Apr.3 (GMM) F1 track designer Hermann Tilke says it “hurts” that Formula 1 has not touched down in Vietnam this weekend for the inaugural Hanoi street race. So far in 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has meant that all racing and most other sports all around the world have stopped for now. Asked to explain his […]
‘Cracks’ in Wolff-Mercedes relationship – Albers
Apr.3 (GMM) “Hairline cracks” have emerged in the otherwise seamless F1 operation at Mercedes. That is the view of former F1 driver Christijan Albers, who according to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf retains links to Mercedes after his time in DTM. “I have heard from my network that hairline cracks are developing at Mercedes,” said […]
Teams to discuss lower 2021 budget cap
Apr.3 (GMM) Formula 1 teams are vowing to be “flexible” in order to pave the way for a “recovery” from the coronavirus crisis. That is the claim of Frederic Vasseur, boss of the Alfa Romeo team who along with Haas and Williams are the most obviously exposed by the current lack of racing. “We are […]
Giovinazzi joins Leclerc for virtual GP
Apr.3 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi is jumping into the world of virtual racing as he joins the rest of the world in adjusting to the coronavirus pandemic. As his country grapples with hundreds of deaths per day, the Italian is holed up alone at home. “I am taking the opportunity to do physical activity, I am […]
McLaren first F1 team to furlough staff
Apr.2 (GMM) McLaren is the first Formula 1 team to officially furlough most of its 850 staff amid the coronavirus pandemic. The temporary leave measure means that the British outfit can now make use of British government schemes to pay for much of McLaren’s staff costs. “These measures are focused on protecting jobs in the […]
Rosberg shelves smartphone amid pandemic
Apr.2 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has developed a shrewd and simple method for coping with the coronavirus pandemic – putting his smartphone away. All over the globe, stress levels about the fate of the world are skyrocketing amid the tsunami of bad news relating to the infectious disease. But 2016 world champion Rosberg told DPA news […]
F1 authorities working on survival plan – Vasseur
Apr.2 (GMM) F1’s authorities may be considering economic support to teams at risk of collapse during the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, amid rumours that both small and larger teams may not survive this period without races, Dr Helmut Marko said the FIA and FOM are working on a plan. “None of them (the teams) are […]
F1 must change to ‘save itself’ – Domenicali
Apr.2 (GMM) 2020 will be a “year of transition” for Formula 1 as it works together to survive the global pandemic. That is the prediction of former Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali, who told Italy’s Autosprint that the sport has been stopped to prioritise health. “To start the championship, you need the authorisation of countries […]
Wolff ‘discussing’ F1 future with Daimler
Apr.2 (GMM) Toto Wolff says working with Mercedes remains the “priority” in his career. In recent weeks and months, speculation has linked the Austrian with Lawrence Stroll, who announced on Wednesday that plans to rebrand Racing Point as Aston Martin from 2021 remain on track despite the pandemic. “I am committed to Formula 1 with […]
Racing in July ‘would be a miracle’
Apr.2 (GMM) British GP promoters will decide by the end of this month if the F1 race at Silverstone can go ahead in July. On the official Formula 1 website, the race calendar has been removed completely and replaced with an explanation that an alternative schedule is “likely to differ significantly”. However, Silverstone is yet […]
Idle racing drivers’ mental health at risk – Zlobin
Apr.2 (GMM) A former F1 test driver says he fears for the mental health of fellow racers who are currently sitting on the sidelines amid the pandemic. “I am afraid that many drivers will be having serious stress and depression,” said Sergey Zlobin, who over a decade ago became the first Russian test driver in […]
2020 Canada GP ‘impossible’ – Carpentier
Apr.2 (GMM) Patrick Carpentier, a Canadian racing driver, thinks it is basically “impossible” that Montreal will be able to host its grand prix in June. Race promoter Francois Dumontier estimates the probability of a Canadian GP this year at 50-50, but Carpentier told La Presse that he is much less optimistic. “Ferrari is an important […]
Horner trusts owner Liberty to stand by F1
Apr.1 (GMM) Christian Horner says he trusts Liberty Media to stand firm with Formula 1 throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of crowning winners in Australia and Bahrain and looking ahead to round three in Vietnam, the sport is currently at a complete and indefinite standstill. Initially, there were fears the smallest teams may not survive […]
Aston Martin still racing towards F1
Apr.1 (GMM) Aston Martin is still racing towards Formula 1. Before the global pandemic struck, the troubled British carmaker and Red Bull title sponsor was rescued by a group headed by billionaire Racing Point team owner Lawrence Stroll. Throughout that time, rumours of a tie-up with current Mercedes boss Toto Wolff have been rampant. “As […]
‘Rethink everything’ amid pandemic – Stuck
Apr.1 (GMM) Everything has been called into question because of the global pandemic, according to German motor racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck. F1’s current factory shutdown has now been extended to the engine plants, and teams are reportedly discussing delaying the 2021 regulations for yet another year – to 2023. Not just that, the World Motor […]
2008-like F1 manufacturer exodus possible – Theissen
Apr.1 (GMM) BMW’s former F1 boss Mario Theissen says it is “of course” possible that the sport could witness an exodus of car manufacturers amidst the global pandemic. After the global financial crisis struck in 2008, four manufacturers involved in Formula 1 – Honda, Toyota, Renault and the Theissen-led BMW – withdrew from the series […]
Marko denies wanting to ‘deliberately’ infect drivers
Apr.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has denied reports that he wanted Red Bull’s racing drivers to be “deliberately” infected with coronavirus. The energy drink company’s top motorsport chief caused a stir with comments he made recently to the Austrian broadcaster ORF. He suggested drivers including Max Verstappen and Alex Albon should attend a training camp […]
Silverstone ideal to restart 2020 – Brundle
Apr.1 (GMM) Silverstone could be the ideal scene of the first race of 2020. That is the view of British former driver turned respected commentator Martin Brundle, as the F1 world hopes desperately for some track action in the second half of the year. “I think the entire first half of the season will be […]
One-year Concorde for 2021 possible – report
Mar.31 (GMM) Negotiations over the 2021 Concorde Agreement have been put on ice. Talks about the expiring deal, which crucially regulates the distribution of income and the governance structure, were on track when the coronavirus pandemic struck. Suddenly, there are no races and F1’s NASDAQ share price has slumped. “Before any team signs up for […]
Coronavirus ‘ERTE’ scheme ‘imminent’ in F1 – Sainz
Mar.31 (GMM) Formula 1 will need to introduce a scheme to protect its economy and workforce amid the global pandemic, according to Carlos Sainz’s father. Sainz senior, a rallying legend, said he thinks a scheme called Temporary Employment Regulation File (ERTE) will now be “imminent” in F1. Already now coming into play in the world […]