Mar.30 (GMM) Even the big teams are financially exposed to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher. Many have expressed fears about the ongoing viability of the smaller teams during this unprecedented phase without grands prix. “At the moment, we have to worry not only about the small teams, […]
Rivals must make Hamilton ‘uncomfortable’ – Hill
Mar.27 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s only weakness may be when a rival makes him “feel uncomfortable”. That is the view of 1996 world champion Damon Hill, the famous former nemesis of the great Michael Schumacher and now a pundit for British television. When asked to name some of six-time world champion Hamilton’s weaknesses, he told the […]
Abiteboul denies Renault set to quit F1
Mar.27 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has denied that Renault is poised to quit Formula 1. When McLaren announced recently that it is pushing ahead with its switch to Mercedes power for 2021 despite the delayed regulations, some interpreted that as a sign that current supplier Renault may be pulling out. Renault struggled on track last year […]
Villeneuve doubts Canada GP can go ahead
Mar.27 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve thinks the coronavirus situation could be about to get a lot worse. The 1997 world champion, who is now a commentator for Italian and French television, lives on the outskirts of Milan – the region that has been the hardest hit by the global pandemic than anywhere else on earth. “We […]
Alpha Tauri pair say no to new F1 esports trend
Mar.27 (GMM) Alpha Tauri’s two race drivers will not be taking part in the new trend of high-profile online virtual racing. Team boss Franz Tost admits that it is a “potential market” for F1 teams – but he says he isn’t personally interested either. “I didn’t see the race because I can’t get the ORF […]
Sainz not ‘scared’ but ‘worried’ about crisis
Mar.27 (GMM) In terms of health, McLaren has managed to emerge unscathed from the Melbourne coronavirus scare. As well as the positive coronavirus infection that caused the cancellation of the Australian GP, over a dozen other McLaren team members have also been stuck in quarantine in Melbourne. “It was not easy for anyone on our […]
Steiner working hard to keep Haas alive
Mar.27 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says he is working hard to protect Haas from collapse amid the coronavirus pandemic. He is in North Carolina, where he lives and runs the small American team. Steiner said the US state is partially closed but the locals are “calmer” than elsewhere. “People have respect for the future, but are […]
F1 must stick together or teams will fold – Vasseur
Mar.27 (GMM) “The biggest crisis” in Formula 1 history could result in a mass exodus of teams. That is the dire warning of Frederic Vasseur, boss of the Alfa Romeo team formerly known as Sauber. “This is the biggest crisis – I can’t remember a situation in which Formula 1 was facing a bigger challenge,” […]
‘Distinct danger’ F1 could lose small teams
Mar.26 (GMM) David Richards has called on Liberty Media to ensure the smaller F1 teams are “looked after” amid the global pandemic and economic crash. Formerly an F1 team boss, Richards is now head of Motorsport UK, Britain’s motorsport governing body. Most Formula 1 teams are based in England, and are staring into a long […]
Red Bull not giving up on FIA-Ferrari complaint
Mar.26 (GMM) Red Bull will not simply abandon its push to get to the bottom of the secret agreement reached between the FIA and Ferrari. Before the coronavirus pandemic took over Formula 1 and the entire world, the hottest topic was a big group of teams threatening legal action over the way F1’s governing body […]
Marko thinks he had coronavirus in February
Mar.26 (GMM) One day after Flavio Briatore revealed he may have had coronavirus in December, Dr Helmut Marko is telling a similar story. “In the middle of February I had a bad cold with a strong cough,” Red Bull’s top Austrian official told f1-insider.com. “The condition lasted for ten days, which was unusually long for […]
World in store for ‘weeks’ of shutdown – Alonso
Mar.26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso thinks the world needs to brace for “many weeks” of coronavirus lockdown. The Spaniard was recently critical of his own country’s response to the global pandemic, which is now leading to dire news similar to that seen in China and Italy. “I think it’s time to stay home,” he is quoted […]
Now Grosjean questions realism of Netflix series
Mar.26 (GMM) Yet another driver has questioned the realism of the latest ‘Drive to Survive’ series on Netflix. Some drivers have said that while supporting the high quality series, it doesn’t necessary reflect the true state of affairs behind closed doors in F1. In one scene, Romain Grosjean’s boss Gunther Steiner told the Frenchman in […]
F1 coronavirus calendar ‘crazy’ and ‘brutal’ – Magnussen
Mar.26 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says the prospect of 18 races in six months sounds “crazy”. Some are sceptical that Formula 1 will get back to racing at all this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the official plan is for 15-18 races beginning in June. “It sounds crazy to have 18 races in six months,” […]
Ferrari to struggle in 2021 too – Danner
Mar.26 (GMM) Although locked in the midst of Italy’s tragic coronavirus situation, Ferrari may also be ruing the latest goings on in the world of Formula 1. Earlier, it emerged that only one team – Ferrari – was initially undecided about joining the otherwise unanimous vote to keep the 2020 cars next year rather than […]
Hulkenberg making most of coronavirus shutdown
Mar.26 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says he is making the most of the world’s collective pause for the coronavirus pandemic. The German’s first ‘track’ action since losing his Renault seat at the end of last year was his recent participation in a high profile ‘esports’ race from his Monaco apartment. Otherwise, Hulkenberg says he is trying […]
Champion ‘not comfortable’ about Super Formula test
Mar.26 (GMM) 2019 Super Formula champion Nick Cassidy says he feels uncomfortable about returning to the track this week. While every other major series in the world is paused for the coronavirus pandemic, the top Japanese open wheeler category pressed ahead with official testing at Fuji. “Not comfortable about it,” series champion Cassidy, a New […]
Sainz deserves rising reputation – Alguersuari
Mar.24 (GMM) Carlos Sainz deserves his rising status in Formula 1. That is the view of former F1 driver and fellow Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari, who over a decade ago became the youngest ever F1 driver. Now retired from racing and a professional DJ, he is turning 30. The only Spaniard left on the grid now […]
Drivers had ‘no choice’ about Melbourne trip – Grosjean
Mar.24 (GMM) Christian Horner has defended F1’s decision to travel to Melbourne just two weeks ago. It has been a whirlwind fortnight for Formula 1 and the world, as the coronavirus pandemic takes an iron grip. But according to some, F1 should have seen the writing on the wall before heading to Australia. “In Formula […]
Verstappen should not fear coronavirus – Marko
Mar.24 (GMM) Max Verstappen should not fear coronavirus, according to his boss Dr Helmut Marko. The brash, tough and plain-speaking 76-year-old Austrian told Kronen Zeitung newspaper: “It would be best if Max caught the virus now.” But Marko, the head of Red Bull’s notorious driver program, does not mean that he wishes his star driver […]