May 7 (GMM) Jos Verstappen does not believe his native Holland will be able to host a race at Zandvoort in 2020. While other circuits like Austria, Silverstone, Hungary and even Monza are eyeing back-to-back ‘ghost race’ weekends amid the corona crisis, organisers at Zandvoort appear less keen. “The grand prix of the Netherlands was […]
2021 seat depends on Vettel’s motivation – Hakkinen
May 7 (GMM) Mika Hakkinen is sure that quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel’s Formula 1 career can carry on beyond 2020. It is reported that Ferrari has offered the German a new two-year deal, but only if he accepts a major pay-cut. “I think Sebastian’s future depends solely on his personal motivation,” two-time title winner […]
Ferrari offers Vettel new two-year contract
May 6 (GMM) Ferrari has reportedly made Sebastian Vettel a new contract offer for 2021. Recently, it emerged that the quadruple world champion had rejected the Maranello team’s first offer – a new one-year deal with a slashed pay-packet. Italy’s authoritative La Gazzetta dello Sport is now claiming that Ferrari has come back with a […]
Other teams ‘more exposed’ to corona threat – Abiteboul
May 6 (GMM) Renault could be ‘exposed’ by the corona crisis and need to review its commitment, team boss Cyril Abiteboul has suggested. But the Frenchman is not jumping to any conclusions yet, insisting that Renault is “part of a sport with a lot of value and strength”. He told France’s Auto Hebdo that the […]
BMW has ‘no regrets’ after quitting F1
May 6 (GMM) BMW has no intention of returning to Formula 1, according to board member Klaus Frohlich. The German carmaker, the former owner of Sauber, suddenly pulled out of Formula 1 at the end of 2009 amid the global financial crisis. And Frohlich told Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that BMW, now involved in Formula E […]
Alonso has decided 2021 plans
May 6 (GMM) Fernando Alonso seems to have finalised his plans for 2021 – and a return to Formula 1 will apparently have to wait. The two-time world champion, who went on ‘sabbatical’ after the 2018 season and intends to do the Indy 500 this year, is quoted by El Mundo as saying he has […]
F1’s corona plan ‘pretty wild’ – Salo
May 6 (GMM) Mika Salo has described Liberty Media’s plans for 15-18 races amid the corona pandemic as “pretty wild”. The former driver, who is still involved in F1 as a pundit and steward, told Finland’s MTV that he is fascinated to see what happens next. “Health is a priority,” said the Finn. “This is […]
Sainz’s sponsor ‘concerned’ about corona crisis
May 6 (GMM) The CEO of Carlos Sainz’s personal sponsor, Spanish beer brand Estrella Galicia, has admitted he is “concerned” about the coronavirus crisis. CEO Ignacio Rivera’s warning comes amid a flurry of concerning reports about the potential financial impact of the sport’s shutdown for the pandemic. “We live the situation with great concern,” he […]
Montezemolo could be next FIA president – report
May 6 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has emerged as a candidate to be the next FIA president. Recently, current president Jean Todt confirmed that he will step down at the end of his expiring term in 2021 – his maximum tenure as the head of F1’s governing body. Italy’s Autosprint claims that Montezemolo’s candidacy is […]
FIA doctor says infection should not stop F1 races
May 6 (GMM) The Formula 1 show will go on even if a coronavirus infection is detected in the paddock, according to FIA Institute president Professor Gerard Saillant. In Australia, the season opener was called off when a McLaren mechanic tested positive. Now, F1 is planning to return with spectator-less back to back race weekends […]
Norris slams ‘selfish’ esports rival
May 6 (GMM) Drivers need to take virtual racing more seriously. That is the view of Lando Norris, one of the simulator world’s biggest stars who was taken out apparently deliberately by Indy 500 winner Simon Pagenaud in a recent race. “The big conversation is ‘yes, it’s a game’ and so on, so you shouldn’t […]
Back-to-back Austria GP plan ‘great’ – Verstappen
May 6 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he is looking forward to the resumption of the 2020 season – even if the races have to take place behind closed doors for now. The Red Bull driver told Servus TV that he is not suffering too much amid the coronavirus shutdown. “Basically, I like to be at […]
No ‘orange Mercedes’ strategy for McLaren – Seidl
May 5 (GMM) McLaren will not adopt an ‘orange Mercedes’ strategy in order to return to the top in Formula 1. Racing Point has taken flak in 2020 for admitting that its new car is based on detailed photographs of Mercedes’ title winning machine of last year. But McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl said the […]
Final manufacturer BMW could also quit DTM
May 5 (GMM) BMW has admitted that the premier German touring car championship could collapse. Audi’s shock departure post-2020 means that BMW will be the only manufacturer left on the DTM grid. And board member Klaus Frohlich told Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that BMW could now follow after this season. “We have to wait and see […]
Ferrari losses limited to 2020 only – Camilleri
May 5 (GMM) Ferrari is confident about bouncing back financially from the corona crisis. Amid the F1 shutdown, and with Maranello at the epicentre of the Italian epidemic, CEO Louis Camilleri admitted that Ferrari’s bottom line has been hurt. “Formula 1 will negatively affect our results in 2020, but the losses will be short lived,” […]
Circuits fighting to host ‘ghost races’ – Lammers
May 5 (GMM) Circuits are fighting behind the scenes to be part of F1’s new ‘corona calendar’ for 2020, according to Dutch GP boss Jan Lammers. On the face of it, Liberty Media will simply help the promoters like Austria and Silverstone to organise races whilst spectators are unable to cover the costs by buying […]
Designer says Zandvoort not accurate in F1 game
May 5 (GMM) Zandvoort circuit architect Jarno Zaffelli says the Dutch GP venue’s depiction in the official Formula 1 video game for 2020 is not accurate. The ‘F1 2020’ software developer Codemasters has released a teaser of the new Zandvoort layout, featuring the highly celebrated new banked corners. “Although it is still a work in […]
F1 must be ‘open’ to plans amid pandemic – Prost
May 5 (GMM) The F1 world should stand behind the sport’s decisions about when and how the 2020 season gets up and running, according to Alain Prost. Some are critical of the efforts to go racing again from July, but F1 legend Prost thinks now is the time for unity. “Given the context, you have […]
July re-start too soon for F1 – Enzinger
May 5 (GMM) Porsche’s racing boss Fritz Enzinger is warning that July is too soon for the recommencement of the Formula 1 season. In charge of the German brand’s Formula E efforts, he told Kurier newspaper that he backs the current shutdown of world sport, including motor racing. “When it comes to sporting events, health […]
Contract talk ’empty’ amid crisis – Kvyat
May 5 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says any talk about the future for Formula 1 drivers is on hold for the corona crisis. The Alpha Tauri driver is regularly linked with a potential return to the top Red Bull team, but he says any contract talk right now is “empty”. “If they are talking with confidence […]