Mar.27 (GMM) “The biggest crisis” in Formula 1 history could result in a mass exodus of teams. That is the dire warning of Frederic Vasseur, boss of the Alfa Romeo team formerly known as Sauber. “This is the biggest crisis – I can’t remember a situation in which Formula 1 was facing a bigger challenge,” […]
‘Distinct danger’ F1 could lose small teams
Mar.26 (GMM) David Richards has called on Liberty Media to ensure the smaller F1 teams are “looked after” amid the global pandemic and economic crash. Formerly an F1 team boss, Richards is now head of Motorsport UK, Britain’s motorsport governing body. Most Formula 1 teams are based in England, and are staring into a long […]
Red Bull not giving up on FIA-Ferrari complaint
Mar.26 (GMM) Red Bull will not simply abandon its push to get to the bottom of the secret agreement reached between the FIA and Ferrari. Before the coronavirus pandemic took over Formula 1 and the entire world, the hottest topic was a big group of teams threatening legal action over the way F1’s governing body […]
Marko thinks he had coronavirus in February
Mar.26 (GMM) One day after Flavio Briatore revealed he may have had coronavirus in December, Dr Helmut Marko is telling a similar story. “In the middle of February I had a bad cold with a strong cough,” Red Bull’s top Austrian official told f1-insider.com. “The condition lasted for ten days, which was unusually long for […]
World in store for ‘weeks’ of shutdown – Alonso
Mar.26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso thinks the world needs to brace for “many weeks” of coronavirus lockdown. The Spaniard was recently critical of his own country’s response to the global pandemic, which is now leading to dire news similar to that seen in China and Italy. “I think it’s time to stay home,” he is quoted […]
Now Grosjean questions realism of Netflix series
Mar.26 (GMM) Yet another driver has questioned the realism of the latest ‘Drive to Survive’ series on Netflix. Some drivers have said that while supporting the high quality series, it doesn’t necessary reflect the true state of affairs behind closed doors in F1. In one scene, Romain Grosjean’s boss Gunther Steiner told the Frenchman in […]
F1 coronavirus calendar ‘crazy’ and ‘brutal’ – Magnussen
Mar.26 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says the prospect of 18 races in six months sounds “crazy”. Some are sceptical that Formula 1 will get back to racing at all this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the official plan is for 15-18 races beginning in June. “It sounds crazy to have 18 races in six months,” […]
Ferrari to struggle in 2021 too – Danner
Mar.26 (GMM) Although locked in the midst of Italy’s tragic coronavirus situation, Ferrari may also be ruing the latest goings on in the world of Formula 1. Earlier, it emerged that only one team – Ferrari – was initially undecided about joining the otherwise unanimous vote to keep the 2020 cars next year rather than […]
Hulkenberg making most of coronavirus shutdown
Mar.26 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says he is making the most of the world’s collective pause for the coronavirus pandemic. The German’s first ‘track’ action since losing his Renault seat at the end of last year was his recent participation in a high profile ‘esports’ race from his Monaco apartment. Otherwise, Hulkenberg says he is trying […]
Champion ‘not comfortable’ about Super Formula test
Mar.26 (GMM) 2019 Super Formula champion Nick Cassidy says he feels uncomfortable about returning to the track this week. While every other major series in the world is paused for the coronavirus pandemic, the top Japanese open wheeler category pressed ahead with official testing at Fuji. “Not comfortable about it,” series champion Cassidy, a New […]
Sainz deserves rising reputation – Alguersuari
Mar.24 (GMM) Carlos Sainz deserves his rising status in Formula 1. That is the view of former F1 driver and fellow Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari, who over a decade ago became the youngest ever F1 driver. Now retired from racing and a professional DJ, he is turning 30. The only Spaniard left on the grid now […]
Drivers had ‘no choice’ about Melbourne trip – Grosjean
Mar.24 (GMM) Christian Horner has defended F1’s decision to travel to Melbourne just two weeks ago. It has been a whirlwind fortnight for Formula 1 and the world, as the coronavirus pandemic takes an iron grip. But according to some, F1 should have seen the writing on the wall before heading to Australia. “In Formula […]
Verstappen should not fear coronavirus – Marko
Mar.24 (GMM) Max Verstappen should not fear coronavirus, according to his boss Dr Helmut Marko. The brash, tough and plain-speaking 76-year-old Austrian told Kronen Zeitung newspaper: “It would be best if Max caught the virus now.” But Marko, the head of Red Bull’s notorious driver program, does not mean that he wishes his star driver […]
No virtual racing as Gasly stays in Dubai
Mar.24 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says he can’t take part in the new wave of virtual racing that is filling the void while real Formula 1 engines are silent. “I do it all the time at home,” said the Alpha Tauri driver. “I love it. “But in Dubai, I don’t have a sim, just a Playstation. […]
Crisis ‘will hit small teams’ hard – Villeneuve
Mar.24 (GMM) As concern for the future of Formula 1 ramps up, Jacques Villeneuve has urged the sport to keep planning ahead. On the face of it, the situation is dire. The government has forced Alpha Tauri, in crisis-struck Italy, to close its factory. Asked what his role is now, boss Franz Tost told f1-insider.com: […]
No races until ‘July at the earliest’
Mar.24 (GMM) Chase Carey has now admitted that the original 22-race calendar for 2020 could be slashed to just 15 grands prix amid the coronavirus crisis. The opening eight races have already been postponed or cancelled, now including Baku on June 7 – even though Azerbaijan had earlier been slated as the likely re-start date. […]
Pirelli stops manufacturing 2020 tyres
Mar.23 (GMM) Pirelli has stopped manufacturing F1’s tyres for 2020. After Australia, it emerged that the almost 2000 tyres taken by the sport’s official supplier to Melbourne had to be destroyed and recycled. “It’s not safe to re-use them once they have been fitted to a rim and then removed,” Pirelli’s F1 chief Mario Isola […]
New Vietnam race date known in ‘one or two months’
Mar.23 (GMM) More information about a rescheduled 2020 race season should be forthcoming “within one to two months”. That is the claim of the promoters of the inaugural Vietnam GP, whose postponed race was set to take place next weekend. But organisers are telling disappointed fans to hold onto their tickets. “We hope to have […]
Race boss thinks Italian GP ‘safe’
Mar.23 (GMM) The president of Italy’s automobile club is hopeful the race at Monza can go ahead in September. The country is currently the worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but Automobile Club d’Italia chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani has an upbeat outlook for racing fans. “I think and hope that the Monza race is in […]
Vettel seeing ‘beyond’ F1 career
Mar.23 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted he has started to “see beyond” the end of his Formula 1 career. Speculation that the quadruple world champion may not have his deal extended at Ferrari, or that he might either retire or switch to another team, has been constant. “It is not that my passion has diminished […]