Apr.17 (GMM) Ferrari will be “prepared” for when Formula 1 gets up and racing once again. That is the word from the Maranello team’s CEO Louis Camilleri, who this week moved to cheer up shareholders concerned about the impact of the coronavirus crisis. “Our decision to distribute this dividend demonstrates our confidence in the future, […]
Virtual racing will not replace F1 – Sainz
Apr.17 (GMM) Virtual racing is more of a “diversion” than a viable alternative to real motor racing and Formula 1, according to McLaren driver Carlos Sainz. Ever since Melbourne was cancelled due to coronavirus, a series of online races based on simulator games including F1 2019, iracing and rfactor have been attracting widespread attention. Indycar […]
Driver fitness suffering during shutdown – Sainz
Apr.17 (GMM) F1 drivers will feel the physical strain when the racing finally gets underway in 2020, McLaren’s Carlos Sainz has warned. Winter testing aside, the drivers have not been at full speed since the end of last year, and now most are stuck at home amid the global shutdowns. Asked if that is a […]
No ‘two speed’ budget cap in 2021 – Abiteboul
Apr.17 (GMM) F1 should not implement a ‘two speed’ budget cap next year, according to Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul. While some small teams are saying only a drastically reduced cap will ensure their survival in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, the top teams – notably Ferrari – have other ideas. “Maybe the answer is […]
Another false start in 2020 would be ‘disaster’
Apr.17 (GMM) Italian GP boss Angelo Sticchi Damiani has admitted that even September’s Monza race is threatened by the coronavirus crisis. The Italian automobile club president said a repeat of Melbourne, in which the entire sport descended on Melbourne only for the race to be cancelled, would be a “disaster”. “We cannot afford to make […]
‘Selfish’ top teams risking F1 ‘collapse’ – Rosberg
Apr.17 (GMM) The attitudes of some “high level teams” threaten the very existence of “two, three, four” of their smaller competitors. That is the view of 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, who accused those not willing to be extremely flexible amid F1’s biggest crisis of being “selfish”. “If you have selfish minds that do their […]
Sainz acknowledges Ferrari ‘rumours’
Apr.17 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says the 2020 driver contract silly season is currently “paralysed” by coronavirus. The Spaniard, who drives for McLaren, has been linked with a move to Ferrari next year to replace Sebastian Vettel. Martin Brundle is among those who are recommending Sainz to the Maranello team. “It feels good when people in […]
Red Bull ‘ready’ with 2020 Austria GP plan
Apr.17 (GMM) Things are heading “in the right direction” in terms of hosting Formula 1’s first race of 2020. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, who is behind Red Bull’s plans to proceed with the Austrian GP on 5 July. Even amid the global pandemic, the plan has the support for now of […]
Government says 2020 Austrian GP ‘could work out’
Apr.16 (GMM) Amid a sea of cancellations, postponements and speculation, it appears that Austria might be able to rescue F1 by hosting the first races of 2020. While the first nine races have all fallen by the wayside, and the next round of postponements seems to loom for France, Britain and Belgium, the Austrian government […]
F1 should never have gone to Australia – Raikkonen
Apr.16 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says Formula 1 should never have travelled to Australia last month for the ultimately cancelled 2020 season opener. The sport’s current total shutdown began in Melbourne exactly one month ago, when Formula 1 descended on the city but then cancelled at the last minute when a McLaren team member tested positive […]
Belgian GP could be cancelled outright – boss
Apr.16 (GMM) It is “possible” that the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit will not host a grand prix at all in 2020. While nine races have already fallen by the wayside because of coronavirus, only Melbourne and Monaco have actually been cancelled outright. But Belgium could now join them. Promoter Spa Grand Prix has announced that because […]
Hamilton should take pay-cut amid crisis – Hulkenberg
Apr.16 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton should put his money where his mouth is amid the coronavirus crisis, according to Nico Hulkenberg. When Formula 1 tried to push ahead with its Melbourne season opener amid the worsening situation last month, world champion Hamilton was the most vocally critical. “Cash is king. I can’t add much more to […]
Crisis leaves Hulkenberg’s F1 return in ‘limbo’
Apr.16 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg admits the coronavirus crisis could scupper his plans to potentially return to Formula 1 in 2021. Although the German lost his Renault race seat for 2020, Hulkenberg is now in the same situation as the active F1 drivers – caught up in the global shutdown. But what makes his situation more […]
F1 budget cap should be just $75m – Agag
Apr.15 (GMM) Formula 1’s new budget cap should be as low as $75 million in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. That is the view of Formula E boss Alejandro Agag. “In general, this could be an opportunity for motorsport,” he told motorsport-total.com. “Especially for Formula 1, it could be a huge opportunity to restructure […]
Renault monitoring F1’s crisis response
Apr.15 (GMM) “Drastic measures” will keep Renault in Formula 1 in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. That is the suggestion of team boss Cyril Abiteboul, responding to claims that the situation could be the trigger for Renault’s departure. “If we do not take drastic measures, there could be a risk,” he told L’Equipe. “But […]
Verstappen paid more than Ricciardo – father
Apr.15 (GMM) Jos Verstappen says his son Max is paid more than the Red Bull driver’s former teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has made headlines this week by revealing that Australian Ricciardo will have his retainer reduced amid the coronavirus crisis. “We have yet to make the exact deal, but I am not […]
FIA should ‘cancel’ 2020 F1 season – Mosley
Apr.15 (GMM) Max Mosley has joined his old sparring partner Bernie Ecclestone in recommending that Formula 1 simply call off the 2020 season. “The 2020 season should be cancelled,” the former FIA president, who has just turned 80, told DPA news agency. “That way, the race organisers would have the security to plan and take […]
Pirro hopes post-coronavirus F1 ‘more viable’
Apr.15 (GMM) Emanuele Pirro, an Italian former F1 driver, hopes the coronavirus situation leads down the path of a “more viable and accessible Formula 1”. Nine races have already been either cancelled or postponed, and now Silverstone and Paul Ricard look set to follow. “I see that Wimbledon, a week earlier than Silverstone, has already […]
Magnussen remembers ‘greatest legend’ Stirling Moss
Apr.15 (GMM) The world of Formula 1 has lost an “incredible man”, according to Kevin Magnussen. The Haas driver is referring to F1 legend Sir Stirling Moss, who died on Easter Sunday at the age of 90, following a long illness. “He was an incredible man in every way,” Magnussen told the Danish newspaper BT. […]
F1’s 2020 calendar plans ‘absurd’ – Lehto
Apr.15 (GMM) Former F1 driver JJ Lehto thinks Formula 1’s current plan for the post-coronavirus phase is “absurd”. Currently, the sport – like many others – is simply waiting for approval to return to action. In F1’s case, the idea is that a concentrated calendar of up to 18 or 19 races may then be […]