May 15 (GMM) Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto says he isn’t sure what Sebastian Vettel will do beyond 2020. The parties are splitting up after the current unusual ‘season’, with quadruple world champion Vettel now linked either with retirement or a move to Mercedes or Renault. “I believe that the decision, with transparency and clarity, shows […]
McLaren switch ‘a risk’ for Ricciardo – Salo
May 15 (GMM) Jumping ship to McLaren is “a risk” for Daniel Ricciardo. That is the view of former F1 driver Mika Salo, after Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul slammed Australian Ricciardo for not renewing his contract with the works team. “In our sport, and particularly within the current extraordinary situation, reciprocated confidence, unity and commitment […]
Lack of ‘understanding’ caused Vettel divorce – Ferrari
May 14 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has clarified yet again that there is no room for Red Bull’s former champion Sebastian Vettel alongside Max Verstappen next year. The Austrian team official admits there has been contact with the quadruple world champion, but “We can’t afford to have two superstars on our team”. “We don’t want […]
‘Mercedes or nothing’ for Vettel in 2021 – report
May 14 (GMM) Reports that Sebastian Vettel is set to sign for McLaren for 2021 are apparently wide of the mark. Shortly after the four-time world champion’s Ferrari exit was announced, Auto Bild claimed a new deal with countryman and McLaren boss Andreas Seidl was on the cards. “McLaren and Vettel would be a mega […]
Alonso set to replace Ricciardo for 2021
May 14 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo looks set to leave Renault. Melbourne’s Age newspaper said an announcement to that effect is expected early on Thursday. It is rumoured that he will replace the Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz at McLaren for 2021. Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul hinted that the French team needs to save money on drivers for […]
Ferrari hints ‘young driver’ to replace Vettel
May 14 (GMM) Ferrari is eyeing “another young driver” to be Charles Leclerc’s new teammate for 2021. That is the admission of Ferrari vice chairman Piero Ferrari, who is the late Enzo Ferrari’s son. This week, the Maranello team announced that Sebastian Vettel will depart at the end of the year. The leading candidate to […]
Spa shown green light to re-open circuit
May 14 (GMM) Spa-Francorchamps has been given a tentative green-light to re-open the Belgian GP venue. It comes after race boss Vanessa Maes said last week that Spa is waiting for authorities to allow preparations for its original August 30 grand prix date to resume amid the corona crisis. Currently, mass events in Belgium are […]
Ferrari seat would boost Bottas’ chances – Lehto
May 14 (GMM) Another name has been added to speculation about who might replace the departing Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari in 2020. Although it is believed Carlos Sainz is close to a deal or may even have signed one already, others including Daniel Ricciardo and Antonio Giovinazzi have also been mentioned. But former F1 driver […]
Four races in 2020 would be ‘worse’ than none – Abiteboul
May 14 (GMM) Only managing to race a few times in 2020 would be the “worst” outcome for struggling Formula 1 teams. That is the view of Cyril Abiteboul, the boss of the works Renault team who tells Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport that the French marque’s F1 project is “not on the brink” amid […]
F1 has public ‘obligation’ to race again – de la Rosa
May 13 (GMM) Formula 1 has a “very big obligation” to get back up and racing, according to former driver Pedro de la Rosa. The sport is planning its first back-to-back ‘ghost races’ for July, beginning in Austria with a range of intense safety measures including regular coronavirus testing. “I think that, little by little, […]
No ‘hype’ means no German F1 drivers – Schumacher
May 13 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher thinks a reduction in motor racing “hype” in the country could mean that not a single German driver is on the grid in 2020. There is speculation Sebastian Vettel, who is definitely leaving Ferrari, may actually now retire. He is currently the only German driver in F1. But ten years […]
Father admits Sainz to Ferrari rumours ‘accelerating’
May 13 (GMM) The announcement of Sebastian Vettel’s post-2020 departure from Ferrari means one of the most coveted seats in Formula 1 is now up for grabs. “It’s definitely not me,” Max Verstappen smiled in the hours following the announcement on Tuesday. The leading candidates are actually Verstappen’s old Toro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz, and […]
Vettel linked with three teams for 2021
May 13 (GMM) Amid speculation he may retire, Sebastian Vettel is already being linked with three potential new teams for 2021. Prior to Ferrari’s confirmation that he is leaving the Maranello team after this year, rumours were already suggesting Renault or McLaren could be potential alternatives for the quadruple world champion. “For me it is […]
Insiders ponder retirement for departing Vettel
May 13 (GMM) Speculation about Sebastian Vettel’s next move is already in a high gear. On Tuesday, Ferrari announced that the German driver is not staying at the Maranello team beyond 2020. Team boss Mattia Binotto said there was “no specific reason” for the joint decision, while the quadruple world champion hinted that the required […]
Ecclestone ‘can’t imagine’ Ferrari exit
May 12 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says he “can’t imagine” Formula 1 without Ferrari. Recently, amid suggestions the sport will force through a reduced budget cap for 2021, team boss Mattia Binotto hinted that the Maranello team could look elsewhere in the world of motor racing. “I could never imagine Formula 1 without Ferrari,” former F1 […]
Rosberg questions Hamilton’s fitness claims
May 12 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has questioned former teammate Lewis Hamilton’s claim that he is fitter than ever amid the corona shutdown. Mercedes’ Hamilton claims he is “fitter and healthier” than ever, even though drivers are in the midst of what will be a five month layoff for the pandemic. Hamilton also said the period […]
Marko rejects Ricciardo, Horner rumours
May 12 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has played down suggestions Daniel Ricciardo could return to Red Bull Racing in 2021. Australian Ricciardo, whose Renault contract is expiring, has also been linked with Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari seat. Marko told Sport1 that he would prefer if Alex Albon performs strongly enough to keep the second Red Bull […]
Vettel exit announcement set for Tuesday
May 12 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of 2020, according to several authoritative media sources. Germany’s Bild newspaper and Auto Motor und Sport were the first to reveal that the quadruple world champion and Ferrari have not been able to agree on a contract extension. Bild cited a source as it […]
Carey eyes full 22-race calendar for 2021
May 12 (GMM) Notwithstanding F1’s decimated race calendar for 2020, Chase Carey says he is determined to put together a full schedule of grands prix for 2021. The American heads the sport’s owner Liberty Media, who according to Auto Motor und Sport has already advanced survival payments to Haas, Alfa Romeo, Racing Point, Alpha Tauri […]
Alpha Tauri preparing corona ‘back-up team’
May 12 (GMM) Alpha Tauri has a plan in the event that a coronavirus infection is confirmed during F1’s planned return to racing from July. F1 doctor Professor Gerard Saillant recently declared that, unlike in Melbourne, the sport will keep racing even if a new infection emerges in the paddock. “If an employee is infected […]