Sep.21 (GMM) F1 teams have expressed concern about the latest version of the 2021 technical rules. On Monday, they were presented with the latest concept of the 2021 car, codenamed ‘Lima’. The main difference compared to the earlier version is a more elegant front wing. But Auto Motor und Sport claims some teams have calculated […]
No conversation about 2020 yet – Albon
Sep.20 (GMM) Alex Albon admits he isn’t sure if Red Bull Racing will keep him for 2020. The British-born Thai rookie was drafted into the lineup to replace struggling Pierre Gasly after the summer break. But the 2020 ‘silly season’ is currently in overdrive, with Nico Hulkenberg, Sebastian Vettel and even Daniel Ricciardo all tentatively […]
Giovinazzi admits risk of losing Alfa seat
Sep.20 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi says the current uncertainty about his place at Alfa Romeo for 2020 is “part of the game”. After missing out on the Haas seat, Renault refugee Nico Hulkenberg is now pinning his hopes on a potential move to Alfa Romeo. Italian Giovinazzi, despite his strong Ferrari link, has been fending off […]
Hulkenberg hoping for Alfa Romeo seat
Sep.20 (GMM) Alfa Romeo and Williams are emerging as Nico Hulkenberg’s only potential options to remain in Formula 1 next year. The F1 world was surprised in Singapore when Haas announced that it is keeping Romain Grosjean for 2020. “I was talking to Haas seriously, but for a number of reasons we did not get […]
Under-fire Vettel declares ‘I still love racing’
Sep.20 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel in Singapore attempted to play down the firestorm around him by declaring: “I still love racing”. Some are sensationally claiming that the quadruple world champion will leave Ferrari, because his young teammate Charles Leclerc has gained the upper hand as ‘number 1’. “Number 1? I don’t have that feeling,” 21-year-old Leclerc […]
Magnussen backs Haas driver decision
Sep.20 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen is hoping for a much better season for Haas in 2020. The American team has had a horror 2019, and not just because of the problems with its erratic former sponsor Rich Energy. Rich Energy boss William Storey is still causing trouble for Haas, revealing on Twitter that the team is […]
Ricciardo emerges as potential Vettel replacement
Sep.20 (GMM) A wild rumour has emerged from Italy involving former Red Bull teammates Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel. Some believe that with Charles Leclerc taking over the de-facto ‘number 1’ role at Ferrari, quadruple world champion Vettel’s position has become untenable. “If this continues, I would not be sure that Ferrari will keep him,” […]
Ricciardo ‘surprised’ by Grosjean news
Sep.20 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he is among those who are “surprised” by Haas’ decision to keep Romain Grosjean in 2020. The F1 paddock had been expecting the American team to drop the Frenchman and replace him with Ricciardo’s current Renault teammate Nico Hulkenberg. “I heard only a few days ago that he was […]
Kubica sponsor wants to stay in F1
Sep.20 (GMM) Robert Kubica’s sponsor says it wants to remain in Formula 1. Williams announced on Thursday that the Polish driver, who has struggled this year on his return to the grid, will not stay at the team in 2020. Kubica’s seat this year is strongly backed by PKN Orlen, the Polish oil company. The […]
Boss says Ferrari ‘loves’ Vettel
Sep.19 (GMM) Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto has issued a strong vote of confidence in Sebastian Vettel. The quadruple world champion began 2019 as the clear number 1, but is now making regular mistakes while 21-year-old newcomer Charles Leclerc rises in status. But Binotto insists that the crisis-struck German’s 2020 contract will be honoured. “The […]
Red Bull driver decisions ‘not healthy’ – Albers
Sep.19 (GMM) A former F1 driver has questioned Red Bull’s recent driver swap. During the summer break, Dr Helmut Marko decided to demote the struggling Pierre Gasly from the senior team and replace him with Toro Rosso’s Alex Albon. “I still don’t understand that choice,” former Minardi driver Christijan Albers told De Telegraaf newspaper. “I […]
Hulkenberg ‘sure’ Schumacher will race in F1
Sep.19 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says he is “sure” that Mick Schumacher will soon be in Formula 1. Schumacher, the 20-year-old son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, is eleventh overall with two rounds of his first Formula 2 season to go. “I am sure that we will see him in Formula 1 in two years at […]
Ferrari to join 18-inch testing in 2020 – Isola
Sep.19 (GMM) Pirelli boss Mario Isola thinks Ferrari will start helping next year with the development of Formula 1’s 18-inch tyres for 2021. In a modified 2018 Renault, Sergey Sirotkin was in the cockpit last week as testing of the low-profile tyres began at Paul Ricard. “Unfortunately I am not allowed to answer any questions […]
2019 title ‘far, far away’ – Vettel
Sep.19 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted he is unlikely to win the 2019 world championship. The quadruple world champion actually went into this season as the favourite, but Ferrari’s first wins only came in Spa and Monza and it was Charles Leclerc on the top step. “We are not the favourites for this championship,” Vettel […]
Hulkenberg admits Haas an option for 2020
Sep.19 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has admitted that Haas could be an option for him in 2020. The American team is expected to announce Kevin Magnussen’s next teammate in Singapore. Team boss Gunther Steiner has said Haas is choosing between Hulkenberg, who has lost his place at Renault, and Magnussen’s current teammate Romain Grosjean. “Gunther and […]
Kubica linked with Racing Point move
Sep.19 (GMM) Robert Kubica is now being linked with a move to Racing Point. Earlier this week, the boss of the customer Audi team WRT said the Pole is “naturally an interesting name” for a potential DTM race drive for 2020. But now, the specialist Polish fan publication Powrot Roberta is reporting that F1 team […]
Berger rates Verstappen above Leclerc for now
Sep.18 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger says Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are clearly F1’s “stars of tomorrow”. Although 2019 was initially billed as a clear Lewis Hamilton versus Sebastian Vettel battle for the title, it is the two younger drivers who have been attracting the most recent plaudits. “Hamilton is slightly different as he […]
Briatore blasts Horner over Alonso comments
Sep.18 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has blasted Red Bull boss Christian Horner for making critical comments about Fernando Alonso. Amid speculation the two-time world champion might one day want to return to Formula 1, Horner recently said the Spaniard typically brings “chaos” to the teams he drives for. “I heard Horner speak negatively about Alonso and […]
Audi’s DTM boss plays down Kubica reports
Sep.18 (GMM) Audi’s DTM boss has played down reports linking Robert Kubica with the German outfit. A specialist publication this week said Audi has had talks with the struggling Williams driver’s management about switching to the German touring car series. But Audi boss Dieter Gass told Germany’s Motorsport-Magazin.com: “Robert Kubica is not in discussion with […]
Renault, Mercedes ‘pointing finger’ at Ferrari – Marko
Sep.18 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has denied claims that Red Bull is pushing the hardest for the FIA to look into the legality of Ferrari’s 2019 power unit. Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Auto Motor und Sport this week: “We sent a number of questions to the FIA, but have not received any answers.” […]