Jan.19 (GMM) The Nurburgring is open to once again serving as a substitute venue on the Formula 1 calendar. Last year, the former German GP venue stepped in as scheduled races fell victim to coronavirus restrictions. When asked if the Nurburgring might again be in the running for a replacement race slot, a spokesman said: […]
Promoter says Monaco GP will go ahead
Jan.19 (GMM) Monaco has moved quickly to scotch rumours its fabled grand prix will once again disappear from the Formula 1 calendar for a second consecutive year. There are reports that street circuits like the ones in Monte Carlo, Baku and Montreal will again fall victim to the coronavirus restrictions. But race promoter Automobile Club […]
‘Good’ that Schumacher not at winning team – Stuck
Jan.19 (GMM) It is “good” that Mick Schumacher’s Formula 1 debut will take place at the rear of the field in 2021. That is the view of German racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck, who says he relates to the 21-year-old as he also had a famous father in motor sport – Hans Stuck. “My parents raised […]
Hamilton’s contract plan ‘shattered’ – Albers
Jan.19 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s plan to boost his financial and influential power at Mercedes has been “shattered”. That is the view of former F1 driver Christijan Albers, as seven time world champion Hamilton finally breaks his 2021 silence on his long-delayed new contract for this year. Albers told De Telegraaf that he thinks the biggest […]
Hamilton contract drama ‘all for show’ – Ecclestone
Jan.18 (GMM) The drama surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 contract is “all just for show”. That is the view of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who questions the reasons behind rumours of difficult negotiations between Hamilton and Mercedes. “Apparently they disagree on the terms,” former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan told Auto Bild, revealing that one […]
Bottas won’t take Rosberg’s approach to beat Hamilton
Jan.18 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he will continue to “drive fairly” rather than emulate Nico Rosberg’s tactics in trying to beat Lewis Hamilton. 1996 world champion Damon Hill is quoted as saying: “The only way to beat Lewis is to do what Nico did and make him feel uncomfortable.” But Finn Bottas, who has now […]
Red Bull may have chosen Vettel over Perez
Jan.18 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel may have had a shot at replacing Alex Albon for 2021 if he had not signed up with Aston Martin. That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, who advised the quadruple world champion to take 2021 off rather than quickly sign for another team in the wake of his Ferrari […]
Losing Mercedes seat felt ‘strange’ – Russell
Jan.18 (GMM) George Russell says it felt “strange” when he was unable to keep racing for Mercedes in Lewis Hamilton’s place after his near-win in Bahrain. The 22-year-old Mercedes junior was called up at short notice when Hamilton tested positive for covid-19 – but had to return to his back-of-the-grid Williams cockpit a week later. […]
Portugal ‘optimistic’ about 2021 F1 calendar return
Jan.18 (GMM) Portugal’s motor racing chief is “optimistic” that Portimao could return to a second consecutive covid-affected Formula 1 calendar this year. The sport has already made amendments to its earlier-planned schedule, shifting Melbourne to November and removing Shanghai for now. Imola, also a substitute circuit in 2020, was appointed as a replacement, and now […]
Covid opens World Rally window for Bottas
Jan.18 (GMM) The ongoing covid crisis may provide Valtteri Bottas with the chance to contest Finland’s forthcoming round of the World Rally championship. The Mercedes driver has just finished sixth in the Arctic Lapland Rally, and thinks covid restrictions may now open up a window for him to stay in the country for the WRC […]
Mazepin ready for more ‘hate’ in Formula 1
Jan.18 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin thinks he is receiving more “hate” than any other Russian driver who came before him in Formula 1. However, he thinks fans and the media also treated Vitaly Petrov, Daniil Kvyat and Sergey Sirotkin unfairly. “They are all top racers, professionals, and some things that were said about them were undeserved. […]
Rosberg not interested in racing return
Jan.15 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he has no intention of returning to active motor racing competition – even for his new off-road team in the Extreme E series. Now 35, the German quit Formula 1 immediately after beating then Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton to the 2016 title. When asked why he will not appoint himself […]
Hamilton contract talks now ‘a game of chess’
Jan.15 (GMM) Mercedes is not commenting on reports about the status of Lewis Hamilton’s reportedly difficult negotiations over a new contract. Some believe the parties are arguing essentially over money, while Autosprint’s Alessandro Gargantini believes Mercedes is only putting a one-year deal worth EUR 35 million on the table. One of the sticking points could […]
Alpine eyes consistent podiums in 2022
Jan.15 (GMM) Alpine is eyeing consistent podiums in Formula 1 – in 2022. Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon achieved three podiums for Renault in 2020, before this year’s rebranding as blue, white and red Alpine. The new project will involve the return to Formula 1 of Group Lotus. Groupe Renault announced that it and Group […]
Schumacher wanted season to start in Australia
Jan.15 (GMM) Mick Schumacher admits he had been “looking forward” to making his Formula 1 debut in Australia. With the covid crisis still raging, the sport has had to postpone the opening Melbourne round until November. It means 21-year-old Schumacher’s first grand prix with Haas will now be in Bahrain. “Of course I was looking […]
Ricciardo would prefer Le Mans over Indy 500
Jan.15 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has indicated he is more likely to try his hand at Le Mans as opposed to the equally-fabled Indy 500. The Australian has moved from Renault to McLaren for 2021 – with his new team also fielding an Indycar team, and looking ahead to future outings at Le Mans and possibly […]
Title sponsor to return to Ferrari livery in 2021
Jan.15 (GMM) The controversial logos of Ferrari’s title sponsor may return to Formula 1 in 2021. Last year, although the 2020 was launched and tested with prominent Mission Winnow branding, PMI – Philip Morris International – withdrew the branding when some accused the tobacco giant of promoting smoking. But Philip Morris’ communications boss, Tommaso di […]
Less overtaking in 2020 compared to 2018, 2019
Jan.15 (GMM) Max Verstappen says it’s “basically impossible” to overtake in modern Formula 1 – and the situation got even worse in 2020. German publications Auto Motor und Sport and Auto Bild have found that while there were 32.6 and 38.9 overtakes per race on average in 2018 and 2019 respectively, that number dropped to […]
Next F1 engines could be 2000hp – Berger
Jan.14 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger has raised the tantalising prospect of 2000 horsepower engines in Formula 1. While a continuation of ‘green’ engines is a certainty beyond 2025, the sport is currently in a period of reflection about what precisely will replace the current turbo hybrid power units. “I’ll be in trouble for this, […]
Alfa Romeo’s future in F1 in doubt – report
Jan.14 (GMM) The future of the Alfa Romeo brand in Formula 1 depends on forthcoming decisions at the boardroom level, according to Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. Respected correspondent Luigi Perna is questioning the future of the Italian brand’s naming partnership with Sauber in the wake of the Fiat-Peugeot merger. The new carmaker giant will […]