Aug.16 (GMM) Pole position will be possible for Red Bull once the FIA bans ‘party mode’ engine settings. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, after Max Verstappen once again qualified behind the two Mercedes in Barcelona. When asked about reports that only one engine setting will be allowed from the next race at […]
Wolff to withdraw as F1 team ‘mediator’
Aug.16 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he may no longer volunteer to act as a “mediator” between rival Formula 1 teams in future. Earlier in Barcelona, the Austrian admitted that some of his activities beyond his role as Mercedes team boss “p**ses some people off”. His comments followed reports that Wolff was getting involved in talks […]
Hamilton says Wolff not key to contract decision
Aug.16 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says Toto Wolff’s next career move will not influence his decision about whether to sign a new deal with Mercedes for 2021 and beyond. The six-time world champion has previously said that his decision will in fact be influenced by whether Wolff decides to remain Mercedes team boss. “It’s flattering that […]
No Indy 500 ‘distraction’ for Alonso in 2021 – Abiteboul
Aug.15 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has admitted he is a distant and nervous spectator of the Indianapolis 500 this month. As practice kicked off at the fabled Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the past days, Alonso admitted that returning in 2021 and 2022 will be “impossible”. “I would have to miss a F1 qualifying if I wanted […]
Honda driver Yuki Tsunoda eyes Alpha Tauri seat
Aug.15 (GMM) A clear frontrunner for an Alpha Tauri seat in 2021 has emerged. Honda-linked Formula 2 driver Yuki Tsunoda, 20, is sixth overall in his first Formula 2 campaign this year. After winning an F2 race for the first time at Silverstone, the Japanese said: “For sure I need lots of wins and above […]
Friend admits Raikkonen’s retirement is looming
Aug.15 (GMM) The signs are growing stronger that 2020 may turn out to be Kimi Raikkonen’s eighteenth and final season in Formula 1. The 2007 world champion is now regularly among the very slowest drivers in the field, as Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo openly struggles with its 2020 car. And Raikkonen’s long-time racing driver friend Toni […]
Mercedes ‘will not like’ party mode ban – Verstappen
Aug.15 (GMM) Toto Wolff has warned Mercedes’ rivals against celebrating the forthcoming ban on so-called ‘party mode’ engine settings too soon. Earlier in Barcelona, Lewis Hamilton said he thinks the FIA’s plans to mandate just a single engine setting for both qualifying and the grand prix from the next race at Spa is a clear […]
Verstappen ‘not thinking about’ 2020 title yet
Aug.15 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he is “not thinking about” winning the 2020 world championship yet. That is despite the fact that he beat both earlier-dominant Mercedes cars last weekend at Silverstone, when the reigning world champions struck tyre trouble. But Dutchman Verstappen says that isn’t enough to declare his Red Bull-Honda a title-winning car. […]
Ferrari, Vettel will not split mid-season – Binotto
Aug.15 (GMM) Mattia Binotto insists that Ferrari will not split with Sebastian Vettel before the end of the 2020 season. As their relationship appeared to break down almost completely at Silverstone, rumours abounded that Ferrari might choose to imminently replace the quadruple world champion with a candidate like Kimi Raikkonen. “Oh I don’t know, I […]
Mercedes ready to sign 2021 Concorde – Wolff
Aug.15 (GMM) Mercedes is now ready to sign the new Concorde Agreement. At Silverstone recently, it emerged that Toto Wolff was essentially the only team boss unhappy with the financial terms of the new deal which he said would leave Mercedes as the “biggest victim”. “I’ve changed my opinion,” he now says at Silverstone, following […]
Wolff admits he might take on new F1 ‘role’
Aug.15 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted he might step down as Mercedes’ team boss. It is well known that the Austrian is discussing his future with Daimler CEO Ola Kallenius, amid rumours their relationship is shaky. Wolff denies that, but he does admit that after many years of leading the dominant works team to multiple […]
Ecclestone scolds Stroll over ‘pink Mercedes’ affair
Aug.14 (GMM) Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has scolded Lawrence Stroll following his fellow billionaire’s comments about the ‘pink Mercedes’ affair. As the legality of Racing Point’s 2020 car looks set to move on to the international court of appeal, team owner Stroll launched a vigorous defence of his integrity. “I do not often speak […]
Ocon admits not yet back up to speed in F1
Aug.14 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he is still getting back up to speed in Formula 1. The Frenchman lost his Force India seat at the end of 2018, but he retained the support of Mercedes and for this year has returned on a two-year deal with the works Renault team. However, while teammate Daniel Ricciardo […]
Alfa Romeo, Haas confirm Hulkenberg talks
Aug.14 (GMM) After Nico Hulkenberg revealed talks with ‘two teams’ about 2021, the identity of those teams is now clear. “The short answer is yes,” said the German driver when asked if he has talked with Frederic Vasseur, a friend and former boss from his junior series days and now in charge of the Alfa […]
Perez, Vettel keep F1 driver market alight
Aug.14 (GMM) Between Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel, the driver market in Formula 1 is enjoying a particularly exciting moment. At Silverstone, Mexican Perez was not only out with coronavirus, but looking likely to lose his Racing Point – or Aston Martin – seat to Vettel for 2021. But in Barcelona, Perez is virus-free and […]
Sainz would welcome Jerez back to F1
Aug.14 (GMM) Adding Jerez to F1’s 2020 ‘corona calendar’ would be good news for Formula 1 and Spain. That is the view of Spaniard Carlos Sainz, as he prepares for his home race in Barcelona this weekend. There are rumours that with Formula 1 still targeting a full calendar of up to 18 races in […]
Red Bull eyeing pole at Spa after ‘party mode’ ban
Aug.14 (GMM) A sudden and surprise rule change in Formula 1 is a “golden opportunity” for Red Bull. After the earlier-dominant Mercedes struggled badly with mandatory higher tyre pressures at Silverstone, it now emerges that the FIA is planning to immediately ban ‘party mode’ engine settings. “It’s obviously to slow us down, as they’re always […]
Ferrari targeting ‘second place’ in 2021 – Binotto
Aug.13 (GMM) Mattia Binotto says Ferrari’s target for 2021 is second place. It comes after the famous and struggling Maranello team’s chairman John Elkann recently ruled out a realistic title challenge until 2022. Team boss Binotto admits that a big problem is that, amid the pandemic, Formula 1 decided to restrict certain areas of car […]
Portimao admits F1 deal ‘only for 2020’
Aug.13 (GMM) Circuit boss Paulo Pinheiro admits Formula 1’s Portuguese stop in 2020 may be a one-off. The Portimao venue has been drafted onto the calendar to replace one of the originally-scheduled non-European races that had to be cancelled. “The contract only runs for 2020,” circuit boss Pinheiro confirmed to Speed Week. “But if we […]
‘Brutal’ quarantine awaits for Alfa Romeo staff
Aug.13 (GMM) The forthcoming schedule for Alfa Romeo’s staff will be “brutal”, according to team manager Beat Zehnder. While the sport’s UK-based teams have been given a quarantine exemption, Swiss-based Alfa Romeo’s staff will have to go into strict isolation after attending the Spanish GP in Barcelona. “We have to go back to Switzerland before […]