Feb.24 (GMM) Robert Kubica has raised his eyebrows at news that Formula 1 will experiment with a sprint race format at three grands prix in 2021. The Pole’s Alfa Romeo colleague Antonio Giovinazzi, on the other hand, defended the move to trial a format with Friday qualifying and then a short Saturday sprint race that […]
Alfa Romeo ‘had to use less fuel’ in 2020 – Salo
Feb.24 (GMM) A former Formula 1 driver turned steward may have let slip a secret about Ferrari’s controversial and undisclosed FIA deal that followed the engine legality scandal of 2019. Last year, all Ferrari-powered teams took a major and unexplained hit in engine power as a result of the secret FIA settlement with the Maranello […]
F1 teams receive FIA’s prototype sustainable fuel
Feb.24 (GMM) Teams have received their first official sample of a sustainable fuel the FIA has developed for use in Formula 1 in forthcoming seasons. Starting in 2022, F1’s governing body wants the fuel used by the teams and manufacturers to contain 10 percent bioethanol, with that percentage then gradually increasing year-on-year until the fuel […]
Departing Honda ‘not satisfied’ without 2021 title
Feb.24 (GMM) Honda has set a lofty goal for its last official season in Formula 1 for now – the title. “We have not yet reached our goal of being champions,” said Masashi Yamamoto, managing director of the Japanese manufacturer’s F1 program. He was speaking on the day Red Bull’s 2021 car was revealed – […]
Wolff comments to ‘create tension’ – Marko
Feb.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff is “trying to create tension with words” by playing up the chances of Mercedes’ rivals ahead of the 2021 season. That is the view of Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko, after Wolff on Monday said the new floor regulations could make Red Bull and even Aston Martin the favourites. On Red […]
Aston Martin must aim for the front – Wolff
Feb.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he expects Aston Martin to shine in Formula 1 this year. Following Lawrence Stroll’s takeover of Force India, Stroll called the team Racing Point and last year impressed with the ‘pink Mercedes’ car. Now, with Wolff also buying into Aston Martin with a minor shareholding, Stroll is taking the carmaker’s […]
2021 Ferrari engine will be better – Vasseur
Feb.23 (GMM) Ferrari’s new engine for 2021 will be much better, according to Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur. He was speaking as the new Alfa was revealed in Warsaw, which not only features a re-shaped nose but also a new Ferrari engine following the performance slump of 2020. “The collaboration (with Ferrari) is going very […]
Red Bull team is ‘super disorganised’ – Albers
Feb.23 (GMM) There are “much more professional” teams in Formula 1 than Red Bull. That is the astonishing opinion of the energy drink owned stable revealed by former F1 driver Christijan Albers. He told De Telegraaf that Red Bull has taken a huge risk by pushing so hard for the engine development ‘freeze’ so as […]
Grosjean eyes covid fill-in role in 2021
Feb.23 (GMM) Romain Grosjean thinks he would be near the top of the list should an opportunity open up in Formula 1 this season. Actually, the former Haas driver is currently in the US, where his burned hands have healed to the point at which he can test the Indycar he will race in 2021. […]
Albon still has ‘potential’ – Horner
Feb.23 (GMM) Alex Albon has kept his place at Red Bull because he has “potential”. That is the view of team boss Christian Horner, who defended going outside the Red Bull driver program to sign up Sergio Perez as Albon’s replacement for 2021. “We all wanted Alex to keep his seat,” Horner told Auto Motor […]
Alfa prefers Giovinazzi over Schumacher for 2021
Feb.23 (GMM) Alfa Romeo technical boss Jan Monchaux says the team is “satisfied” with Antonio Giovinazzi. However, many in the paddock were surprised when Ferrari decided to keep the Italian on board for another season rather than replace him with Mick Schumacher. “We certainly had thoughts in that direction,” Monchaux admitted to Sky Deutschland. “But […]
F1 should tweak new ‘sprint race’ idea – Ecclestone
Feb.22 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is worried Formula 1 could make a grave mistake with the new ‘sprint race’ format. Friday qualifying and a Saturday sprint race will be trialled at three races this year. So far, the idea is being backed by the teams. “If you never try anything, you’ll never know what will work,” […]
Red Bull targets Mercedes with ‘B’ car
Feb.22 (GMM) Red Bull is hoping to finally beat Mercedes this year with a ‘B’ car. Team boss Christian Horner says that although the 2020 car was called the RB16, “there will never be an RB17”. “Next year’s car will be RB18,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. “This season is the first time we’re […]
McLaren drivers better than Aston Martin’s – Jordan
Feb.22 (GMM) A fascinating midfield battle is shaping up between McLaren and Aston Martin for the 2021 season. For his part, McLaren supremo Zak Brown is playing down the Woking based team’s chances of taking on Aston Martin – who will have quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel at the wheel. “Given the car they have […]
Tsunoda to struggle at some tracks – Tost
Feb.22 (GMM) Franz Tost is expecting a mixed first season of Formula 1 for Alpha Tauri’s 2021 rookie Yuki Tsunoda. The 20-year-old Japanese arrives in F1 with Honda’s support, and he has adjusted to life at the pinnacle of motorsport with recent private winter testing in a 2018 car at Imola and Misano. It is […]
No F1 spectators ‘until summer’ – Domenicali
Feb.22 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali doubts spectators will be allowed to watch Formula 1 races at the circuits “until the summer”. The 2020 season was badly affected by the pandemic, but the sport’s new CEO Domenicali is currently aiming for all 23 currently-scheduled grands prix to go ahead. According to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, the vaccines […]
No ‘green Mercedes’ saga in 2021 – Domenicali
Feb.22 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali doesn’t think the ‘pink Mercedes’ controversy will reignite in 2021. In light of the tweaked aerodynamic rules for the new season, Toto Wolff is warning that it cannot be ruled out that “Red Bull or Aston Martin” will leap to the front of the field. Last year, Racing Point was at […]
Honda fast-tracked 2022 engine for new season
Feb.22 (GMM) Honda has prepared a more reliable and powerful engine in order to “leave Formula 1 with a bang” at the end of 2021. That is the news from technical boss Toyoharu Tanabe, although he admits to being happy that Red Bull will continue to use Honda-based engines after the Japanese manufacturer quits officially […]
Ocon, Russell in the running for 2022 – Wolff
Feb.22 (GMM) Toto Wolff has named two drivers who may be in the running to succeed either Lewis Hamilton or Valtteri Bottas in 2022. At the same time, the Mercedes team boss played down the fact that seven time world champion Hamilton has only signed a less-than-one-year contract extension for this season. “The reason was […]
Red Bull, Aston Martin could lead in 2021 – Wolff
Feb.22 (GMM) Toto Wolff is warning that Mercedes may be overtaken in 2021. His counterpart at Red Bull, however – Christian Horner – warns that the reigning champions remain the clear favourites to keep dominating this year. “They had an incredible car last year and the main features of it will be at the start […]