Dec.21 (GMM) Jean Todt has played down expectations that Formula 1 might get back to “normal” in 2021. With the covid pandemic still raging in the days before Christmas, the FIA president cast doubt on whether the 23-race calendar will play out as scheduled. “2020 was a great season in which we experienced a lot […]
Verstappen not as good as Hamilton yet – Webber
Dec.21 (GMM) Max Verstappen is not yet as good as seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton. That is the view of Mark Webber, a former Red Bull driver who admitted to admiring Dutch 23-year-old Verstappen’s talent. “He is in the final phase of fine-tuning his craft, if I can put it that way,” the Australian […]
Red Bull to announce Perez deal on Friday
Dec.18 (GMM) The last two race seats on the 2021 Formula 1 grid look set to be confirmed with just days to spare before Christmas. After a full year of speculation, Mercedes hinted on Twitter that the world champions will finally make an announcement about Lewis Hamilton’s new contract “soon”. “I plan to be here […]
Nicolas Todt plays down his Ferrari power
Dec.18 (GMM) Jean Todt’s son has sniggered at suggestions he is in charge at Ferrari. Nicolas Todt, the son of former Ferrari boss and now FIA president Jean Todt, is Charles Leclerc’s manager. So with Sebastian Vettel departing the Maranello team and Leclerc clearly the number 1 going forwards, some believe the Todts have simply […]
Vasseur not sure why Schumacher went to Haas
Dec.18 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur says he isn’t sure why Ferrari has placed Mick Schumacher at rival Ferrari-powered team Haas for 2021 and beyond. “Beats me,” the Alfa Romeo boss told Blick newspaper. “Maybe it made more sense for Ferrari to take Mick to Haas and keep Giovanazzi with us for the stability of the team. […]
F1 should ‘analyse’ why 2005 car so spectacular
Dec.18 (GMM) Formula 1 should “analyse” why Fernando Alonso’s 2005-spec Renault aroused so much positive feedback when the Spaniard demonstrated it in Abu Dhabi last weekend. Over several runs, the two-time world champion drove the 15-year-old, V10-powered, 605 kilogram car flat-out around the Yas Marina layout, to the delight of those present and the television […]
Russell to Mercedes was ‘most interesting’ – Alonso
Dec.17 (GMM) Assessing the talent of young drivers in Formula 1 has become increasingly difficult, according to returning two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. After two years out of a race seat, the Spaniard says he is still in top physical and mental shape at the age of 39. “Psychophysical tests show that I am as […]
2020 at Ferrari ‘agony’ for Vettel – Villeneuve
Dec.17 (GMM) 2020 was “agony” for quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel, but he also has reason to “laugh”. That is the view of the always-controversial 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, as he spoke to Sky Italia about the German’s last gasp before being ousted by Ferrari. “It was a very tough year for Vettel,” said […]
Red Bull now turns attention to Albon seat
Dec.17 (GMM) With Alpha Tauri’s 2021 lineup now complete, owner Red Bull will turn its attention to the identity of Max Verstappen’s next teammate at the senior outfit. The open secret about Honda-backed Yuki Tsunoda making his Formula 1 debut for Alpha Tauri next year in Daniil Kvyat’s place was finally confirmed on Wednesday. “Tsunoda’s […]
Hamilton’s contract talks about ‘money’ – Berger
Dec.17 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s pre-2021 contract negotiations with Toto Wolff will be about “money”. That is the view of F1 legend Gerhard Berger, who says George Russell’s highly impressive substitute drive in an ill Hamilton’s place in Bahrain gave Mercedes boss Wolff more chips to play with. “I would call it a matter of money,” […]
Verstappen-Perez a ‘strong lineup’ – Berger
Dec.16 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger says Sergio Perez alongside Max Verstappen would be a “strong lineup” for Red Bull. It is believed the energy drink company will finally confirm on Wednesday that Yuki Tsunoda – already in action in the young driver test – will replace Daniil Kvyat at the junior team Alpha Tauri […]
Horner ‘positive’ about Red Bull’s 2022 engine talks
Dec.16 (GMM) Christian Horner is feeling “positive” about Red Bull’s efforts to take over departing partner Honda’s works engine program for 2022 and beyond. Recently, the energy drink team had gained the tentative support of some rivals in pushing for a development ‘freeze’ for 2022, which would make running Honda’s engines viable after the Japanese […]
Williams can beat two rival teams in 2021 – Russell
Dec.16 (GMM) George Russell wants to pull Williams off the very bottom of the constructors’ world championship next year. The team, whose founder Sir Frank Williams is currently in hospital for an undisclosed reason, finished the 2020 race dead last. That is despite the fact that, at the wheel of the works Mercedes, Williams regular […]
Vettel calls Leclerc ‘most talented driver’
Dec.15 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has hailed the talent and nature of the driver one Italian newspaper claims “pushed him to the exit” at Ferrari. After the Abu Dhabi GP, where they were Ferrari teammates for the final time, Charles Leclerc – who had painted his helmet in tribute to Vettel – swapped his helmet with […]
Montezemolo says he could ‘fix’ Ferrari
Dec.15 (GMM) Ferrari’s iconic former president Luca di Montezemolo claims he could “fix” the fabled team’s current problems. As the Italian outfit’s horror 2020 season came to an end, news that current Ferrari president Louis Camilleri has stepped down shocked the Formula 1 paddock in Abu Dhabi last weekend. “Is it possible that I will […]
Bottas to do Arctic Lapland Rally in January
Dec.15 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas plans to return to competition – in January. Disappointed with his fourth consecutive title defeat to Lewis Hamilton, and recently humiliated alongside George Russell in the Sakhir GP, the Finn plans to unwind by staying active. “If it takes place, I’ll be on the start line,” the Mercedes driver told Ilta […]
Father not sure who Verstappen’s 2021 teammate will be
Dec.15 (GMM) Jos Verstappen says he doesn’t know who his son Max’s teammate will be at Red Bull in 2021. It is a sure sign that the energy drink outfit is actually yet to decide between Alex Albon, Sergio Perez or Nico Hulkenberg. “No, I really don’t know,” Jos told Ziggo Sport. “I haven’t heard […]
Fittipaldi wants to keep ‘one foot in F1’
Dec.15 (GMM) Pietro Fittipaldi wants to race in 2021 but “keep one foot in Formula 1” at the same time. The grandson of F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi contested the last two grands prix of 2020 for Haas, after Romain Grosjean’s fiery crash. “I’m happy with my performance in relation to Kevin (Magnussen),” he said after […]
Grosjean to undergo surgery on left hand
Dec.15 (GMM) Romain Grosjean is set to undergo surgery in the wake of his horror and fiery crash in Bahrain. The Frenchman missed the final two grands prix of his Formula 1 career as a result of the burns to his hands. “I could almost live normally with my right hand already,” Grosjean, 34, told […]
Steiner says he can ‘control’ Mazepin
Dec.15 (GMM) Gunther Steiner thinks he can get 2021 Haas recruit Nikita Mazepin “under control”. 21-year-old Mazepin is entering F1 with an instantly-tarnished reputation, and not just because his father is a powerful Russian billionaire. In 2016, he came under fire for punching Callum Ilott, he was slammed for dangerous driving in Bahrain recently, and […]