Apr.9 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has been told to keep an eye on his new Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz. At the Maranello team last year, 23-year-old Leclerc dominated quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel. For 2021 and beyond, he has been paired with former Renault and McLaren driver Carlos Sainz. But 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve warns […]
Former Italian PM not involved in F1 team project
Apr.9 (GMM) Reports that a former Italian prime minister could be involved in plans for a new Formula 1 team have been dismissed. Matteo Renzi, now a senator for Florence, caused a stir in the Italian media recently when he was spotted trackside at the season opening Bahrain GP. Subsequently, it was reported that the […]
Hulkenberg tries 2021 F1 cars in simulator
Apr.8 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has kicked off his new role as Aston Martin and Mercedes reserve in 2021 by getting a taste of the cars in the simulator. The former Renault driver, who became Racing Point’s ‘super sub’ last year by filling in for the team’s regular drivers when they had covid-19, will also be […]
Financial deal shows green light to F1 sprint races
Apr.8 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali appears to have resolved an issue that could have red-flagged Formula 1’s sprint qualifying trial in 2021. In Bahrain recently, Mercedes and Red Bull bosses led the argument that teams need an extra $300-400,000 each under the new $145 million budget cap rules to cover the extra cost of the additional […]
Alpine ‘careful’ with Alonso, Ocon relationship – Prost
Apr.8 (GMM) Alpine must be “very careful” as it manages the dynamic between its two drivers, according to team advisor and F1 legend Alain Prost. According to the 66-year-old quadruple world champion, a “psychological game” already emerged at the Enstone based team last year, when Esteban Ocon was paired with the now departed Daniel Ricciardo. […]
F1 closing on $30m per team driver salary cap
Apr.8 (GMM) Formula 1 is closing in on a $30 million per team annual budget cap to specifically limit spending on drivers. According to Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport and other specialist publications, the FIA and Liberty Media are poised to circulate the proposal among F1 teams. “According to rumours,” wrote correspondent Luigi Perna, “they […]
‘Rake’ and rules not key to Red Bull boost
Apr.8 (GMM) McLaren, Alpine and Alfa Romeo are hitting back at the notion that Red Bull and other teams directly benefitted from the aerodynamic rule changes for 2021. The argument is that Formula 1 and the FIA implemented the changes to disproportionately hurt the most dominant team with the lower ‘rake’ concept – Mercedes. “It […]
18-inch tyres ‘feel good already’ – Alonso
Apr.7 (GMM) Pirelli’s 18-inch tyres for 2022 “feel good already”, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has revealed. After the 2021 season opener, Ferrari and Alpine stayed behind in Bahrain to help Pirelli develop the new low-profile tyres for next season. “The new tyres feel good already,” Spaniard Alonso said. “It is at an encouraging stage […]
Sainz a closer teammate than Vettel – Leclerc
Apr.7 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he is forging a closer relationship at Ferrari with Carlos Sainz than he did with his former teammate Sebastian Vettel. Spaniard Sainz, 26, moved from McLaren for 2021 to replace the ousted quadruple world champion Vettel, who is now struggling to get up to speed at Aston Martin. “All of […]
Verstappen’s father helping new youngster reach F1
Apr.7 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s father is now working on delivering another young driver to Formula 1. Former F1 driver Jos’ extreme commitment to his son’s meteoric rise in the sport is legendary – and now he has taken on the “challenge” of helping Thierry Vermeulen. Thierry is the 18-year-old son of Jos and Max’s manager […]
Red Bull lost ‘three tenths per lap’ in Bahrain – Marko
Apr.7 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko is expecting Red Bull and Mercedes to be “on an equal footing” in 2021. Max Verstappen dominated the entire season-opening weekend in Bahrain until the actual race, in which Lewis Hamilton pipped him at the post. But Marko has revealed that Red Bull’s Dutch driver, and also Verstappen’s new teammate […]
2021 Mercedes suffering Williams-like problem – Russell
Apr.7 (GMM) George Russell thinks Mercedes’ 2021 car could be suffering from a Williams-like sensitivity to the wind. At the Bahrain season opener, Mercedes junior Russell said he thinks the biggest issue with his new Williams car was a newfound sensitivity to the wind as a result of the tweaked aerodynamic rules for 2021. “Mercedes […]
Former Italian PM linked with F1 team project
Apr.7 (GMM) Rumours suggest former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi could be involved in plans for a new Saudi Arabia-backed Formula 1 team. Renzi, who is now a senator for Florence, caused a stir when he was spotted in the paddock of the 2021 season opener in Bahrain with Crown Prince Salman. “I’m used to […]
F1 CEO hits back at sprint qualifying cost debate
Apr.7 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali says Formula 1 risks losing sight of “the big picture” amid a dispute over extra funding for the three-race sprint qualifying trial. Top team bosses Toto Wolff and Christian Horner are arguing behind the scenes that teams need to be compensated under the new budget cap for the additional costs of […]
Father says Verstappen can win at Imola
Apr.6 (GMM) His son may not have won in Bahrain, but Jos Verstappen is confident Red Bull will have a potentially race-winning car at every race in 2021. Indeed, Max Verstappen dominated the season-opening race weekend until Lewis Hamilton pipped him at the post in the actual grand prix. Verstappen Senior told Ziggo Sport that […]
Leclerc wants even longer Ferrari contract
Apr.6 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he is ready to extend his current Ferrari contract for an even longer period. Ferrari stunned the F1 paddock in 2019 by announcing that its new Monaco-born driver, then just 21, would be staying for the next five full seasons. “I have a contract until the end of 2024,” the […]
Three F1 names defend under-fire Mazepin
Apr.6 (GMM) Three prominent members of the F1 circus have defended the under-fire Nikita Mazepin. After a scandalous pre-season and nightmare opening race in Bahrain, many are now openly laughing at the plight of the Russian rookie. However, Ralf Schumacher warned his nephew Mick not to become complacent about the 22-year-old Mazepin’s presence. “Getting control […]
Mercedes link now hurting Aston Martin
Apr.6 (GMM) Just as the so-called ‘pink Mercedes’ benefitted from the Mercedes tie-up last year, Aston Martin is now struggling for the same basic reason. That is the view of observers including Ralf Schumacher and Dr Helmut Marko, who are connecting the works Mercedes team’s current problems with those of the satellite team. “Aston Martin […]
CEO explains Abiteboul’s Renault exit
Apr.6 (GMM) Renault needed change at the very top as the F1 team transitioned to its new identity as Alpine for 2021. That is the explanation of Renault CEO Luca de Meo, as he responded to rumours that Cyril Abiteboul was ousted as team boss due to the team’s poor performance. However, RTL quotes de […]
Alonso knows 2021 wins ‘impossible’ – Prost
Apr.6 (GMM) Fernando Alonso knows that winning races in 2021 is “impossible”, according to Alpine team advisor Alain Prost. Alonso’s long-time manager and mentor Flavio Briatore has told the Italian news agency Adnkronos that the returning Spaniard was “disappointed” with the start of his comeback year. “I spoke to him on the phone,” he said. […]