Jan.6 (GMM) With Melbourne and Shanghai already in doubt, race boss Jan Lammers remains confident that Zandvoort will host Formula 1 with spectators in September. “The likelihood is that, by then, the restrictions will have become less severe and we will be able to race with an audience,” he told De Telegraaf newspaper. However, the […]
‘Normal’ 2021 season unlikely – Todt
Jan.6 (GMM) The beginning of F1’s 2021 season looks set for a major shakeup. It appears increasingly likely that the season opening race in Melbourne will be postponed, with the sport balking at the mandatory quarantine rules and the Australian federal government considering banning all travel from Britain. “I can’t see it (the race) happening,” […]
Marko defends driver program after Albon axe
Dec.23 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has defended Red Bull’s notorious driver development program – even though outsider Sergio Perez is replacing Alex Albon for 2021. It’s only a one-year deal for the experienced and on-form Mexican Perez, leaving the door open for Albon or another young driver to race in 2022 after what Marko described […]
Honda deal for 2022 ’90 percent close’ – Marko
Dec.23 (GMM) Red Bull is “85-90 percent close to a deal” to continue running Honda engines after the Japanese manufacturer’s official departure from F1 in 2022. F1’s energy drink owned camp is hoping the other manufacturers agree to a 2022 engine development ‘freeze’ that would make a Red Bull takeover of Honda’s operations viable. “This […]
Wolff unsure when he will stop as Mercedes team boss
Dec.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he isn’t sure when he will hand over the reins as Mercedes team principal. The Austrian, who has been in negotiations with Mercedes parent Daimler over his future all year, has now committed to remaining team boss for at least three more years. “For me, this year was very important,” […]
Schumacher more ‘complete’ than Hamilton – Rosberg
Dec.23 (GMM) Michael Schumacher was a more “complete” racing driver than fellow and new seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton. That is the view of 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, who is uniquely positioned to comment given that he was consecutively paired with both drivers at Mercedes before retiring. The 35-year-old German was asked by […]
Marko eyes Perez’s ‘knowledge about Mercedes engine’
Dec.22 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says Sergio Perez “deserves” to have been signed up by Red Bull for 2021. Dr Helmut Marko, the key driver decision-maker in the energy drink owned camp, revealed that impressive 2020 ‘super-sub’ Hulkenberg was “definitely a serious candidate” to replace Alex Albon at the senior team. “We carefully analysed the strengths […]
Sainz eyes longer than two-year Ferrari stay
Dec.22 (GMM) Carlos Sainz admits he hopes to stay at Ferrari for longer than the duration of his initial two-year contract. “Our common goal is for these two years to be successful,” the former McLaren driver told Spanish media after his first visit to Maranello for a seat fitting. “I come to Ferrari without an […]
Track designer defends Bahrain after Grosjean crash
Dec.22 (GMM) The designer of the Bahrain GP venue has defended the circuit’s safety measures in light of Romain Grosjean’s fiery recent crash. Most observers agree that the Frenchman was lucky to survive the incident with only burns to his hands, after the Haas car penetrated the arm-co barriers, split in half and exploded in […]
Marko hails Tsunoda’s ‘incredible overtaking’
Dec.22 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has hailed Alpha Tauri recruit Yuki Tsunoda’s “incredible overtaking manoeuvres” as the Japanese 20-year-old steps up to Formula 1 for 2021. Also raving about the Honda-backed driver’s “attacking style” is Tsunoda himself, who said this week: “I’m confident that people who see me drive will be impressed by it”. “I’m […]
Kubica, Orlen confirm 2021 Alfa Romeo deals
Dec.22 (GMM) Robert Kubica and his sponsor have confirmed that they are staying put at Alfa Romeo in 2021. Team boss Frederic Vasseur broke the news last week, revealing that reserve driver Kubica and title sponsor Orlen “were satisfied with all of our activities in the most difficult year, which is great news”. Polish oil […]
Mazepin affair ‘nothing to do with me’ – Schumacher
Dec.22 (GMM) Mick Schumacher says the controversy surrounding his 2021 Haas teammate is “nothing to do with me”. It is believed fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin is at risk of being ousted by the small American team following a backlash by sponsors, media and fans. The 21-year-old Russian is under fire for a social media post […]
Schumacher defends Hamilton after ’90 percent’ jibe
Dec.22 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has defended Lewis Hamilton, after Max Verstappen said recently that “90 percent” of all F1 drivers could win in the dominant Mercedes. Schumacher suggested that when people critique the sort of sporting dominance that his own father Michael and fellow seven time world champion Hamilton enjoyed, they often “overlook things”. “When […]
Binotto confirms ‘Haas building’ at Maranello
Dec.22 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has confirmed reports that several Ferrari employees will work on the design and development of Haas’ 2021 car – at Maranello. When it emerged that designer Simone Resta is moving to Haas with Mick Schumacher, some suggested Resta will actually remain based at Ferrari’s factory. Ferrari boss Binotto now confirms that. […]
New co-owner says ‘no sign’ Hamilton is leaving
Dec.21 (GMM) There is “no sign” that would indicate Lewis Hamilton is considering leaving Mercedes. That is the view of billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the chairman of British chemical multinational Ineos which has bought exactly one third of the reigning world champion team. Only 10 days remain on seven time world champion Hamilton’s existing Mercedes […]
Perez arrival ‘will make Verstappen nervous’
Dec.21 (GMM) The arrival of Sergio Perez at Red Bull “will make Max nervous”. That is the view of former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, who was commenting on the news that Perez will replace Alex Albon for 2021. Albon will remain reserve driver. “I can’t lie, guys. It hurts,” the British-born Thai driver […]
Ferrari wants third place in ‘transitional’ 2021
Dec.21 (GMM) Ferrari is targeting third place in the 2021 world championship. It may seem like a modest ambition, but team boss Mattia Binotto said finishing sixth this year was the Italian team’s “worst result in 40 years”. “The minimum goal is third place,” he said when asked about 2021. “That should not be impossible. […]
Schumacher to get two years at Haas – Binotto
Dec.21 (GMM) Mick Schumacher will get at least two years to settle in at Haas, according to Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto. “I think it will be very difficult for him at the start,” the Italian said, referring to the promotion to Formula 1 of Ferrari’s leading driver ‘academy’ member. “If you look at his […]
Barcelona to sign one-year F1 deal for 2021
Dec.21 (GMM) Spanish GP host Barcelona will sign a one-year contract extension for 2021 and then discuss the longer-term future with new F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. On the official 2021 calendar, the Circuit de Catalunya’s 9 May race date has been given provisional status ‘subject to contract’. One of the issues was management turmoil at […]
Ecclestone criticises Hamilton’s activism
Dec.21 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone does not agree with the way Lewis Hamilton handled his political activism in 2020. The former F1 supremo has already clashed with new seven time world champion Hamilton this year over his involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement. “There’s obviously no doubt about his talent,” 90-year-old Ecclestone told La Stampa […]