Sep.1 (GMM) F1’s governing body will apparently use new measures to warn drivers on track about the risk of penalties. Since the issuing of some controversial penalties in 2019, including Sebastian Vettel’s lost victory in Canada, the sport has been discussing how to address the situation. It is believed the topic was discussed in the […]
Grosjean admits he has ‘options’ outside F1
Sep.1 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has admitted he has “other options” apart from Formula 1 for 2020. With Esteban Ocon returning to the grid next year and Nico Hulkenberg tipped to replace him at Haas, Frenchman Grosjean could be left standing without a seat. “The next two weeks will be crucial for my future,” Grosjean, who […]
Kvyat not ‘ignored’ by Red Bull
Sep.1 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he has “no problem” with having being overlooked as the replacement for struggling Pierre Gasly at Red Bull. Having resurrected his form and career following his own Red Bull and Toro Rosso oustings, Kvyat says he accepts the reasoning behind promoting Alex Albon instead. “The decision was understandable,” said the […]
Vandoorne not ruling out F1 return
Sep.1 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne says he is not missing Formula 1. The Belgian, who lost his McLaren seat at the end of last year, is back in the paddock at Spa Francorchamps this weekend. “It’s nice to see old friends again,” he told the Sporza news agency. “But I don’t really miss it. I’m having […]
Marko rules out Hulkenberg for Red Bull
Sep.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has now ruled out Nico Hulkenberg for the second seat at Red Bull for 2020. Earlier, while insisting that the outfit would prefer to choose between Alex Albon, Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly to be Max Verstappen’s next teammate, team boss Christian Horner admitted Hulkenberg was a “conservative” choice that […]
Schumacher eyeing ‘right moment’ for F1 debut
Sep.1 (GMM) Mick Schumacher says he is more determined than ever to follow in his father’s footsteps into Formula 1. The 20-year-old German recently won his first Formula 2 race, and as a member of Ferrari’s driver academy has already tested the Maranello team’s F1 car. He told Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that the test in […]
F1 race to go ahead after Formula 2 death
Sep.1 (GMM) Sunday’s Belgian GP will go ahead following the death of Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert. Frenchman Hubert, a 22-year-old member of Renault’s driver programme, was killed in a sickening T-bone accident at the exit of the fabled Eau Rouge corner. Another driver in the F2 race, Juan Manuel Correa, is listed in a […]
Hamilton not worrying about engine reliability
Sep.1 (GMM) Championship leader Lewis Hamilton says he is not worrying about the health of his Mercedes engine ahead of the Belgian GP. The German marque introduced an engine upgrade at Spa, but Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll (Racing Point) and then Robert Kubica (Williams) suffered problems. “The guys from Mercedes will surely evaluate what’s going […]
Williams still ‘in our own league’ – Kubica
Aug.31 (GMM) Robert Kubica’s poor 2019 season is not getting any better in Belgium. In opening practice at Spa, even Nicholas Latifi – the son of McLaren shareholder Michael Latifi and tipped to make his F1 debut in 2010 – was faster than the struggling Pole. Latifi, reportedly funded to the tunes of tens of […]
Raikkonen involved in altercation at Spa
Aug.31 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has been involved in an altercation with a fan in the Spa paddock. “I don’t know,” the Alfa Romeo said when asked about the incident by Finnish broadcaster C More. A photo of the incident depicts an angry man wearing an orange Max Verstappen cap shouting at the 2007 world champion. […]
Renault engine upgrade disappoints Sainz
Aug.31 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has admitted he is disappointed with Renault’s latest engine upgrade. The McLaren driver is among others at Spa who will take grid penalties for engine changes. Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault have all introduced upgrades for Belgium. Sainz admits he “expected more” from the new Renault. “The new engine? I didn’t notice […]
F1 considering qualifying race experiment for 2020
Aug.31 (GMM) F1 is toying with the idea of experimenting with the race format in 2020. The sport’s all-new era is not arriving until 2021, but sporting boss Ross Brawn said the stable regulations for 2020 gives Liberty the freedom to experiment at one or two races next year. One idea is a race for […]
Red Bull not ruling out Hulkenberg for 2020
Aug.31 (GMM) Red Bull is not yet shutting the door on Nico Hulkenberg. It is believed Haas is in advanced negotiations with the Renault refugee, but reports indicate Hulkenberg is also interested in being Max Verstappen’s 2020 teammate. Red Bull has said that Alex Albon, who has replaced the struggling Pierre Gasly as of Spa, […]
Teams need ‘third car crew’ for 25 races
Aug.31 (GMM) F1 teams will need to change their structures if Liberty Media pushes ahead with plans for up to 25 races in 2021. The calendar is already expanding to an unprecedented 22 races next year, but the teams only agreed to that after demanding certain regulations compromises. For instance, winter testing has been reduced […]
FIA looked into Hamilton’s shutdown comments
Aug.31 (GMM) F1’s governing body looked into whether Mercedes broke the rules during the recent mandatory August shutdown. During the summer break, teams are required by the rules to observe a strict factory shutdown, which according to the rules forbids “any work activity”. But Lewis Hamilton told the press at Spa that during the break, […]
F1 teams would welcome ‘strong’ new entrants
Aug.31 (GMM) Formula 1 may not get any new teams on the grid until 2022 at the earliest, sporting boss Ross Brawn said at Spa. Brawn said it might be better to see the impact of sport’s new era in 2021 before opening the paddock gates to any new competitors. The comments follow reports that […]
Wolff and Mercedes to keep managing Ocon
Aug.31 (GMM) Mercedes protege Esteban Ocon is now a full Renault driver, boss Cyril Abiteboul insists. Later on Saturday, the 22-year-old Frenchman will sit with his manager Toto Wolff and Renault’s Abiteboul at Spa to discuss the details of his new two-year deal. “He’s a Renault driver, that’s very clear,” Abiteboul said at Spa. “Mercedes […]
Renault offered Hulkenberg one-year deal – Prost
Aug.31 (GMM) Renault director Alain Prost says Nico Hulkenberg turned down an offer for 2020. German Hulkenberg looks set to switch to Haas, but reports indicate he is also hoping to be a candidate for the vacant seat at Red Bull. Renault has signed up Esteban Ocon to replace him for 2020, with Hulkenberg claiming […]
Only Ferrari without new engine at Spa
Aug.30 (GMM) Ferrari is the only engine manufacturer not to have taken a new specification of its 2019 power unit to Spa Francorchamps. Mercedes, Renault and Honda have all brought scheduled upgrades to the Belgian GP, and it was expected that Ferrari would do the same. But Sebastian Vettel said on Thursday: “Our plan is […]
Rivals surprised by Hulkenberg axe
Aug.30 (GMM) Two of his rivals have admitted they are surprised that Nico Hulkenberg has been ousted by Renault. The 32-year-old will be replaced for 2020 by Esteban Ocon, who is reportedly on a two-year loan from Mercedes. “Ocon and Renault clearly liked one another and it was clear that it would happen sooner or […]