Oct.5 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel might buy shares in Aston Martin. That is the view of Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss who caused a stir recently by buying into Lawrence Stroll’s new Aston Martin project with a minor stake. Wolff had also actively encouraged departing Ferrari driver Vettel to switch to Racing Point for 2021, […]
Haas ‘not for sale’ amid Mazepin rumours
Oct.5 (GMM) Haas is reluctant to comment amid rumours the F1 team could be sold. The small American outfit has already admitted that both of its current drivers could be replaced for 2021. Sergio Perez is one strong option, but rumoured in the past days is that also in the running is Nikita Mazepin, a […]
McLaren happy with new Mercedes-like nose
Oct.5 (GMM) A Mercedes-style nose design is the “right way forward” for McLaren. That is the view of team boss Andreas Seidl, who admits that Racing Point and Renault will challenge the British outfit for third place in the constructors’ championship this year. Recently, McLaren began testing a new nose, which is shaped more like […]
Red Bull capable of making own engine – Schumacher
Oct.5 (GMM) Red Bull can build its own engine for 2022 and beyond, according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher. At Sochi, prior to Honda’s shock decision last Friday to quit Formula 1 at the end of 2021, Schumacher had declared: “I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Porsche in F1.” But amid speculation Red […]
Red Bull eyeing ‘all options’ for 2022 engine
Oct.5 (GMM) “All options” are being considered as Red Bull looks to race on without Honda from 2022. Honda, one of just four engine manufacturers in F1’s ‘power unit’ era, shocked the racing world on Friday by announcing its decision to quit at the end of next year. “As a group, we will now take […]
Honda shows ‘middle finger’ to F1 – press
Oct.5 (GMM) Honda’s shock decision to quit Formula 1 is a “middle finger” to the sport. That is the view of Juuso Taipale, just one journalist who has reacted to Friday’s news that Red Bull and Alpha Tauri are now on the hunt for a new supply of engines for 2022 and beyond. “Honda’s decision […]
Steward Salo admits Hamilton penalties ‘harsh’
Mika Salo has admitted he thought Lewis Hamilton’s penalties at Sochi were “harsh”. The former F1 driver, who was a FIA steward at the Russian GP, came under fire after Hamilton and his fans accused the governing body of unfairly targeting the six-time world champion. Salo was also criticised for allegedly leaking information about the […]
Perez-Red Bull rumours re-surface
Sergio Perez has emerged as a realistic candidate to become Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull next year. Although the team has been publicly backing the struggling Alex Albon, it is believed the candidates to replace him for 2021 also include Nico Hulkenberg. La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Luigi Perna wrote on Thursday that Hulkenberg would […]
No new Hamilton contract until after season
The matter of Lewis Hamilton’s expiring Mercedes contract could be delayed until after the 2020 season. Earlier, the six-time world champion indicated that he felt uncomfortable negotiating a new deal for 2021 and beyond amid the covid crisis. But others suspect that he is waiting to see not only how speculation of a potential team […]
Schumacher happy spectators will watch F1 debut
Mick Schumacher says he is glad to be making his official F1 race weekend debut in front of German spectators next Friday. The Nurburgring was given local approval to sell tickets to 20,000 spectators per day. “I am definitely looking forward to the Nurburgring,” Schumacher, whose father Michael is a local hero, said ahead of […]
Perez knew Racing Point axe was coming
Oct.1 (GMM) Sergio Perez has admitted he knew he would be ousted by Racing Point – even before the team told him. It was rumoured recently that the Mexican driver overheard team owner Lawrence Stroll instructing a lawyer at Monza to draw up Sebastian Vettel’s contract. “Yes, this story is true,” Perez admitted at Sochi, […]
FIA admits F1 will not be ‘covid-free’ in 2021
Oct.1 (GMM) The FIA’s operations director does not think Formula 1 will be covid-free in 2021. Among Bruno Famin’s chief responsibilities this year is to oversee the health protocol that is allowing the racing to go ahead in 2020 amid the coronavirus crisis. “Do you say ‘knock on wood’ in Spain?” he told the Spanish […]
Honda in talks about 2021 Alpha Tauri debut for Tsunoda
Oct.1 (GMM) Honda is in talks with Dr Helmut Marko about the potential 2021 Formula 1 debut of Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda. As time races on, it appears increasingly clear that the 20-year-old Honda-backed Formula 2 driver will replace Daniil Kvyat at Alpha Tauri next year. “As he is clearly in Pierre Gasly’s shadow, Kvyat […]
Horner not worried that Ferrari bosses run F1
Oct.1 (GMM) Christian Horner says he is not worried that so many former Ferrari chiefs are now running Formula 1. The Maranello outfit is the only one in pitlane with the power to veto incoming rules. And now it is notable that F1’s top officials are Jean Todt as FIA president, Ross Brawn as sporting […]
Hamilton vows to be ‘squeaky clean’ after penalties
Oct.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has vowed to stay “squeaky-clean” for the rest of his 2020 world championship campaign. The Mercedes driver was furious after receiving penalties for illegal practice starts at the Russian GP. His two penalty points that drew him perilously close to a race ban were ultimately rescinded, but team boss Toto Wolff […]
Alonso says Schumacher ‘one step ahead’ of Hamilton
Oct.1 (GMM) Michael Schumacher remains “one step ahead” of Lewis Hamilton in terms of F1 greatness. That is the view of Fernando Alonso, as the world of Formula 1 contemplates Hamilton racing past Schumacher’s all-time victory record and equalling his seven titles in 2020. “I remember Michael as a driver with the greatest talent,” the […]
Ralf Schumacher ‘can’t imagine’ nephew not in F1 in 2021
Oct.1 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher “can’t imagine” that his nephew will not be on the Formula 1 grid next year. Ahead of his Friday practice debut for Alfa Romeo at the Nurburgring, 21-year-old Mick Schumacher prepared at Fiorano on Wednesday at the wheel of a 2018 Ferrari. Also in action were fellow Ferrari juniors Callum Ilott […]
Horner wants Red Bull and Honda to stick together
Oct.1 (GMM) It is “inevitable” that Mercedes’ dominance will end eventually, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. However, with team figures now dismissing their chances of beating Mercedes this year, Horner also does not expect Red Bull to catch up by 2021. “Our great opportunity is 2022,” he said. “For the coming year, […]
Mercedes at risk of ‘complacency’ – Horner
Sep.30 (GMM) “Complacency” may be creeping in at dominant Mercedes, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. He was speaking after Lewis Hamilton was given two five-second penalties at Sochi, as it emerges that Mercedes engineers actually gave the British driver the green-light to practice his starts outside of the designated zone. “We didn’t […]
Renault doing ‘incredible job’ in 2020 – Alonso
Sep.30 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says Renault has “everything they need” to succeed in the future. After a two-year sabbatical, the double world champion is returning to Formula 1 next year as Renault becomes Alpine. He got down to work at Renault’s Enstone (UK) and Viry (France) factories last week. “These were days that were full […]