May 19 (GMM) Former French GP venue Magny Cours has ruled out hosting a Formula 1 ‘ghost race’ amid the corona crisis. L’Equipe claims that Liberty Media has reached out to multiple European circuits with FIA homologation to host grands prix, including Magny Cours which last hosted a race in 2008. It is claimed that […]
Marko hopes for spectators at Austria GP
May 19 (GMM) The Austrian government has played down hopes F1’s 2020 ‘season opener’ may be raced in front of spectators. Currently, Red Bull – the promoter of the Austrian GP at Spielberg – is waiting merely to have its ‘ghost race’ plan for July rubber-stamped by authorities. “We hope to receive a response from […]
Sainz is number 2 driver at Ferrari – Briatore
May 19 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has obviously been selected to be Ferrari’s number 2 driver, according to Flavio Briatore. Having presided as Benetton and Renault team boss over four separate titles with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, Briatore always ran a policy of pairing a “very special” driver with a competent teammate. “The situation seems […]
Wolff admits ‘discussing’ Mercedes boss role
May 18 (GMM) Toto Wolff admits he is “currently discussing” what role he will play at Mercedes beyond 2020. Speculation he might leave the team altogether ramped up after Wolff invested millions in the newly Lawrence Stroll-controlled Aston Martin carmaker. He insists it has nothing to do with Stroll’s F1 team. “It is a purely […]
Vettel ‘good marketing’ for Mercedes – Wolff
May 18 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted signing German Sebastian Vettel for 2021 would be a “good marketing story” for Mercedes. Many believe the quadruple world champion, having decided to leave Ferrari, will not settle for a midfield seat like Renault. “There are still some interesting places for him,” Mercedes team boss told the Austrian […]
Sainz a good choice for Ferrari – Marko
May 18 (GMM) Ferrari has made a good choice by signing up Carlos Sainz for 2021, according to Dr Helmut Marko. As the head of Red Bull’s notorious and successful driver development program, Marko brought the Spaniard into Formula 1 in 2015. “First of all, Carlos is a great guy,” Marko is quoted by La […]
Mugello wants to host replacement Italy GP
May 18 (GMM) Mugello is still interested in hosting a replacement Italian GP amid the corona crisis, according to local mayor Federico Ignesti. It is not clear if the regular Italian GP host Monza will be able to host a race, even behind closed doors without spectators. “I have high hopes that the race can […]
McLaren had no negotiations with Vettel – Seidl
May 18 (GMM) Speculation Sebastian Vettel might retire at the end of 2020 is ramping up, with McLaren revealing that it never even negotiated with the Ferrari refugee. “The subject of Sebastian was never raised with us,” team boss Andreas Seidl, who is reported to have been close with the quadruple world champion, told Sky […]
Alonso ‘ready to return’ – Briatore
May 18 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is “ready to return” to Formula 1, according to his long-time manager Flavio Briatore. Speculation that Spaniard Alonso, 38, is close to signing with his former team Renault to replace Daniel Ricciardo in 2021 is now rife. France’s Auto Hebdo is reporting that a pre-agreement is already signed, while Marca […]
Lance Stroll signed up for 2021 – Szafnauer
May 18 (GMM) Lance Stroll is already signed up to remain at Racing Point – to be called Aston Martin by then – in 2021. That is the news of Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer. The Silverstone based team is owned by Stroll’s father, Lawrence Stroll. It was already known that Sergio Perez is staying […]
Montezemolo denies eyeing FIA presidency
May 18 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has dismissed reports that he could become the next FIA president. Although it is rumoured Jean Todt could try to stay on beyond his expiring term next year because of the corona crisis, former Ferrari president Montezemolo has been linked with the job. “I read about that hypothesis,” Montezemolo, […]
Ecclestone wants to leave Brazil
May 18 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has decided to leave Brazil and return to Europe, according to Germany’s Bild newspaper. For the duration of the pandemic so far, the former F1 supremo has been at his wife Fabiana’s coffee plantation and farm in Brazil. But Ecclestone, 89, says Fabiana’s pregnancy means they now want to go […]
Russia eyes first 2020 race with spectators
May 18 (GMM) Russia could be the first country to host a Formula 1 race with spectators in 2020. That is the view of Alexey Titov, boss of the Sochi race promoter Rosgonki. He says the current plan is for the race to go ahead exactly as scheduled on September 27. “I think our race […]
Tilke hits back at F1 circuit complaints
May 18 (GMM) Hermann Tilke has hit back at one of the main criticisms made about the circuits his company designs for Formula 1. “Sometimes I feel the urge to respond to criticism,” said the German, who has inked many of the current tracks including Bahrain, China, Abu Dhabi and others. “We are always criticised […]
Safety car driver not paid during crisis
May 18 (GMM) Many in Formula 1 and motorsport are living without an income at present, according to safety car driver Bernd Maylander. He told Auto Motor und Sport that he is one of those people who needs the races to actually take place before being paid. “I am a freelancer,” said the German. “I […]
F1 must organise enough races in 2020 – Marko
May 18 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says it is crucial that Formula 1 manages to organise a minimum number of races amid the corona crisis in 2020. A draft calendar featuring 19 races between July and December is currently doing the rounds on the internet, but there are doubts about how many of them will […]
F1 plan sent to Austrian government for approval
May 15 (GMM) The fate of the planned 2020 ‘season opener’ in Austria should be known within days. The news agency Austria Presse Agentur reports that the full written plan for dealing with back-to-back races in July amid the corona crisis has been sent by promoter Red Bull and Formula 1 to the Austrian government. […]
Alonso looks set for F1 return with Renault
May 15 (GMM) At the end of a sensational ‘silly season’ week for Formula 1, it now emerges that Fernando Alonso looks to be returning to the sport and Renault next year. Sources report that the deal is almost done, with Renault, Alonso and his manager Flavio Briatore all dropping photographic hints on social media […]
Ferrari tester says Sainz ‘not number 2 driver’
May 15 (GMM) Opinions are split as to whether Carlos Sainz is an obvious ‘number 2’ driver for Charles Leclerc. Some believe the fact that Sebastian Vettel is departing, and that Daniel Ricciardo was not the one to replace him, demonstrates that Ferrari wanted a driver for a supporting role alongside new clear number 1 […]
Giovinazzi not yet ready for Ferrari – Binotto
May 15 (GMM) A Ferrari race seat would have been “too much responsibility” for Antonio Giovinazzi. Those are the words of team boss Mattia Binotto, as he explained why 25-year-old Carlos Sainz – a driver developed by Red Bull – has been chosen to be Charles Leclerc’s 2021 teammate. 25-year-old Italian Giovinazzi, on the other […]