Oct.16 (GMM) Former Honda Formula 1 engine chief Yasuaki Asaki believes the manufacturer’s recent restructuring may reflect a conclusion that its current development rate is simply too slow to catch its rivals. Honda has made two significant changes recently, with Yoichiro Fukao replacing Tetsushi Kakuda as power unit development leader from October 1, while Keiichi […]
Malaysia considers rotating F1 return
Oct.16 (GMM) Malaysia’s desired Formula 1 comeback may not become an annual fixture after all, despite the success of this month’s race at Sepang. Following the 2026 return, with Sepang hosting the rescheduled Bahrain GP, Malaysian government figures had openly discussed bringing Formula 1 back on a permanent basis. But Youth and Sports Minister Dr […]
Ferrari readies final major upgrade for Austin
Oct.16 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur’s reluctance to declare Red Bull definitively Formula 1’s new benchmark now looks significant, with Ferrari preparing a substantial final upgrade of the season for Austin. Italian reports say the SF-26 will receive a new floor, revised sidepods and bodywork at the US Grand Prix, with some weight reduction also expected. It […]
Antonelli-Minardi case pulls Mercedes deeper in
Oct.16 (GMM) The legal battle between Kimi Antonelli and his former manager Giovanni Minardi has widened, with Mercedes now formally drawn into the case. Corriere dello Sport reports that the Bologna court has ordered both Antonelli and Mercedes to hand over copies of the contracts they signed, together with detailed accounting records covering payments made […]
Tsolov ready for F1 but 2027 seat still uncertain
Oct.16 (GMM) Formula 2 boss Bruno Michel says Nikola Tsolov is ready for Formula 1, but admits he does not know whether the Bulgarian will actually make the step next season. Tsolov remains in contention for a Racing Bulls seat, with Liam Lawson also still waiting to learn whether he will be retained. “Yes, I […]
F2 boss insists Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead
Oct.16 (GMM) Formula 1 is still officially planning to end the 2026 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but signs that contingency planning is becoming more serious are multiplying. Sources from Formula 1 told Diario Sport: “There are no changes, both races are confirmed on the calendar, as is the Imola circuit as a possible […]
Buenos Aires track surface boosts F1 return hopes
Oct.16 (GMM) Buenos Aires’ push to return to the Formula 1 calendar has taken another step forward, with the first tests of the new asphalt now completed at the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez. Soy Motor reports that an initial 120-metre section has been resurfaced as part of the wider renovation program, with the immediate […]
Komatsu says Ferrari link did not decide Camara deal
Oct.16 (GMM) Ayao Komatsu has played down the importance of Rafael Camara’s Ferrari connection after Haas formally confirmed the Brazilian for its 2027 Formula 1 lineup. Camara, a Ferrari Driver Academy member since 2021, will join fellow Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman on a multi-year deal. But Komatsu insisted the decision was based on performance. “Camara […]
Russell set for another grid penalty in Vegas
Oct.15 (GMM) George Russell is expected to take another grid penalty later this season, with Mercedes now targeting Las Vegas for an upgraded power unit component. Russell told Sky Deutschland that the new part had originally been considered for Austin, but plans changed after his Malaysia engine failure and subsequent Singapore replacement. “It will probably […]
Schumacher sees Hamilton-Ferrari ‘power struggle’
Oct.15 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher believes Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with Ferrari is becoming increasingly tense, describing signs of an internal power struggle around the seven time world champion. “I think things aren’t going quite smoothly between him and the team,” Schumacher said on Sky Deutschland. “There’s a bit of an internal power struggle going on. There’s […]
Spa fears Rwanda could squeeze out Belgian GP
Oct.15 (GMM) Rwanda’s arrival on the Formula 1 calendar has renewed fears that Spa-Francorchamps could eventually lose its place. Belgian broadcaster VRT notes that Spa is already set to rotate with Barcelona from 2028, while Rwanda has now secured a 10-year deal from the early 2030s. Play Sports commentator Gert Vermersch said the pressure on […]
Rosberg still rates Verstappen above Antonelli
Oct.15 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says Max Verstappen remains Formula 1’s best driver despite Kimi Antonelli standing on the brink of the world championship. “Max Verstappen is still the best driver in the sport,” the 2016 champion told RTL. Rosberg, the 2016 world champion, called the Red Bull driver “a phenomenon” after back-to-back wins, but said […]
Imola still ready as Middle East uncertainty returns
Oct.15 (GMM) Imola remains Formula 1’s emergency fallback despite Stefano Domenicali recently saying Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead, as the security situation in the Middle East worsens again. Domenicali told the Financial Times that the decision had been made to retain both races, but added: “Imola is the venue that, in the event […]
Rossi relishes chance to race Verstappen
Oct.15 (GMM) Valentino Rossi says he never expected to line up against Max Verstappen, but is relishing the chance when the Formula 1 star uses his only free weekend for the GT World Challenge finale at Portimao. Rossi, who races for Team WRT in a BMW alongside Max Hesse, told Sky Italia that Verstappen’s presence […]
Ralf questions whether Norris can match Verstappen
Oct.15 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher has continued his criticism of Lando Norris, saying the McLaren driver must prove on track that he really belongs at Max Verstappen’s level. The McLaren driver has become noticeably more assertive since winning the world championship, including comments suggesting he should be paid like Formula 1’s biggest stars and that he […]
Horner reveals moves for Alonso, Leclerc, Sainz
Oct.15 (GMM) Christian Horner has revealed that, before his departure, Red Bull considered Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz as possible teammates for Max Verstappen. In his forthcoming book Drive, Horner says Alonso directly expressed interest during the 2024 Japanese GP. “Fernando even told me that he really wanted to drive alongside Max the […]
Las Vegas F1 flooding cleared weeks before race
Oct.15 (GMM) Flooding that briefly affected part of the Las Vegas GP circuit has largely been cleared, with local preparations continuing normally more than a month before Formula 1 arrives. FOX5 Las Vegas reported that heavy rain from post-tropical cyclone Rachel forced temporary closures on roads including Koval Lane and Winnick Avenue, with mud, debris […]
Tsunoda set for IndyCar test
Oct.15 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda is expected to test an IndyCar with Meyer Shank Racing later this month as he explores a possible future in the series. Racer magazine’s Marshall Pruett reports that the current Red Bull F1 reserve is in line to take part in the October 26 evaluation test at Barber Motorsports Park. It […]
Colapinto tells fans they are hurting his ‘future’
Oct.15 (GMM) Franco Colapinto has made a direct appeal to his own supporters, warning that attacks on other drivers and Alpine personnel are now harming his Formula 1 career. “Sometimes we cross the line,” the Argentine said in a lengthy Instagram message in Spanish. “Instead of supporting me, we end up criticising, we end up […]
FIA bans Red Bull sidepod loophole for 2027
Oct.15 (GMM) The FIA has moved to close an aerodynamic loophole used by Red Bull and later copied by Audi, just as Max Verstappen and Red Bull have returned to winning form. Auto Motor und Sport reports that Red Bull first exploited an exemption around the floor stays, which are thin structural supports used to […]