Jan.11 (GMM) There is “no reason to question” Valtteri Bottas’ place at Mercedes, boss Toto Wolff insists. Speculation the Finn might be ousted accelerated when he was out-shone by Lewis Hamilton’s substitute George Russell in Bahrain. Even seven time world champion Hamilton has told GP Racing magazine that Russell’s recent performances reminded him of what […]
Ferrari academy drivers ‘all had money’ – Villeneuve
Jan.11 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve says members of Ferrari’s driver development program would succeed even without the backing of the Maranello-based ‘academy’. The 1997 world champion says the notable exception is Charles Leclerc. “Except Leclerc, the rest of the academy drivers all had money in their pockets before getting there,” he told Sky Italia. Current high-profile […]
Verstappen predicts big Mick Schumacher ‘hype’
Jan.11 (GMM) It will be more difficult for Mick Schumacher to enter Formula 1 than it was for Max Verstappen – another son of a famous former driver. Speaking with f1-insider.com, Red Bull driver Verstappen said he has known Mick since the pair were toddlers, when Michael Schumacher and Jos Verstappen got together on spare […]
Jos Verstappen says Red Bull ‘maybe worse than Ferrari’
Jan.11 (GMM) Jos Verstappen admits that his son Max will probably never share a team with Lewis Hamilton – but he “wouldn’t mind” if it does happen. “I would only applaud that. Then it will be clear, wouldn’t it?” said the former F1 driver. Indeed, Verstappen senior says his 23-year-old son is more than ready […]
Australian GP ‘will be postponed’ – Stroll
Jan.8 (GMM) Lawrence Stroll admits that the season-opening Australian GP will be postponed. The rumour about Melbourne not being able to host the first race of 2021 as scheduled on March 21 comes amid tough coronavirus restrictions in the country and the reportedly more virulent covid-19 strain circulating the UK. “This has not been officially […]
Verstappen aims to ‘destroy’ new teammate Perez
Jan.8 (GMM) Max Verstappen says his aim is to “destroy” his teammates in Formula 1. It is an ominous warning for the experienced Sergio Perez, who is replacing Alex Albon after the British-born Thai struggled to keep up with Verstappen at Red Bull last year. “The lack of consistency was the decisive factor,” team official […]
Steiner sure Haas pairing won’t get ‘out of hand’
Jan.8 (GMM) Gunther Steiner is not worried that Haas’ new all-rookie driver lineup will descend into a personal spat. Amid a social media campaign to oust him after a high profile groping incident, Russian Mazepin caught more attention this week by insisting that he and fellow 21-year-old Mick Schumacher are “not friends”. Team boss Steiner […]
Mercedes slams ‘pure fiction’ Hamilton rumours
Jan.8 (GMM) Mercedes has hit out at what it calls the “pure fiction” of rumours swirling around the future of Lewis Hamilton. The seven time world champion has kicked off 2021 without a contract, amid speculation Mercedes is balking at his demands for a EUR 40 million salary, a $3m AMG-One hypercar, and a 10 […]
Brivio’s F1 inexperience not a problem – Briatore
Jan.8 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has backed Renault’s apparent decision to sign up MotoGP team Suzuki boss Davide Brivio for 2021 and beyond. Amid speculation of the deal that could see Valentino Rossi’s former boss become team principal at Alpine this year, Brivio on Thursday confirmed his MotoGP exit. “A new professional challenge and opportunity suddenly […]
McLaren ‘not inferior’ to works teams – Ricciardo
Jan.7 (GMM) McLaren is “in no way inferior” to Formula 1’s fully manufacturer-backed teams, Daniel Ricciardo insists. The Australian shocked the F1 paddock during the covid shutdown of last season by announcing his move from the works Renault team to McLaren for 2021. “After the Carlos Sainz news, I realised that it was time for […]
Mercedes ‘slowed itself down’ in Abu Dhabi
Jan.7 (GMM) Mercedes was “half a second slower than normal” as the 2020 season came to an end in Abu Dhabi last month. That is the claim of a Red Bull-Honda source, even though team boss Christian Horner heralded Max Verstappen’s dominant victory as a potential turning point ahead of a title bid in 2021. […]
Mazepin ‘not friends’ with teammate Schumacher
Jan.7 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin has kicked off his relationship with new Haas teammate Mick Schumacher by insisting the rookies are “not friends”. Schumacher, who has also been signed by the American team for 2021, said recently that he knows the controversial Russian from their karting days. “He was very nice and there was a healthy […]
‘Things starting to change’ at Williams – boss
Jan.7 (GMM) “Things are starting to change” at Williams ahead of the 2021 season. That is the news from the team’s new boss Simon Roberts, who replaced Claire Williams last year as Williams was taken over by Dorilton Capital. “They own nine other companies,” he revealed. “This is their tenth acquisition and all of their […]
Alpine planning ‘half new’ car for 2021
Jan.7 (GMM) As Renault transitions to Alpine for 2021, technical director Pat Fry says the team will be able to roll out a “half new” car for the forthcoming world championship. Italian publications La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera are reporting that MotoGP team Suzuki’s boss Davide Brivio is set to join Alpine […]
Rookie Mazepin ‘unbothered’ by criticism
Jan.6 (GMM) Haas is not bowing to social pressure to oust 2021 recruit Nikita Mazepin. Some social media users, including members of the specialist Formula 1 media, called on the American team to oust the Russian rookie after footage emerged of Mazepin allegedly groping a female friend. “Haas F1 Team would like to reaffirm that […]
Vettel slams F1’s ‘green’ strategy
Jan.6 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has hit out at Formula 1 for not doing enough amid the new ‘green’ environmental trends. “Formula 1 should channel its competitive spirit, ambition, knowledge and speed of development so that relevant technologies are developed for everyone,” the quadruple world champion told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper. The sport switched to hybrid […]
Magnussen needs winning car for F1 return
Jan.6 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he is not interested in returning to Formula 1 with a back-of-the-grid seat. Having lost his Haas seat, the 28-year-old Dane is heading across the Atlantic for 2021 with a top seat in American sports cars. His first race will be the famous 24 hour race at Daytona at the […]
Marko eyes Bottas-like role for Perez
Jan.6 (GMM) Sergio Perez should do a Valtteri Bottas-like job at Red Bull in 2021. That is the news from Dr Helmut Marko, who admits that the DTM-bound Alex Albon was unable to be consistently close enough to Max Verstappen last year. “Perez has to be within attack range of Verstappen in the race,” Marko […]
Albon’s F1 career ‘not over’ – Marko
Jan.6 (GMM) Alex Albon’s Formula 1 career is not over, according to top Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko. With Sergio Perez replacing him for 2021, British-born Thai driver Albon is retaining Red Bull’s backing as he moves into the German touring car series DTM. “Alex Albon is a young, ambitious racing driver and an […]
Daimler yet to agree to new Hamilton deal
Jan.6 (GMM) The new year has begun without Lewis Hamilton having signed a new contract with Mercedes. According to sources, including Italy’s Corriere dello Sport, team parent Daimler is balking at the new seven time world champion’s contract demands. For instance, it is claimed the almost 36-year-old wants EUR 40 million per season for four […]