Mar.20 (GMM) Even amid the coronavirus crisis, a new Formula 1 team project is pressing on. Last September, it emerged that a prospective new outfit called Panthera Team Asia had set up camp near Silverstone. Co-founder Benjamin Durand said then: “Our goal is Formula 1 in 2021.” And even now, Durand says the project is […]
Paul Ricard ‘on stand-by’ amid virus crisis – Boullier
Mar.20 (GMM) Paul Ricard is “on standby” for news about the F1 venue’s scheduled late June race date for the French GP. Every race until June – seven so far – has either been postponed or cancelled, meaning that on the original calendar, France is now technically round 3. But Zandvoort boss Jan Lammers doubts […]
Wolff, Stroll absent from F1 coronavirus talks
Mar.20 (GMM) Two conspicuous absences from F1’s crisis conference calls are sure to ramp up speculation about the future of Toto Wolff. The Daily Mail reports that both Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, and Racing Point owner Lawrence Stroll did not take part in two separate rounds of talks this week that discussed the sport’s […]
2021 Ferrari deal ‘in Vettel’s hands’ – boss
Mar.20 (GMM) Talks with Sebastian Vettel about a new Ferrari contract for 2021 are underway. That is the news from Mattia Binotto, the Ferrari boss. Currently, the factory at Maranello is closed as Italy is battered by the coronavirus pandemic. “The health of our employees is important. It’s our top priority,” he told F1’s official […]
Zandvoort says delayed August race may not be ‘ethical’
Mar.20 (GMM) Organisers of the Dutch GP say it is the right thing to postpone the May 3 race at Zandvoort. On Thursday, it was decided that Zandvoort and Barcelona will be delayed, while the prestigious Monaco GP, scheduled for May 24, has been cancelled outright. Jan Lammers, representing Zandvoort, told the Dutch broadcaster NOS […]
Coronavirus decisions pose ‘challenge’ for McLaren
Mar.20 (GMM) With the entire F1 world in disarray over the coronavirus pandemic, McLaren is facing another “interesting challenge”. That is the view of Lawrence Barretto, a writer for F1’s official website. He is referring to the fact that the British team is currently scheduled to switch from Renault to Mercedes power for 2021. However, […]
Monaco says 2020 GP cannot be rescheduled
Mar.20 (GMM) Although Zandvoort, Barcelona and Monaco’s 2020 race dates will no longer take place as scheduled, only the latter historic street race has been cancelled altogether. “As soon as the new date of the grand prix is confirmed, all spectators will be informed about the available options,” organisers of the Spanish GP said. Dutch […]
F1 to organise own alternative ‘virtual’ GPs
Mar.19 (GMM) Formula 1 is set to jump aboard the world of virtual racing. On the face of it, this has already happened in the form of the official F1 Esports Series, which has raced since 2017 starring top gamers. But it was only after Melbourne was cancelled did F1’s wider fan-base embrace the full […]
Perez ruing lost opportunity of 2020
Mar.19 (GMM) With F1 in tatters over coronavirus, Sergio Perez is ruing what could finally have been a great season for him. The Mexican is quoted by Spain’s AS newspaper: “For a year when I have a car…” He is referring to the fact that he may not even get to race what was being […]
F1 floundering amid coronavirus crisis
Mar.19 (GMM) With the coronavirus pandemic having brought the sport – and the wider world – to an indefinite standstill, Formula 1 is still grappling to decide its next moves. In hurriedly organised teleconferences involving the teams, the FIA and Liberty Media, one major focus has been the reorganisation of the existing 2020 calendar. With […]
Hamilton not eyeing leap to Formula E
Mar.18 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is not yet looking to leap into Formula E – even though he admits that could be a more “ethical” choice. The six-time world champion has become outspoken on various progressive issues of the day, including climate change, sustainability and veganism. And for that reason, he admits that Formula […]
Surname ‘no guarantee’ of F1 debut – Schumacher
Mar.18 (GMM) Mick Schumacher says he knows his surname is “not a guarantee” of a future in Formula 1. A year ago, as the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s Formula 2 career kicked off, the Ferrari junior secured tests in current-spec Ferrari and Alfa Romeo cars. But the Schumacher hype is now comparatively muted, […]
F1 to discuss ‘plan B’ calendar on Thursday
Mar.18 (GMM) Chase Carey has admitted that, amid the ongoing global coronavirus crisis, he isn’t sure when the 2020 season will get underway. That is despite the fact that reports are doing the rounds that suggest F1’s authorities are now busily working on a ‘plan B’ calendar. Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport says a video […]
Barcelona boss says ‘difficult’ to save 2020 Monaco GP
Mar.17 (GMM) Barcelona circuit boss Joan Fontsere admits that May’s Spanish GP will almost certainly not happen. Although only Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam and China have been postponed officially, F1 has admitted that the races in May are also unlikely to take place. “Our postponement is basically set,” Fonsere told El Mundo Deportivo newspaper. “F1 is […]
Abiteboul plays down Vettel to Renault talk
Mar.17 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has played down the possibility that Sebastian Vettel might join Renault from 2021. The team boss admits that Renault may lose Daniel Ricciardo at the end of this year. “He should only be retained on a good basis – a shared basis,” Abiteboul told Canal Plus. “It’s an answer without an […]
Vettel unsure about returning to F1 midfield
Mar.17 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel says he does not know if he would accept a step back into a midfield F1 team. At present, the quadruple world champion’s contract at Ferrari is set to run out at the end of 2020. Dr Helmut Marko has said the energy drink team cannot afford to bring Vettel back […]
Marko stays out of Kvyat-Piquet split
Mar.17 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says he has kept out of Daniil Kvyat’s relationship problems. Last July, just before he was on the podium at Hockenheim, the Russian’s then partner Kelly Piquet – the daughter of the triple world champion Nelson – gave birth to their first child. Kvyat and Piquet then split just before […]
Pirelli confirms F1’s second coronavirus infection
Mar.17 (GMM) A member of Pirelli’s travelling F1 staff has tested positive for coronavirus in Melbourne. The news comes as McLaren confirms that the team member who tested positive in the paddock last Thursday is now recovering and “the symptoms have gone”. However, F1 now has its second confirmed infection. “The person concerned is now […]
‘Silly season’ also facing 2020 delay – Salo
Mar.17 (GMM) F1’s driver ‘silly season’ this year is likely to be delayed. That is the view of former F1 driver Mika Salo, who told the Finnish broadcaster MTV that the coronavirus situation and delayed 2020 championship will mean that contract talks over 2021 are also facing delays. Salo also pointed out another problem. “This […]
Giovinazzi admits eyeing Vettel’s seat
Mar.17 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi says he has set his sights on a Ferrari race seat for 2021. Sebastian Vettel’s contract runs out at the end of the year, and Ferrari junior and current Alfa Romeo racer Giovinazzi, who is Italian, does not hide that he is eyeing that seat. “I am aware that this will […]