Sep.14 (GMM) FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has thrown a major new twist into Fernando Alonso’s future saga by claiming the Spaniard has privately promised to continue in Formula 1. DAZN broadcast footage from Madrid showing Ben Sulayem speaking to a small group about the 45-year-old. “Today he promised me,” said Ben Sulayem. “He said, […]
Mekies admits ‘car degradation’ problem will linger
Sep.14 (GMM) Laurent Mekies has admitted Red Bull still does not fully understand the “car degradation” problem Max Verstappen has been complaining about, with the issue now likely to remain into 2027. Verstappen has joked that while rivals suffer tyre degradation, Red Bull suffers “car degradation”, with performance disappearing during sessions and races as the […]
Reliability now Antonelli’s main rival – Wolff
Sep.14 (GMM) Toto Wolff says reliability may now be the biggest threat to Kimi Antonelli’s march toward the 2026 world championship after the Italian inherited victory in Madrid and stretched his lead to 81 points. Antonelli did not hide that Lando Norris had been the faster driver and was effectively robbed by the timing of […]
Madrid GP slammed as ‘deadly sleep machine’
Sep.14 (GMM) Madrid’s spectacular new Madring circuit is now under intense pressure for changes after its inaugural Formula 1 race produced almost no overtaking. L’Equipe was particularly scathing. “It was sold to us as a ‘car killer,’ but the Madring is ultimately just a deadly sleep machine,” the French daily complained. Gabriel Bortoleto agreed with […]
Audi open to more investors but will keep F1 control
Sep.13 (GMM) Audi could sell further shares in its Formula 1 team as investor interest grows, but CEO Gernot Dollner insists the German manufacturer will retain control of the project. Speaking in Madrid, Dollner said Audi’s F1 program remains fully funded despite wider cost-cutting across the Volkswagen Group. “We have prepared very thoroughly for Formula […]
Verstappen says Alonso must decide F1 future himself
Sep.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen says Fernando Alonso should not be persuaded into extending his Formula 1 career, as the Spaniard continues to blame the current regulations for making him consider walking away. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has openly said he wants to convince the 45-year-old to stay, but Verstappen believes the decision belongs entirely […]
Sainz urges safety changes at Madring
Sep.13 (GMM) Even Madring ambassador Carlos Sainz says Madrid’s new Formula 1 circuit needs changes, particularly over visibility and safety, while several leading drivers are also criticising aspects of the layout. Sainz said street circuits commonly evolve after their debut and expects Madring to be no different. “Without a doubt, I think the circuit will […]
Verstappen ‘closer to quitting’ than joining McLaren
Sep.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he came closer to leaving Formula 1 altogether than switching to McLaren before ultimately extending his Red Bull contract. Speaking to Bild newspaper in Madrid, Verstappen insisted the obvious discussions with rival teams were genuine. “Every conversation with another team has to be taken seriously,” he said. “But ultimately, I […]
Madrid hosts ‘important’ Imola finale meeting
Sep.13 (GMM) Evidence is continuing to mount that Imola will replace the Middle East as Formula 1’s 2026 season finale, even though F1 and the FIA are still refusing to make the change official. On Ziggo Sport, Red Bull simulator driver Rudy van Buren claimed an important private meeting took place in Madrid involving the […]
Lambiase could join McLaren early
Sep.13 (GMM) Gianpiero Lambiase could now leave Red Bull for McLaren as early as 2027, with preparations already underway for Max Verstappen to work without his long-time race engineer. Lambiase’s move to McLaren was announced earlier this year for 2028, but speculation accelerated in Madrid after he was seen openly speaking with Zak Brown in […]
Russell says Antonelli now ‘deserves’ 2026 title
Sep.13 (GMM) George Russell says the unusual 2026 cars have reshuffled the balance between several Formula 1 teammates, as he continues to struggle against Mercedes’ much younger championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo in Madrid, Russell rejected the idea that his greater experience with the previous generation of cars automatically explains the gap. […]
Hamilton under fire for ‘unsportsmanlike’ driving
Sep.12 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has come under fire from several rivals after repeatedly driving slowly on the racing line during Friday practice at F1’s new Madring circuit. Yuki Tsunoda was visibly unimpressed at one point, giving the Ferrari driver a sarcastic thumbs-up from his cockpit after being held up. Carlos Sainz was even more direct, […]
Alonso future saga now worries FIA
Sep.12 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s uncertain Formula 1 future is becoming a wider concern for the sport, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem now openly trying to convince the Spaniard to stay while Aston Martin quietly prepares for every possibility. Speaking at the New Economy Forum in Madrid, Ben Sulayem revealed he had already met Lawrence […]
Ben Sulayem wants Chinese 12th F1 team
Sep.12 (GMM) FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has again opened the door to a 12th Formula 1 team, directly contradicting Stefano Domenicali’s recent suggestion that another entry is not needed in the medium term. Ben Sulayem says any new entry should be a major Chinese manufacturer, following Cadillac’s arrival as the 11th team. “The FIA […]
Hadjar return still uncertain for Baku
Sep.12 (GMM) Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury appears more serious than initially hoped, with the Red Bull driver still wearing a substantial brace in Madrid and Laurent Mekies refusing to guarantee he will return in Baku. Hadjar has now missed three races, with Liam Lawson again substituting this weekend. Mekies said Red Bull had no hesitation […]
Williams, Horner caught in awkward timing controversies
Sep.12 (GMM) Two timing controversies have emerged around the Madrid GP weekend, involving Williams’ retro livery and Christian Horner’s forthcoming autobiography. Williams unveiled a mainly white design inspired by the team’s 1981 constructors’ triumph, which involved racing at Jarama near Madrid. But he historical reference has drawn criticism because of the wider sponsorship background attached […]
Ben Sulayem says Spain can sustain two F1 races
Sep.12 (GMM) FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says Spain can comfortably support two Formula 1 races, despite Madrid now holding a long-term place on the calendar and Barcelona moving to an alternating arrangement. Madrid is contracted annually through 2035, while Barcelona-Catalunya will return in 2028, 2030 and 2032 under its new rotation agreement. But Ben […]
Alonso says 2027 decision ‘not soon’
Sep.11 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says a decision about his 2027 future is still some way off, while openly admitting that options outside the Formula 1 cockpit are part of the discussion. Asked in Madrid when news about next season should be expected, the 45-year-old replied simply: “Not soon.” Alonso continues to insist his hesitation is […]
Lawson, Tsunoda push back on Verstappen ‘numb’ claim
Sep.11 (GMM) Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have pushed back against Max Verstappen’s suggestion that the 2026 Formula 1 cars are so “numb” that drivers can adapt unusually quickly. Verstappen pointed to both drivers in a BBC interview this week. “No disrespect,” said the quadruple world champion, “but look at Yuki.” “He jumps in the […]
Imola finale reports grow despite official denials
Sep.11 (GMM) Reports that Imola has already been lined up to replace Abu Dhabi as Formula 1’s 2026 season finale are continuing to gather strength, despite both the FIA and F1 publicly insisting nothing has been decided. Dutch commentator Jack Plooij says he has now heard directly from people within Pirelli that Imola will host […]