Oct.2 (GMM) Formula 1’s long-running uncertainty over Qatar and Abu Dhabi may finally be ending, with Sky Deutschland reporting that both races will go ahead as scheduled. According to the German broadcaster, Qatar will remain on November 27-29 and Abu Dhabi will host the season finale on December 4-6, meaning the Imola contingency would not […]
Bearman thought Monaco sprint was a ‘prank’
Oct.2 (GMM) Oliver Bearman says he initially thought Formula 1’s decision to add a sprint race at Monaco in 2027 was a joke – and Max Verstappen is hardly convinced either. “When they told us that we would get a sprint race in that weekend,” Bearman told Viaplay, “I really thought it was a joke.” […]
Ocon insists Haas axe was ‘not performance’
Oct.2 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he knows why Haas decided not to retain him for 2027 and insists the reason was not his performance, as several fellow drivers publicly backed the Frenchman at Sepang. “I’m not going to comment on that any further because I want to look forward and not back,” he said when […]
Antonelli considering Monaco move
Oct.2 (GMM) Kimi Antonelli could soon join Formula 1’s growing Monaco contingent, with Prince Albert revealing that the Mercedes championship leader is considering moving to the Principality. Antonelli, who was born in Bologna and currently lives in San Marino, moved away from the family home as his Formula 1 career accelerated. Prince Albert revealed the […]
Mercedes claims three-tenth gain from Sepang upgrade
Oct.2 (GMM) Max Verstappen topped opening practice at Sepang, but Mercedes believes its substantial new upgrade could yet transform the competitive picture this weekend. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli said he had been told the long-awaited package is worth around three tenths. “I’ve been told that it’s three tenths, which is an important jump, but we […]
Audi unveils plans for new Hinwil F1 campus
Oct.2 (GMM) Audi has unveiled plans for a major new Formula 1 campus in Hinwil as it continues building towards its long-term target of challenging for championships by 2030. The new facility, less than one kilometre from Audi’s existing Swiss base, is already partly operational and is scheduled for full completion in 2030. The current […]
Hamilton backs Vasseur but points finger ‘higher up’
Oct.2 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has strongly defended Frederic Vasseur amid the current Ferrari turmoil, but in doing so pointedly suggested that some of the team’s deeper problems sit above the team principal. “Fred is a fantastic leader,” he said at Sepang, after Ferrari denied rumours that Vasseur’s position was once again in doubt. “He really […]
Verstappen confirms October GT3 return
Oct.1 (GMM) Max Verstappen has confirmed he will squeeze another GT3 race into an already packed Formula 1 schedule later this month. Speaking to Dutch media at Sepang on Thursday, Verstappen said he will race for his own outfit in the GT World Challenge Europe event at Portimao on October 17. “I’m looking forward to […]
Colapinto denies Briatore considered race ban
Oct.1 (GMM) Franco Colapinto has denied suggestions Alpine seriously considered benching him after his controversial Baku crash, saying the team’s plans never changed despite Flavio Briatore’s anger. Briatore’s post-race statement that Alpine would “evaluate what measures to take” fuelled speculation that Colapinto could be stood down for a race. “That’s not true,” Colapinto told media […]
Bottas says drivers not keen on Imola finale
Oct.1 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says Formula 1 drivers are not particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of a December season finale at Imola, with both weather and Italian tax concerns weighing on the alternative. Imola is the clear contingency if the planned Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds cannot go ahead because of the Middle East situation. […]
Honda keeps developing 2026 engine after Spec 2
Oct.1 (GMM) Honda says development of its troubled 2026 power unit is continuing beyond the recently introduced Spec 2 package, with further gains now being sought through drivability and energy management. The Japanese manufacturer introduced a major engine upgrade at Zandvoort, followed only a few races later by another step centred on the turbocharger. Speaking […]
Schumacher expects Antonelli rebound in Malaysia
Oct.1 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher does not expect Kimi Antonelli’s difficult Baku weekend to develop into a slump, and believes Mercedes’ new Sepang upgrade could quickly put the championship leader back on top. “I don’t think Kimi will get tense,” Schumacher said on Sky Deutschland ahead of the ‘Bahrain GP’ in Malaysia. “I also think the […]
Formula E boss says electric series can catch F1
Oct.1 (GMM) Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds believes the electric championship can eventually challenge Formula 1 on outright performance as battery technology continues to improve. Speaking to f1-insider.com, Dodds said the coming Gen4 cars are only the next step. “I’m really looking forward to Gen4, but I’m already thinking about Gen5 and the development path […]
Alonso lands career-best Aston deal – report
Oct.1 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s decision to stay with Aston Martin for 2027 has reportedly come with the biggest contract of his career – potentially explaining both the lengthy negotiations and why the commitment is for only one season. Mundo Deportivo says it has learned exclusively that Alonso’s new salary exceeds what he earned during his […]
Mateschitz invests another 25m in Red Bull Ring
Oct.1 (GMM) Mark Mateschitz is investing another EUR 25 million in the Red Bull Ring as Spielberg prepares for the long-term future of the Austrian GP. Kleine Zeitung reports that construction began immediately after the MotoGP weekend on a major expansion of the pit building. A covered and fully glazed rooftop terrace around 250 metres […]
Sepang ready as ‘Bahrain GP’ draws huge crowd
Oct.1 (GMM) Sepang is ready for Formula 1’s return this weekend, with organisers expecting around 100,000 three-day ticket sales for the relocated Bahrain GP. Sepang International Circuit CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif told Bernama that around 95,000 tickets had already been sold, with only about 3,000 remaining. “This is a figure we have never seen before […]
McLaren could consider own F1 engine in future
Oct.1 (GMM) McLaren could eventually follow Red Bull’s example and build its own Formula 1 power unit, but Zak Brown says such a move is unlikely even for the next major engine cycle. Speaking to De Telegraaf, the McLaren CEO said the team’s immediate priority is instead to deepen its relationship with Mercedes. “We haven’t […]
Ocon and Haas confirm 2026 split
Oct.1 (GMM) Esteban Ocon and Haas have now formally confirmed that they will part ways at the end of the 2026 season. The French driver announced the decision on social media. “My time with Haas F1 Team will come to an end at the end of the 2026 season,” he wrote. “I leave this project […]
Danner rules out Piastri-style Antonelli collapse
Sep.30 (GMM) Christian Danner does not believe Kimi Antonelli is heading for the kind of late-season collapse that derailed Oscar Piastri’s 2025 title campaign, despite the Mercedes driver’s difficult weekend in Baku. Speaking to motorsport-magazin.com, Danner said Antonelli’s reaction to the setback was actually encouraging. “I don’t think Antonelli is in danger of a Piastri-style […]
F1 esports future in doubt as teams pull out
Sep.30 (GMM) Formula 1’s official esports championship appears to be in serious trouble, with multiple teams reportedly withdrawing from the next F1 Sim Racing season and uncertainty growing over whether the series will continue in its current form. Esports specialist site Traxion reports it has verified that several Formula 1 teams have already withdrawn from […]