Aug.31 (GMM) F1 teams will need to change their structures if Liberty Media pushes ahead with plans for up to 25 races in 2021. The calendar is already expanding to an unprecedented 22 races next year, but the teams only agreed to that after demanding certain regulations compromises. For instance, winter testing has been reduced […]
FIA looked into Hamilton’s shutdown comments
Aug.31 (GMM) F1’s governing body looked into whether Mercedes broke the rules during the recent mandatory August shutdown. During the summer break, teams are required by the rules to observe a strict factory shutdown, which according to the rules forbids “any work activity”. But Lewis Hamilton told the press at Spa that during the break, […]
F1 teams would welcome ‘strong’ new entrants
Aug.31 (GMM) Formula 1 may not get any new teams on the grid until 2022 at the earliest, sporting boss Ross Brawn said at Spa. Brawn said it might be better to see the impact of sport’s new era in 2021 before opening the paddock gates to any new competitors. The comments follow reports that […]
Wolff and Mercedes to keep managing Ocon
Aug.31 (GMM) Mercedes protege Esteban Ocon is now a full Renault driver, boss Cyril Abiteboul insists. Later on Saturday, the 22-year-old Frenchman will sit with his manager Toto Wolff and Renault’s Abiteboul at Spa to discuss the details of his new two-year deal. “He’s a Renault driver, that’s very clear,” Abiteboul said at Spa. “Mercedes […]
Renault offered Hulkenberg one-year deal – Prost
Aug.31 (GMM) Renault director Alain Prost says Nico Hulkenberg turned down an offer for 2020. German Hulkenberg looks set to switch to Haas, but reports indicate he is also hoping to be a candidate for the vacant seat at Red Bull. Renault has signed up Esteban Ocon to replace him for 2020, with Hulkenberg claiming […]
Only Ferrari without new engine at Spa
Aug.30 (GMM) Ferrari is the only engine manufacturer not to have taken a new specification of its 2019 power unit to Spa Francorchamps. Mercedes, Renault and Honda have all brought scheduled upgrades to the Belgian GP, and it was expected that Ferrari would do the same. But Sebastian Vettel said on Thursday: “Our plan is […]
Rivals surprised by Hulkenberg axe
Aug.30 (GMM) Two of his rivals have admitted they are surprised that Nico Hulkenberg has been ousted by Renault. The 32-year-old will be replaced for 2020 by Esteban Ocon, who is reportedly on a two-year loan from Mercedes. “Ocon and Renault clearly liked one another and it was clear that it would happen sooner or […]
Haas title sponsor controversy continues at Spa
Aug.30 (GMM) Haas’ controversial title sponsor remains on the team’s F1 car at Spa Francorchamps. Prior to the August break, Rich Energy’s boss was locked in a dispute with fellow shareholders and firing off barbs about Haas’ 2019 car, which at one point he described as a “milk float”. Team boss Gunther Steiner said the […]
Marko plays down latest Vettel-Red Bull rumour
Aug.30 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has played down the latest version of the rumour linking Sebastian Vettel with a return to Red Bull for 2020. At Spa, Alex Albon admitted to feeling nervous about taking over the demoted Pierre Gasly’s seat. “These decisions are never easy, but we had to react,” Marko, who founded and […]
Raikkonen, Norris to check leg injuries on Friday
Aug.30 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has admitted he may need to sit out the Belgian GP. When Marcus Ericsson pulled out of his latest Indycar race to be on standby for Alfa Romeo at Spa, rumours began to emerge that he may be about to replace Antonio Giovinazzi. Actually, the team’s reserve driver returned from the […]
Big news day marks end to August break
Aug.30 (GMM) After the August break, Formula 1 burst back into life at Spa with a spate of news. Valtteri Bottas, for one, has been definitively signed up by Mercedes for 2020. “Well, it wasn’t a big deal. The team had an option on me so one morning I got an email that the signature […]
Vettel penalty steward Pirro returns at Spa
Aug.29 (GMM) Former F1 driver Emanuele Pirro is making his return as an FIA steward this weekend at Spa. After Montreal in June, the former Benetton driver revealed he had to go to the police following “personal threats” made by fans of Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel. Vettel lost his victory in Canada after the stewards […]
Dutch GP ‘will affect’ Spa-Francorchamps – promoter
Aug.29 (GMM) Belgian GP promoter Vanessa Mas has admitted that Zandvoort’s F1 calendar arrival in 2020 signifies direct “competition” for the popular race located in the Ardennes. Not since 1985 has the neighbouring Netherlands had a grand prix. Mas, who has taken over in charge of the Spa race from her father Andre, admitted that […]
Hockenheim says German GP demise ‘no surprise’
Aug.29 (GMM) The demise of the German GP appears complete. The day after a leaked provisional calendar for 2020 started doing the rounds, Hockenheim circuit management said they were not surprised to be omitted. Liberty Media recently received the teams’ agreement to add an unprecedented 22nd race to next year’s calendar, which gave the green […]
Bottas, Ocon news to be confirmed on Thursday
Aug.29 (GMM) One day after his 30th birthday, Valtteri Bottas will on Thursday be confirmed as Lewis Hamilton’s continuing teammate at Mercedes for 2020. The German team’s announcement plans are being reported by multiple British newspapers and other specialist media sources including France’s RMC Sport. It is believed that, also on the sidelines of the […]
Russell ‘deserves’ front-running car – Kubica
Aug.29 (GMM) Robert Kubica says his rookie teammate George Russell “has the skills” to thrive at the front in Formula 1. Actually, the pair are at the back of the grid with Williams. But Russell has been consistently ahead of the sister car throughout 2019. Some believe that is because of Kubica’s permanently injured right […]
Melbourne rules out ‘sneaky’ F1 tobacco branding
Aug.29 (GMM) There will be no comeback for what Melbourne’s state Victorian government calls the “sneaky” way two F1 teams tried to advertise cigarettes at the Australian GP. That is the claim of Jenny Mikakos, who is the Victorian health minister. She is referring to how big tobacco-related sponsors of the Ferrari and McLaren teams […]
Renault got start of ‘power unit’ era wrong – Abiteboul
Aug.28 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has admitted that Renault messed up its start to the current ‘power unit’ era. The French marque is still recovering, but now with its works team, a big step was made over the last winter period. Daniel Ricciardo is at the wheel in 2019 and a key focus is on improving […]
Ferrari CEO boosting F1 investment for 2020, 2021
Aug.28 (GMM) Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri is “increasing investments” into the Maranello marque’s Formula 1 team for the future. That is the news of the authoritative Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, as Ferrari prepares to tackle the forthcoming two high-speed circuits at Spa and Monza. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff thinks the red cars will be […]
Barcelona confirmed as full 2020 calendar emerges
Aug.28 (GMM) The 2020 calendar is finally taking shape. Until mere hours ago, it was not even clear if there would be 21 or 22 races next year, as negotiations about a reduction in winter testing or an additional engine allocation for 2020 were taking place. But a 22-race calendar now seems certain, with Liberty […]