following reports that local health officials have decided the Montreal race should not go ahead even in a ‘ghost race’ format, Formula 1 declined to confirm the news. “We are continuing our discussions with the promoter in Canada […]
Plans for F1 race in Miami back on track
Apr.15 (GMM) Plans for a second American race on the annual Formula 1 calendar are back on track. La Gazzetta dello Sport last week reported that Miami is once again pushing for a race at Hard Rock Stadium, with the support of “the mayor of Miami Gardens, the Miami Dolphins and Formula 1”. “On Wednesday […]
Italy wants two F1 races each year
Apr.15 (GMM) The national automobile club wants two grands prix in Italy to become the annual norm once again. Earlier, Monza and Imola were both permanent F1 race hosts – and 2021 marks the second year in a row in which the latter circuit east of Bologna is back on the calendar. However, in both […]
Schumacher must be ‘patient’ with Haas – Danner
Apr.15 (GMM) It is crucial that Mick Schumacher is “patient” this year as the young German tackles his first season in Formula 1 with backmarker Haas. That is the advice of former driver Christian Danner, who said the reigning Formula 2 champion put in a “great” performance in comparison with rookie teammate Nikita Mazepin on […]
Indycar ‘more physical’ than Formula 1 – Grosjean
Apr.15 (GMM) It is “more physical” to drive an Indycar compared to the Formula 1 cars he has raced for the past decade, according to Romain Grosjean. Despite the horror and fiery crash in Bahrain that topped off his final season in F1 with Haas last year, the 34-year-old has re-emerged for 2021 in Indycar […]
Seidl can only ‘smile’ at 2021 ‘rake’ narrative
Apr.15 (GMM) Andreas Seidl says he can only “smile” at all the talk about ‘high rake’ and ‘low rake’ aerodynamic philosophies early in 2021. According to the narrative, Formula 1’s rule changes between 2020 and this season benefitted Red Bull-like ‘high rake’ cars whilst punishing the previously-dominant ‘low rake’ Mercedes concept. “I have to smile […]
Schumacher estate on sale for EUR 58m – report
Apr.14 (GMM) Michael Schumacher’s famous estate located in Gland, on the shores of Switzerland’s Lake Geneva, has reportedly been put up for sale. According to Bunte, a German people magazine that is well-known for reporting behind-the-scenes news about the Schumacher family, the F1 legend’s wife Corinna has listed the 20,000 square metre property for EUR […]
Verstappen gave Sainz ‘confidence’ to shine in F1
Apr.14 (GMM) Going wheel to wheel with Max Verstappen gave Carlos Sainz the “confidence” to know that he belonged in Formula 1. The pair both made their debuts for Toro Rosso in 2015, and Spaniard Sainz now admits that “it was immediately clear that Max had extraordinary gifts”. “Being able to stand up to him […]
Quebec may not ‘need’ 2021 Canada GP – premier
Apr.14 (GMM) Quebec’s premier is worried the country could lose its Formula 1 race over the covid crisis. Amid fears authorities will not allow spectators to attend the Montreal street event, Quebec’s director of public health suggested that a race behind closed doors may be a possibility. “There is a way to organise it behind […]
Dutch GP needs ‘help’ if spectators limited
Apr.14 (GMM) Zandvoort will need “help” if spectators are locked out of the circuit for September’s Dutch GP. It emerged a week ago that 12,000 spectators will be allowed at Euro 2020 football games at the Johan Cruijff Arena later this year – representing 25 percent capacity. If that same metric is used by the […]
‘Hard to imagine’ not racing – Hamilton
Apr.14 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has given the clearest sign yet that he intends to stay in Formula 1 beyond 2021. The seven time world champion, and his employer Mercedes, surprised the F1 world when a mere one-year extension to Hamilton’s existing contract was announced. But the 36-year-old now tells La Gazzetta dello Sport that there […]