Jan.28 (GMM) The newly revised turn 10 at the Spanish GP venue in Barcelona will be “faster”, according to former F1 driver Pedro de la Rosa. In recent weeks, the Circuit de Catalunya has been working on the reprofiling of the corner, which was approved by both the FIA and MotoGP governing body FIM. “It […]
Early start for 2022 not possible – Binotto
Jan.28 (GMM) Ferrari has denied that the 2022 regulations are a perfect opportunity to ‘do a Mercedes’ and set up a new period of dominance for the future. Some are comparing Ferrari’s current situation with Mercedes in 2013 – less competitive in the moment, but getting a head-start in development for the new ‘power unit’ […]
‘Goal’ is to catch and beat Verstappen – Perez
Jan.28 (GMM) It is too soon to say if Sergio Perez will still be Max Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate in 2022. That is the word from Dr Helmut Marko, who said he decided to only sign the Mexican driver up for 2021. “First we will look carefully at how well the two sides fit together,” […]
Bottas has ‘no chance’ of beating Hamilton – Berger
Jan.28 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has “no chance” of beating seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2021. That is the view of F1 legend Gerhard Berger – even though Hamilton is yet to even sign a new contract for the forthcoming world championship. However, Finn Bottas declared this week that, notwithstanding the unknown identity of […]
Brawn denies stepping down as F1 boss
Jan.28 (GMM) Ross Brawn has rubbished reports that he may be stepping down as Formula 1’s managing director. Some had predicted that Brawn would follow hot on the heels of the departure of F1 CEO Chase Carey, who has now been replaced at Liberty Media by Stefano Domenicali. “I have no idea where the rumours […]
Indycar team would ‘love’ Grosjean for 2021
Jan.28 (GMM) Indycar team owner Dale Coyne has confirmed speculation that Romain Grosjean is in the running for a 2021 seat. Some expected that a press conference that was called on Wednesday was for Dale Coyne Racing to announce the Grosjean deal. In fact, it was for confirmation that Ed Jones will drive one of […]
Too early to accept Dutch GP ‘ghost race’ – Lammers
Jan.28 (GMM) Dutch GP boss Jan Lammers says it is too early to say September’s scheduled event at Zandvoort will have to proceed without spectators. Last year, Zandvoort opted out of the ‘ghost race’ scenario amid the pandemic because the structure of the event was always planned for the mass attendance of Dutch fans. Medical […]
Sainz ‘doesn’t need my advice’ – Leclerc
Jan.28 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says his new Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz “does not need any advice”. 23-year-old Leclerc, described by team boss Mattia Binotto as the new “leader” after Sebastian Vettel’s exit, was speaking at Fiorano on Wednesday as Sainz made his Ferrari debut at the wheel of a 2018 car. “If he has come […]
Ferrari ‘not properly organised’ – Montezemolo
Jan.28 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has hit out at a Ferrari team he says is “not properly organised”. “Ferrari’s 2020 championship was a disaster,” he told the German magazine Sport Bild. “In the past, even third place was considered a failure for Ferrari.” Now 73, Montezemolo presided over Maranello not only during the Niki Lauda […]
Renault using F1 for its media power – de Meo
Jan.28 (GMM) Renault is using the Alpine brand in Formula 1 for “media” purposes – not for the development of technology. That is the revelation of Luca de Meo, the new Renault CEO who decided to re-brand the French carmaker’s works F1 outfit as Alpine for 2021 and beyond. That is despite the fact that […]
Honda making ‘huge step’ for final F1 engine
Jan.27 (GMM) Honda is apparently pressing hard on the throttle for its last season in Formula 1 for now. Following the Japanese giant’s decision to quit the sport at the end of 2021, it is believed managers of the F1 program decided to fast-forward the development of an all-new engine originally intended for 2022. “I […]
Two drivers would have won in Hamilton’s car – Berger
Jan.27 (GMM) Two other drivers would have also won the 2020 world championship at the wheel of Lewis Hamilton’s car. That is the view of F1 legend Gerhard Berger, who nonetheless thinks seven time world champion Hamilton remains the best driver on the grid for now. “Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen are two excellent drivers, […]
Alonso hoping 2022 rules improve F1 problems
Jan.27 (GMM) Fernando Alonso may be returning to Formula 1 this year, but he is hoping the sport becomes significantly better in 2022. The two-time world champion, who has been on sabbatical for two years, is referring to the sweeping new regulations that have been delayed until 2022 due to the pandemic. “I think the […]
Leclerc to become Ferrari ‘leader’ – Binotto
Jan.27 (GMM) Charles Leclerc is on course to be a “leader” in the style of Ferrari great Michael Schumacher. That is the view of team boss Mattia Binotto, as Leclerc recovered from his recent covid infection to test Ferrari’s 2018 car at Fiorano on Tuesday. “It was fantastic to drive again,” Leclerc said. “It was […]
Red Bull must keep waiting for engine ‘freeze’ news
Jan.27 (GMM) Red Bull must continue to wait before being able to confirm its plans to manage its own Honda-based engine program for 2022 and beyond. Earlier, Dr Helmut Marko said he expected to hear this week if the FIA and the other teams agree to an engine development ‘freeze’ that would make Red Bull’s […]
Gasly approach to Red Bull ‘didn’t work’ – Verstappen
Jan.27 (GMM) Pierre Gasly made a fundamental error in his approach to Formula 1 that cost him the top seat at Red Bull, according to Max Verstappen. Gasly began 2020 as Verstappen’s teammate, but he struggled and lost the seat to Alex Albon – who has also now lost the place, this time to Sergio […]
Driver situation ‘must change’ in F1 – Alesi
Jan.27 (GMM) Things “must change” in Formula 1 to give young drivers a better chance of securing a seat. That is the view of former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi, who this week watched his son Giuliano test a F1 car – for the first and the last time. “I will continue to watch and follow […]
Hamilton contract saga ‘doesn’t matter’ – Bottas
Jan.27 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he will try to beat whoever is at the wheel of the other Mercedes car in 2021. His comments come as the almost farcical saga over Lewis Hamilton’s unsigned 2021 contract continues. A Russian commentator, Sergey Sirotkin’s former manager Nikolai Vetrov, told Sportbox that the seven time world champion should […]
Hamilton contract uncertainty to end in ‘days’
Jan.26 (GMM) The uncertainty about Lewis Hamilton’s future will be “cleared up in the next few days”. That is the view of Felix Gorner, the F1 correspondent for the German broadcasters RTL and n-tv. His comments come after Toto Wolff broke his recent silence on the matter to admit he and Hamilton have been “arguing” […]
Vettel plays down Red Bull-Aston Martin comparison
Jan.26 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has played down the comparison between his arrival at Aston Martin this year and the way he dominated at Red Bull between 2010 and 2013. The German won all four of his titles at Red Bull, but following his ousting by Ferrari many are now drawing comparisons with his involvement in […]