Oct.24 (GMM) Esteban Ocon’s Formula 1 future may not be over, with new Cadillac boss Marcin Budkowski refusing to rule out talks with the outgoing Haas driver – or even confirm that Valtteri Bottas is contracted for 2027. The comments come as Ralf Schumacher has openly urged Cadillac to replace Bottas with Ocon. When asked […]
Superstitious Antonelli refuses to tempt fate
Oct.24 (GMM) Kimi Antonelli is trying hard not to talk about his first Formula 1 title match point in Austin – and admits superstition is part of the reason. Asked by Corriere della Sera whether he had fully realised he could become world champion on Sunday, Antonelli immediately pushed back. “Again?” he smiled, exasperated at […]
Leclerc will not miss race for baby’s birth
Oct.24 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he does not expect the imminent birth of his first child to force him to miss a Formula 1 race. The Ferrari driver and wife Alexandra are expecting their first child in the coming weeks, although no exact due date has been made public. “No, I don’t think I’ll miss […]
Newey backs Honda despite Aston Martin doubts
Oct.24 (GMM) Adrian Newey has backed Honda to recover from its difficult 2026 season amid continuing speculation that Aston Martin could reconsider its long-term engine partnership. Honda’s new role as Aston Martin’s works supplier has been troubled, with reliability, vibration and performance problems prompting repeated scrutiny and even rumours that Lawrence Stroll has explored alternatives. […]
Verstappen says online abuse ‘doesn’t bother me’
Oct.24 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he personally ignores social media abuse, but felt compelled to intervene when it was directed at his young GT3 teammate Chris Lulham. Lulham, the sim racer turned real-world competitor in Verstappen’s GT program, was heavily criticised online after making contact with a rival at Portimao and receiving a drive-through penalty. […]
Vettel admits Ricciardo helped trigger Red Bull exit
Oct.24 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted for the first time that Daniel Ricciardo’s arrival at Red Bull played a major role in his decision to leave for Ferrari. Speaking in the new ARD documentary ‘Being Sebastian Vettel’, the retired four-time world champion described how dramatically his position changed in 2014 after four consecutive titles. “My […]
Bearman says Ferrari role is delaying Haas deal
Oct.24 (GMM) Oliver Bearman says his expected new Haas contract is being held up by details involving Ferrari rather than any doubt about whether he will remain with the team. Haas has already confirmed Rafael Camara – another Ferrari junior – for 2027, while team boss Ayao Komatsu has made clear that Bearman is also […]
Russell says Horner talks were ‘mind games’
Oct.24 (GMM) George Russell has played down Christian Horner’s claim that Red Bull seriously explored signing him, saying the contact was mainly part of the former team boss’ political games with Toto Wolff. Horner wrote in his new book Drive that he contacted Russell’s management while Wolff was openly courting Max Verstappen. Russell says it […]
Williams clarifies Sainz comments on Gulf races
Oct.24 (GMM) Williams has issued a clarification on behalf of Carlos Sainz after the GPDA director sounded notably cautious about Formula 1’s confidence that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races will go ahead. Sainz had said on Thursday that it was “relatively premature” to be so convinced while the political and security situation in the […]
Hamilton unrepentant over Singapore strategy gamble
Oct.24 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he will not stop challenging Ferrari’s strategy calls despite admitting his decision to stay out in Singapore was a mistake. Hamilton stayed on track rather than following Ferrari’s preferred pit sequence during the race. Asked in Austin whether the outcome would make him less willing to take the initiative from […]
Ecclestone puts Verstappen top of revised all-time list
Oct.24 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has reportedly revised his personal ranking of Formula 1’s greatest ever drivers, placing Max Verstappen above Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. German journalist Ralf Bach said on f1-insider.com that he spoke with the former F1 supremo last week and that Ecclestone now wants to expand his previous top five […]
Leclerc fast as Wolff admits Merc upgrade mistake
Oct.24 (GMM) Charles Leclerc topped both Friday practice sessions in Austin as Kimi Antonelli began his first Formula 1 title match-point weekend with Mercedes still wrestling with its latest upgrade package. Ferrari has brought its final significant aerodynamic update of the season to Texas, and Leclerc immediately set the pace in both sessions. But the […]
Marko backs Tsolov over Lawson for 2027 seat
Oct.23 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko believes Racing Bulls should replace Liam Lawson with Nikola Tsolov for 2027. “I agree with Mateschitz’s phrase,” said Red Bull’s former junior driver program chief. “We don’t buy stars, we create them’.” “We’ve always strived to rely on our drivers to win Grand Prix races,” he told Krone newspaper. “With […]
Alonso plays down Dakar test speculation
Oct.23 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is still refusing to confirm a return to the Dakar Rally despite being spotted testing a rally-raid car in Morocco. “Every week I’m driving a different car,” he told reporters after being photographed last week driving a Prodrive-built prototype near Merzouga, with former Dakar winner Marc Coma also involved in the […]
Hockenheim not open to one-off F1 return only
Oct.23 (GMM) Hockenheim says it would consider stepping in if Formula 1 needs another replacement race because of the Middle East conflict – but only if it helps secure a proper return to the calendar. Sepang already replaced Bahrain earlier this month, while uncertainty remains around the scheduled Qatar and Abu Dhabi races – with […]
Renault agrees sale of Viry F1 engine division
Oct.23 (GMM) Renault has agreed to sell its historic Viry-Chatillon Formula 1 engine operation to Belgian engineering group Dumarey. The deal covers Alpine Racing SAS, its employees and the assets required to operate the site, with completion still subject to employee consultation and regulatory approval. Renault ended its works F1 engine program after 2025, with […]
Cadillac should sign Ocon for 2027 – Ralf
Oct.23 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher has gone further in his criticism of Valtteri Bottas, urging Cadillac to replace the Finn with the now-available Esteban Ocon. “I would definitely sign Ocon immediately,” Schumacher told Sky Deutschland. The former F1 driver stressed the criticism was sporting rather than personal. “I think the Bottas story is over now,” he […]
Wolff admits Mercedes succession plan taking shape
Oct.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted he is already planning how Mercedes will eventually operate without him at the helm. Speaking on the Cheeky Pint podcast, the Mercedes team boss and major shareholder said the goal is to build a structure that can survive his eventual step back. “For me, it’s important to do what’s […]
Verstappen says F1 bumps have damaged his spine
Oct.23 (GMM) Max Verstappen says medical checks have shown damage to the lower part of his spine as he renewed his criticism of the extreme bumps at the Circuit of The Americas. The Red Bull driver had joked in Singapore that he might require “a new spine” after Austin, but said on arrival in Texas […]
Schumacher fears Vasseur could quit over health
Oct.23 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher has raised the possibility that Frederic Vasseur could walk away from Ferrari for health reasons if the pressure continues. Speaking on Sky Deutschland, Schumacher said he had become concerned by Vasseur’s appearance and recent absence from an event. “I’m a little worried,” said the former F1 driver. “Fred Vasseur has lost […]