Sep.24 (GMM) Michael Masi says he is unable to share much information about investigations into the crash that killed Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert. In the wake of the horror crash that also sees Juan Manuel Correa still seriously injured in a London hospital, investigations were launched by Belgian authorities and F1’s governing body. Australian […]
Doornbos worried about Newey’s F1 involvement
Sep.24 (GMM) A former Red Bull driver has expressed concerns about the F1 team’s technical future. After Singapore, Dr Helmut Marko said a simulator error led to a setup problem that cost Max Verstappen a chance of winning the night race. Verstappen called the weekend a “wake-up call”. Just days earlier, it was announced that […]
Briatore doubts Ferrari can win title
Sep.24 (GMM) Flavio Briatore doubts Ferrari can catch up with Mercedes for the 2019 title. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is leading the best-placed Ferrari by 96 points, but Toto Wolff has warned that it amounts only to “four race wins”. “I am under no illusion that my gap in the championship could disappear,” Hamilton agreed. At […]
Zandvoort happy with minister’s support
Sep.24 (GMM) Dutch GP race organisers are happy to receive the support of the national government. We reported this week that concerns about nitrogen emissions are holding up thousands of construction projects in the Netherlands. But sport minister Bruno Bruins said he “of course” wants the Formula 1 race to go ahead on time in […]
Hamilton warns he could lose 2019 title
Sep.24 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has warned Mercedes that he risks not winning the 2019 world championship. The Briton’s championship lead is actually huge — 96 points to the nearest Ferrari. “That’s four race wins,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. “We cannot allows ourselves to be so stupid that we mess up that advantage.” But […]
Ferrari ‘hungrier than Mercedes’ – Hamilton
Sep.23 (GMM) Championship leader Lewis Hamilton criticised Mercedes after the Singapore GP. The Briton was not even on the podium on Sunday, as Sebastian Vettel broke his long victory drought and Ferrari secured its first three-race winning streak since 2008. Toto Wolff calls Ferrari’s upgraded car a “monster”, but Hamilton thinks Mercedes also messed up […]
Magnussen eyes other races outside F1
Sep.23 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen is eyeing next January’s Daytona 24 hour race. Recently, the Dane lamented his stalled midfield career in Formula 1, declaring: “I will only race in Formula 1 as long as I believe I can become world champion.” Now, the Haas driver has admitted to starting to look beyond the F1 paddock. […]
Simulator error caused Singapore struggle – Marko
Sep.23 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says a “mistake” in the simulator prior to Singapore spoiled Red Bull’s chance of victory. Max Verstappen finished third behind the Ferraris, and when asked if there was a chance of a better result on a track that was expected to suit Red Bull, he answered simply: “No. “I could […]
Masi surprised by reaction to decisions
Sep.23 (GMM) F1 race director Michael Masi says he has been surprised by the reaction to new approaches to wheel-to-wheel racing taken in Formula 1 this year. Australian Masi took over at extremely short notice following the sudden death of Charlie Whiting in Melbourne. Under his regime, there have been several controversies based on wheel-to-wheel […]
Gasly not ruling out 2020 Red Bull return
Sep.23 (GMM) Pierre Gasly is not ruling out the possibility of a return to Red Bull for 2020. In Singapore, Dr Helmut Marko said Daniil Kvyat is not in the running for the seat currently occupied by Alex Albon. Rookie Albon was called up by the senior team following Gasly’s struggles in the first half […]
Kubica does not want simulator-only F1 job
Sep.23 (GMM) Robert Kubica says he does not want to become a mere simulator driver in Formula 1. The Pole, who has struggled on his return to the grid this year, is not staying at Williams for 2020. He has subsequently been linked with potential reserve and simulator roles at Racing Point or Haas. “In […]
Nitrogen concerns could affect Dutch GP – minister
Sep.23 (GMM) Dutch deputy sport minister Bruno Bruins hopes next year’s race at Zandvoort is not affected by environmental concerns. Concerned about the effect of nitrogen emissions on biodiversity, it is believed that thousands of construction projects in the country could be delayed. Perhaps the most prominent of those potentially delayed projects is the work […]
Mercedes needs update to catch Ferrari – Hamilton
Sep.22 (GMM) Ferrari’s rivals are surprised by the Italian team’s pace in Singapore. When reminded after qualifying that it is Charles Leclerc’s third pole on the trot, championship leader Lewis Hamilton exclaimed: “Shit!” Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is also upset about not being faster, telling Ziggo Sport: “I came here to win.” Mercedes’ Hamilton explained […]
Teams to discuss ‘open source’ parts idea for 2021
Sep.22 (GMM) Formula 1 teams are still squabbling with Liberty Media and the FIA over the proposed rules for 2021. The budget cap and standard parts are designed to help the smaller teams like Racing Point, but even the Silverstone based outfit is not impressed with the latest car concept called ‘Lima’. “All the cars […]
F1 drivers slam sprint race qualifying idea
Sep.22 (GMM) Formula 1 drivers have slammed a proposal to radically shake up the qualifying format. In meetings with Liberty Media and the FIA in Singapore, team bosses discussed the possibility of scrapping the current format to install a Saturday sprint race. The grid for the sprint race would be in reverse championship order, with […]
Haas eyes Kubica for reserve driver role
Sep.22 (GMM) Haas boss Gunther Steiner has expressed interest in signing up Robert Kubica for 2020. Kubica, who will leave Williams at the end of the season, is being tipped to race in the German touring car series DTM next year. But it is believed he might combine that race seat with a reserve driver […]
Formula E teams showing ‘interest’ – Hulkenberg
Sep.22 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg is no longer completely ruling out a switch to Formula E. Earlier, after losing his Renault seat for 2020, the German said the prospect of racing in the all-electric single seater series was “not exactly exciting”. But since then, potential alternatives at Haas and probably also Alfa Romeo and Red Bull […]
Kvyat not in running for Albon’s seat – Marko
Sep.22 (GMM) Alex Albon looks to be on pole position to keep his seat at Red Bull for 2020. Dr Helmut Marko, the notorious boss of the energy drink marque’s driver programme, said in Singapore that Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat is not in the running to be Max Verstappen’s teammate. “We will do our […]
Grosjean not sure why reputation so bad
Sep.21 (GMM) Romain Grosjean says he is not sure why his reputation in Formula 1 is not so great. Daniel Ricciardo this week said he was “surprised” that Haas decided to keep the Frenchman for 2020 rather than sign up Nico Hulkenberg. Red Bull boss Christian Horner agreed, calling Haas’ call “interesting” and “hard to […]
Hulkenberg thinks shyness hurt F1 career
Sep.21 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg thinks shyness might have held him back in Formula 1. Since 2010, the 32-year-old has driven for Williams, Force India, Sauber and Renault, but he has lost his seat for 2020 and is struggling to find another. Holding the record as the longest-serving F1 driver without a single podium, the German […]