Oct.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has admitted to “concern” after a member of the Mercedes team tested positive for covid-19. Ahead of the Nurburgring race weekend, the dominant Formula 1 team confirmed: “This has been handled and is being handled in line with FIA protocols, working closely with the FIA.” Media sources report that the affected […]
Alfa Romeo to announce Schumacher for 2021 race seat
Oct.8 (GMM) Formula 1 is abuzz with rumours that Mick Schumacher’s 2021 Formula 1 race debut will be confirmed this weekend at the Nurburgring. The 21-year-old Formula 2 series leader is already making his free practice debut for Alfa Romeo on Friday, at the wheel of Antonio Giovinazzi’s car. The official fan club of Mick’s […]
Experts split over Hamilton’s F1 greatness
Oct.8 (GMM) As Lewis Hamilton looks to match and beat Michael Schumacher’s all time records, the jury is still out regarding the British driver’s greatness. F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart has caused a stir this week by suggesting Hamilton’s achievements are clouded by the utter superiority of his car. “Frankly, the car and the engine […]
F1 should speed up new engine rules – Marko
Oct.8 (GMM) Formula 1 should consider speeding up the sport’s move to new engine regulations, according to Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko. With the new regulations not expected until 2026, Red Bull – to lose engine partner Honda after 2021 – is facing having to return to being a mere engine customer for 2022-2025. That […]
Verstappen must have ‘competitive’ 2021 car – father
Oct.8 (GMM) Red Bull needs to “worry” if it cannot supply a “competitive car” to Max Verstappen for 2021. That is the implied warning in the latest rare comments made by the Dutch driver’s father and co-manager Jos Verstappen. In the wake of Honda’s decision to quit, Dr Helmut Marko has contradicted Red Bull team […]
Red Bull could quit F1 over engine situation
Oct.8 (GMM) Red Bull may pull out of Formula 1 if it cannot find a “competitive” alternative to works Honda power. That is the warning of Dr Helmut Marko, the Austrian official who is closest to Red Bull and Alpha Tauri’s billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz. Honda shocked the F1 world last Friday by announcing its […]
Annual race alternation could revive German GP
Oct.7 (GMM) Nurburgring boss Mirco Markfort is hoping this weekend’s race at the famous venue boosts the chances of a proper return to the Formula 1 calendar. Before this weekend’s race, the Nurburgring last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2013, in the final installation of the annual ‘alternating’ arrangement with Hockenheim. Since then, Germany […]
Covid era makes F1 debut easier for Schumacher
Oct.7 (GMM) F1’s current covid restrictions are a blessing for Mick Schumacher ahead of his race weekend debut at the Nurburgring. That is the view of the young German’s manager Sabine Kehm, who fulfilled a similar role for Schumacher’s famous father Michael. Now, Kehm is returning to the paddock this weekend as the manager of […]
Alonso to test 2020 Renault next week
Oct.7 (GMM) Fernando Alonso looks set to make his debut in Renault’s 2020 car next week. According to the Spanish broadcaster Movistar, the Spaniard will be in the cockpit for a ‘filming day’ in Barcelona next Tuesday – October 13. After that, a half-day test in Renault’s two-year-old car is also on the cards, Spanish […]
Carey says F1 race deal reached with Rio de Janeiro
Oct.7 (GMM) Chase Carey has confirmed that Rio de Janeiro is on course to join the Formula 1 calendar. There have been rumours for some time that a new permanent circuit in Deodoro, a neighbourhood in Rio’s west zone, could replace Sao Paulo as F1’s Brazilian GP host. Now, O Diario Motorsport, a specialist Brazilian […]
No ‘engine clause’ in Verstappen contract – Horner
Oct.7 (GMM) Christian Horner has played down rumours Red Bull could lose Max Verstappen in the wake of Honda’s shock decision to quit Formula 1. On Tuesday, the Dutch driver broke his silence after Honda’s announcement of last Friday by admitting the Japanese manufacturer’s looming departure is “a shame”. But Verstappen said that “at the […]
Mateschitz will decide engine solution – Horner
Oct.7 (GMM) Red Bull wants “clarity” about its engine solution for 2022 before the end of the year. That is the news from team boss Christian Horner, who admitted that reuniting with Renault might even be a possibility for 2022. Last Friday, Honda stunned the Formula 1 world by announcing that it will quit the […]
Mercedes committed to F1 after Honda exit news
Oct.7 (GMM) Mercedes has reiterated its commitment to Formula 1, allaying fears that the sport may be about to lose more teams or manufacturers. Honda – Red Bull’s works engine partner – stunned the F1 world last Friday by announcing its decision to quit. And with other teams in obvious distress amid the covid crisis, […]
Uncle ‘amazed’ Mick Schumacher’s talent questioned
Oct.6 (GMM) Mick Schumacher’s uncle has hit back at doubts about the young German’s talent. Ralf Schumacher’s famous brother is Michael, whose son Mick will drive the Alfa Romeo in Friday practice this weekend amid strong speculation about a full race debut for 2021. But last week, another former F1 driver – Marc Surer – […]
Nurburgring hopes to stay on F1 calendar
Oct.6 (GMM) The boss of the Nurburgring is unsure whether this weekend’s race will be a one-off for the former Formula 1 venue. Alongside Mugello, Portimao, Imola and Istanbul, the German circuit is among those who are filling in the gaps in F1’s hastily-compiled ‘corona calendar’. One criteria for the inclusion of some of those […]
Verstappen would enjoy Hamilton-like dominance
Oct.6 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he would enjoy dominating Formula 1. Amid Lewis Hamilton’s dominance in 2020, the Mercedes driver and six-time world champion said recently that he would prefer “wheel to wheel racing” because “that’s what gets me up in the morning”. “This is not the championship fight I would have hoped for,” the […]
F1 ‘will return’ to Melbourne in 2021
Oct.5 (GMM) Formula 1 “will return” to Melbourne, according to race organisers. The season-opening Australian GP was the first race cancellation of 2020, triggering the sport’s long shutdown. In recent days and weeks, the likelihood that F1 will return in 2021 had appeared unlikely, as Melbourne is still subject to strict and controversial restrictions following […]
Red Bull not ruling out Perez, Hulkenberg
Oct.5 (GMM) Red Bull is no longer ruling out replacing Alex Albon. Until very recently, the energy drink-owned marque has been strongly backing the British-born Thai driver amid calls for him to be replaced. But now, top drivers Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg are on the market, just as Albon’s recent improvement hit a snag […]
Verstappen hopes covid era ‘will soon be over’
Oct.5 (GMM) Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull driver Max, says he hopes the corona crisis “will soon be over” in Formula 1. Seven months and ten races into the sport’s covid era, F1 has now recorded its highest tally of positive infections in a single week – 10 cases. All of them were […]
Three Ferrari rookies in 2021 ‘not possible’
Oct.5 (GMM) Ferrari’s sporting boss Laurent Mekies has played down hopes that all three high-profile academy driver members will be in Formula 1 next year. Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott will make Friday practice appearances for Alfa Romeo and Haas respectively at the Nurburgring, while Robert Shwartzman will get his chance later this season. All […]