Aug.6 (GMM) Liberty Media is in talks with Saudi Arabia about a grand prix in the controversial Kingdom for 2021. London’s Times newspaper reveals that talks between Saudi officials and F1’s owner have taken place “several” times. Correspondent Rebecca Clancy also said the “teams have been asked for their views” about racing in Saudi Arabia, […]
Boss expects Ferrari to speed up after break
Aug.6 (GMM) Team boss Mattia Binotto is expecting Ferrari to speed up again after the summer break. “A week ago, we were the fastest car on the track,” the Italian said after Hungary, referring to the previous German GP where Sebastian Vettel scythed through the field from the back. But in Hungary, it was Mercedes […]
‘Nice’ that Verstappen exit clause in past – Marko
Aug.6 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has confirmed that Max Verstappen is definitely staying at Red Bull-Honda in 2020. The Dutchman already had a contract beyond this season, but stories over the past days and weeks had suggested that he could flee to Mercedes thanks to a performance-related exit clause. We reported during last weekend’s Hungarian […]
Marko says ‘we’ll see’ to Gasly’s 2019 seat
Aug.6 (GMM) Christian Horner says it is “essential” that Red Bull has two cars near the front of the F1 field. And with Max Verstappen currently electrifying the sport, it is clear that he is referring to the Dutchman’s struggling teammate Pierre Gasly. Amid rumours he is about to lose his seat, Frenchman Gasly recently […]
F2 win helps on road to Formula 1 – Schumacher
Aug.5 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has finally added a Formula 2 victory to his resume as he pushes towards the pinnacle of motorsport. Already a member of Ferrari’s development academy, the reigning European F3 champion stepped up to the F1 feeder series this year. But before last weekend’s round in Hungary, the 20-year-old son of F1 […]
Teams approve 22nd race for 2020 – Wolff
Aug.5 (GMM) Barcelona looks to have been shown the green light to organise a grand prix in 2020. Earlier, the fate of the Spanish GP looked grim, but in the past few days the local Catalan government emerged in support of a one-off race deal for 2020. However, with the calendar currently capped at 21 […]
Kubica ‘eating different dish’ to Russell
Aug.5 (GMM) Robert Kubica is yet to benefit from what seems to have been a clear step forward for Williams and George Russell. Over the last few races, the once-great backmarker team has introduced car upgrades, but Pole Kubica has remained dead last. In contrast, his teammate Russell finally pulled himself off the back row […]
Hamilton hits back at critical Rosberg
Aug.5 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has hit back at former teammate Nico Rosberg following a string of recent comments by the 2016 world champion. In his video blog and elsewhere, Rosberg has recently said Max Verstappen is now a better driver than the five time world champion, partly because of 34-year-old Hamilton’s age. Hamilton, who had […]
Alfa Romeo can’t control private life – Raikkonen
Aug.5 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he will not stop doing dangerous activities just because he is in Formula 1. Well known for loving rallying, motocross and most recently jumping from a building into a swimming pool, the 39-year-old Finn insists that his life away from F1 is up to him. “I haven’t read my contract […]
Bottas admits he has ‘plan B’ for 2020
Aug.5 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has revealed he has a “plan B” in case Mercedes does not keep him for 2020. Team boss Toto Wolff is openly weighing up between keeping the Finn, or promoting reserve driver Esteban Ocon to become Lewis Hamilton’s new teammate. Bottas’ case was not helped in Hungary, where he had his […]
Hulkenberg unhappy with Renault ‘situation’
Aug.4 (GMM) Whilst riding a crest of form with Honda power, Max Verstappen has launched a stinging jibe at Red Bull’s former engine supplier. After the team split with Renault for 2019, the Dutchman has won two of the last three grands prix and his first-ever pole position in Hungary. At the same time, Renault […]
F1 could reduce winter testing by two days
Aug.4 (GMM) F1 could reduce the amount of pre-season testing to free up capacity for another race. Liberty Media has asked the teams for their agreement to sign a 2020 race deal with Barcelona, which would bring the calendar to an unprecedented 22 grands prix. “I think in principle, yes is the answer,” Red Bull […]
Red Bull, Ferrari say no to Alonso for 2020
Aug.4 (GMM) There is no place for Fernando Alonso at any of the top three Formula 1 teams for 2020. Mercedes has named its candidates for Lewis Hamilton’s next teammate, while Dr Helmut Marko gave a clear answer when asked about whether Alonso might end his sabbatical by joining Red Bull. “No,” he sternly told […]
FIA asks teams, drivers, about F1 penalties
Aug.4 (GMM) The FIA has asked F1’s ten team bosses and 20 drivers for their opinions about how on-track incidents should be penalised. In Hungary, race director Michael Masi presented them with an anonymous questionnaire about 12 controversial incidents over the past few years. It follows intense discussions over how often the stewards intervene with […]
Verstappen talks not about 2020 seat – Wolff
Aug.4 (GMM) It has been a busy weekend so far for Max Verstappen’s management. Amid a spate of ‘Verstappen mania’ in Formula 1, the Dutchman has been linked with a shock switch to Mercedes for 2020. One German report revealed that Toto Wolff met for dinner in Budapest with Max’s father Jos. “That is not […]
Mercedes ‘must take Verstappen seriously’ – Wolff
Aug.4 (GMM) Max Verstappen is a genuine contender for the 2019 world championship. That is the view of Toto Wolff, after Red Bull driver Verstappen in Hungary added his first ever pole to his run of impressive recent form. Verstappen is 63 points behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton. “There are still 260 points available for […]
Magnussen says he ‘needs’ August break
Aug.4 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he is more than looking forward to the August break. It has been an incredibly intense first half of the season for Haas, with the Pirelli tyre situation, the farcical title sponsor saga, and a spate of collisions between the drivers. Now, the confused American team is experimenting with its […]
Russell better off at Williams for now – Wolff
Aug.4 (GMM) Toto Wolff has ruled George Russell out of the running for the seat alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year. Earlier, team boss Wolff had already admitted that Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Ocon were solely in competition for the 2020 cockpit. He says Russell is better off spending another year at Williams. “He […]
Two drivers in running for 2020 seat – Wolff
Aug.3 (GMM) Toto Wolff says there are only two candidates in the running to be Lewis Hamilton’s teammate in 2020. Since Nico Rosberg suddenly retired at the end of 2016, Hamilton has been teamed up with Finn Valtteri Bottas. But now team boss Wolff is considering replacing him with Esteban Ocon, the former Force India […]
F1 will still use fuel in 20 years – Taffin
Aug.3 (GMM) Renault’s engine boss doubts Formula 1 will leave behind its fuel-powered era within the next 20 years. In an ever more ‘green’-minded world, and the ever rising success of Formula E, it is speculated that F1 could eventually ramp up its hybrid credentials to do away with fuel altogether. But Renault’s Remi Taffin […]