Nov.21 (GMM) Red Bull “still believes” in Pierre Gasly. That is the claim of Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner, even though the team demoted the French driver earlier in 2019. But Horner says Gasly accepted the Toro Rosso demotion with the right attitude, and it paid off when he finished a sensational second in […]
Schumacher must do well in F2 next year – Lehto
Nov.21 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has no choice other than to do a second season in Formula 2 next year. That is the view of former F1 driver JJ Lehto, who told the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti that Michael Schumacher’s son may even have been under consideration for a 2020 debut with Alfa Romeo. However, 20-year-old Schumacher […]
Brazil crash ‘a shame’ for Ferrari – Giovinazzi
Nov.21 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi says 2020 is an “important season” for both himself and Alfa Romeo. It is believed team boss Frederic Vasseur considered linking back up for 2020 with Nico Hulkenberg – his protege from the junior categories. But after a boost in late-season form and with Ferrari’s continued backing of the Italian driver, […]
Ferrari fuel system seizure ‘good’ – Surer
Nov.21 (GMM) Amid rumours of technical trickery or even cheating, the FIA has confiscated the fuel system of Ferrari’s 2019 car. Following two technical directives and raised eyebrows about the power produced by Ferrari’s power unit, Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport says the FIA is going to study the layout of the system over the […]
Verstappen ‘very popular’ in Brazil – Barrichello
Nov.20 (GMM) Max Verstappen has become “very popular” in Brazil, according to former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello. Once strongly represented in F1, featuring legends like Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet and multiple race winners including Barrichello and Felipe Massa, there is no longer a single Brazilian driver on the grid. But Barrichello says the Brazilian […]
Hulkenberg to blame for F1 exit – Jason Watt
Nov.20 (GMM) Jason Watt, a former F3000 winner, says he is not surprised that Nico Hulkenberg’s Formula 1 career is ending. Having lost his race seat at Renault for 2020, Hulkenberg was in the running for drives at Haas and Alfa Romeo but instead will farewell the paddock next weekend in Abu Dhabi. Watt says […]
Lehto wonders about Brazil GP ‘conspiracy theory’
Nov.20 (GMM) Former F1 driver JJ Lehto has raised a potential “conspiracy theory” in the wake of last Sunday’s Brazilian GP. Although the late-race incidents involving the Ferrari drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Alex Albon were decisive, Finn Lehto thinks there could be more behind the historic Honda-powered one-two. “Remember that Mercedes has already won both […]
Both Ferrari drivers to blame for crash – Villeneuve
Nov.20 (GMM) Both Ferrari drivers are to blame for their Interlagos crash. That is the view of outspoken 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, after team boss Mattia Binotto said of the incident: “It’s not for me to blame them”. Villeneuve, however, told Sky Italia: “Vettel and Leclerc are allowed to fight among themselves, but they […]
Miami GP plans get six-month reprieve
Nov.20 (GMM) Hopes that Miami will be able to host a Formula 1 race in 2021 will stay alive for at least another “three to six months”, according to local mayor Carlos Gimenez. F1 has reached a deal in principle for a race at and near Hard Rock Stadium, but preparations hit an early snag […]
Alonso could still win F1 title – Verstappen
Nov.19 (GMM) Fernando Alonso would return to Formula 1 as a clear top-three driver. That is the view of Max Verstappen, who was recently complimented by former F1 driver Alonso for his constant “attack mode” at the wheel of his Red Bull. Now, Verstappen is returning the compliment by predicting that a 2021 return to […]
Jerez in talks for 2021-2023 Spanish GP deal
Nov.19 (GMM) Jerez could become the next Spanish GP host. For 2020, Spain is only remaining on the calendar because Barcelona concluded eleventh-hour negotiations for a single-year deal that involved pushing out the calendar to an unprecedented 22 races. But for 2021, there could be a change of venues. Citing local sources, newspapers El Mundo […]
Sao Paulo offers to pay ‘fee’ for F1 race
Nov.19 (GMM) Sao Paulo is prepared to pay a “fee” to keep the Brazilian GP at Interlagos. Earlier in 2019, the future of the race became clouded when controversial president Jair Bolsonaro said the chance of a switch to Rio de Janeiro is “99 per cent”. It is believed one of the factors in Rio’s […]
Kubica admits blame for only one 2019 crash
Nov.19 (GMM) Robert Kubica claims he is responsible for only one of his crashes in 2019. The Pole’s inspirational F1 comeback will end after next weekend’s Abu Dhabi finale, but he has been linked with a reserve role for 2020. 2019 has been abysmal for both the 34-year-old, who has notably struggled alongside rookie George […]
Manager in ‘contact’ over Verstappen’s future
Nov.19 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s management is reportedly in “contact” with Red Bull about their joint future. Currently, the Dutch driver and Brazil GP winner is committed only for 2020, when manager Raymond Vermeulen said the team must charge for the title. “It was a very good weekend, with excellent strategic decisions, and Honda – it […]
Red Bull, Honda, close to 2021 extension – reports
Nov.19 (GMM) Red Bull and Honda are moving closer to extending their works Formula 1 collaboration beyond 2020. Officially, the Japanese engine manufacturer – like others on the grid – are yet to sign up for the sweeping new regulations of 2021. But after a difficult return to the sport with McLaren in 2015, Honda […]
Max’s grandfather Frans Verstappen dies
Nov.19 (GMM) Brazil GP winner Max Verstappen’s grandfather has died. 1Limburg, as well as other Dutch news sources, are confirming that Frans Verstappen, who is Jos Verstappen’s father, died of cancer in a hospice at the age of 72. Frans was reportedly admitted earlier in November. Jos, Max and Frans had a difficult relationship. In […]
Vettel-Leclerc lineup a ‘luxury’ for Ferrari – boss
Nov.19 (GMM) Even after they crashed in Brazil, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto still says having both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc on the team is “a luxury”. However, as the duo is summoned to Maranello for crisis talks this week, the Italian press is not signing up to that explanation. “It’s not fair to blame […]
‘Unfair’ to question Honda speed – Binotto
Nov.18 (GMM) Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has refused to echo Sebastian Vettel’s words about the surprising performance of Honda’s 2019 engine in Brazil. After rivals earlier questioned the legality of Ferrari’s power unit, Vettel said cheekily in Brazil that it is actually Honda’s engine that is “suspicious”. And although Pierre Gasly’s second place finish in […]
Raikkonen yet to study new rules for 2021
Nov.18 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he isn’t sure he will still be in Formula 1 in 2021. At 40, the Finn – who has had a disappointing last part of the 2019 season with Alfa Romeo – admitted he never imagined that his F1 career would last so long. “Definitely not,” he told Brazil’s Globo. […]
Governor says Sao Paulo to sign new ten-year F1 deal
Nov.18 (GMM) Sao Paulo’s mayor is confident the city will keep the Brazilian grand prix. Throughout the weekend at Interlagos, fuelled by comments made earlier in 2019 by Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, rumours went up and down the paddock about Rio de Janeiro potentially taking over the race. But mayor Joao Doria said on Sunday: […]