Jun.21 (GMM) Max Verstappen has hit back at claims about how easy driving a modern Formula 1 car is. Recently, Lewis Hamilton said he could do three race distances on the trot, while Romain Grosjean says go-karting is more physically demanding than F1. Red Bull’s Verstappen said he does not agree. “If I go karting […]
FIA to hear Vettel penalty review on Friday
Jun.21 (GMM) The FIA will hear Ferrari’s stewards ‘review’ on Friday. Two weeks after the controversial decision that cost Sebastian Vettel victory in Canada, the topic totally preoccupied the Paul Ricard paddock on Thursday. “Maybe someone wants to ask something about France?” Vettel joked to reporters. The German married his long-time partner Hanna in between […]
Struggling Giovinazzi ‘will never give up’
Jun.20 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi has vowed to “never give up” in his quest to improve and succeed in Formula 1. The Italian rookie immediately impressed when he stepped in at short notice at Sauber in 2017 for the then injured Pascal Wehrlein. But he also made waves by crashing in both qualifying and the race […]
Vettel time penalty review ‘on standby’ – report
Jun.20 (GMM) Ferrari’s stewards review of the Canada GP time penalty is “on standby”. That is the news from Daniele Sparisci, the correspondent for Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper. We reported earlier that the stewards at Paul Ricard were expected to make a decision about the review of Sebastian Vettel’s controversial Montreal time penalty by […]
$175m budget cap for 2021 ‘a big number’ – Brown
Jun.20 (GMM) The $175 million a year budget cap for 2021 will not provide the level playing ground some F1 teams were hoping for. That is the view of Zak Brown, the McLaren supremo who told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport that the leaked figure was “not a surprise”. “Of course there are things that […]
Carey hints one-sided season hurting F1
Jun.20 (GMM) Chase Carey has admitted the one-sided 2019 season may be contributing to Formula 1’s crashing television ratings in some markets. In Germany, for instance, viewership on free-to-air RTL this season is down compared to 2018 by a factor of about a million pairs of eyes per race. But Carey, the F1 CEO, says […]
Stewards set to rule on Vettel penalty ‘review’
Jun.19 (GMM) The FIA could rule within hours on Ferrari’s request for a “review” of the time penalty that cost Sebastian Vettel victory in Canada. The review is believed to now be in the hands of the French GP stewards at Paul Ricard, who will connect with the Montreal stewards by video conference. Sources suggest […]
Alonso eyes ‘winning car’ for 2020 F1 return
Jun.19 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has admitted he could return to Formula 1 in 2020. The new back-to-back Le Mans winner will not return to the world endurance championship next year, and now he has told the Italian magazine Man In Town that the F1 door remains open. “If F1 becomes an attractive option again, there […]
F1 may become ‘bookkeeping championship’ – Marko
Jun.19 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says F1 risks becoming a “bookkeeping world championship”. While confirmation of the 2021 rules has been delayed until October, it is believed the $175 million budget cap is definitely set in stone. F1 CEO Chase Carey stands by the plan. “It took us well over a year to discuss the […]
Carey still planning for 25 race calendars
Jun.19 (GMM) Liberty Media looks set to push ahead with plans for greater than 21-race calendars in the future. Vietnam and Zandvoort are joining the 2020 schedule, but Liberty has decided to keep the 21-race limit for now by ousting two existing promoters. However, F1 CEO Chase Carey seems determined to follow through with an […]
No more ‘futuristic’ look for 2021 cars – report
Jun.19 (GMM) F1 teams are apparently worried about the look of the proposed cars for 2021. Earlier, fans were generally happy with the futuristic appearance of the mocked-up drawings based on the as-yet unconfirmed new rules. But although Liberty Media and the FIA asked the teams to keep quiet in Montreal recently, it is believed […]
Kubica not ruling out Williams exit
Jun.18 (GMM) Robert Kubica is not ruling out a change of teams in Formula 1. The Pole has hinted that Williams is not giving him identical equipment to teammate George Russell, suggesting their cars are in fact often “two different worlds”. It came as Kubica’s sponsor, the Polish oil company PKN Orlen, admitted the 34-year-old […]
Pirelli CEO admits wanting Ferrari race wins
Jun.18 (GMM) The CEO of Pirelli has hit back at suggestions the F1 tyre supplier is favouring Mercedes. Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko triggered the favouritism rumours when he suggested the difficult-to-understand tyres of 2019 are suited mainly to Mercedes. “Unfortunately our drink cans are not delivered with tyres,” he said. But Marco Tronchetti Provera, […]
Spa promoter wants to renegotiate F1 contract
Jun.18 (GMM) Organisers of the Belgian grand prix at Spa Francorchamps say they want to renegotiate their contract with Formula 1. Last year, race promoter Spa Grand Prix signed a new contract with Liberty Media for three more years until 2021. “It is a good agreement that ensures an event that promotes the Wallonia region […]
Carey defends October delay for 2021 rules
Jun.18 (GMM) Chase Carey has defended the decision to postpone the announcement of the rules for 2021. Some see the October delay as a sign that Formula 1 is crippled by a lack of consensus about the direction the sport should head in. But Carey, the F1 chief executive working for Liberty Media, says the […]
Ferrari asks FIA for Vettel penalty ‘review’
Jun.18 (GMM) Ferrari is pushing ahead with its request for a “review” of the penalty that cost Sebastian Vettel victory in Canada. The Maranello team earlier dropped its intention to appeal the controversial stewards decision, instead deciding to pursue another path. “We have the right to request a review,” a spokeswoman said. She said further […]
Sponsor says Kubica could change teams
Jun.17 (GMM) Robert Kubica’s sponsor is not ruling out a change of teams for the struggling Polish driver. Of the ten teammate pairings in 2019, no gap is greater gap than the one between Kubica and his impressive rookie teammate George Russell. But Kubica, who returned to F1 in 2019 with permanent arm injuries after […]
Todt plays down Vettel penalty controversy
Jun.17 (GMM) Jean Todt has played down the controversy about the penalty that cost Sebastian Vettel victory in Canada. Vettel was livid after the Montreal race, and Ferrari is looking into presenting enough evidence for a “review” of the stewards decision. Others insist that it was a perfect example of F1’s overregulation, and that the […]
F1 ‘not always boring’ – Alonso
Jun.17 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has denied that Formula 1 is boring. The mercurial Spaniard quit F1 at the end of last year, and McLaren boss Zak Brown says there is no room at the Woking team for Alonso in 2020. As for a return to Ferrari for Alonso, he told Corriere dello Sport: “I don’t […]
McLaren plays down 2020 F1 return for Alonso
Jun.17 (GMM) Zak Brown has all but ruled out a return to McLaren for Fernando Alonso. The McLaren supremo says the team is happy with its current race drivers, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz. “Lando has not made a rookie mistake yet and Carlos is thriving here,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. “So far, […]