Oct.11 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin is poised to sign a deal to race with Haas in 2021, according to the French broadcaster Canal Plus. Team boss Gunther Steiner has already confirmed that he met at Sochi recently with Mazepin’s father, the wealthy Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin. There are rumours Mazepin snr is looking to buy the […]
Month: October 2020
Mercedes turning focus to 2021 car
Oct.11 (GMM) Car updates are bringing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen closer to the ultimate pace, Lewis Hamilton said after qualifying at the Nurburgring. With Valtteri Bottas on pole, the gap between Mercedes’ Hamilton and Verstappen on Saturday was a tantalising four hundredths of a second. “He’s gotten updates, bringing him a little closer,” Hamilton told […]
Spa to replace asphalt run-off with gravel traps
Oct.10 (GMM) An EUR 80 million upgrade at Spa-Francorchamps will include the return of more gravel traps. The Dutch source RTL Nieuws claims the renovations will also feature improved track safety and two new covered grandstands. The report said the changes have been required by FIM, motor cycling’s international body, ahead of the arrival to […]
Schumacher, Ilott must wait until Abu Dhabi
Oct.10 (GMM) Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott will not immediately get another chance to drive in Friday practice sessions this year, according to Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto. Formula 2 points leader Schumacher and runner-up Ilott – both Ferrari academy members – were due to drive the Alfa Romeo and Haas cars respectively at the Nurburgring. […]
Carey ‘doesn’t care’ about Nurburgring weather
Oct.10 (GMM) Chase Carey “probably doesn’t care” about this weekend’s action at the Nurburgring. That is the claim of former F1 driver Christian Danner, who told RTL that Formula 1’s CEO and owners Liberty Media are guilty of “ignorance and misjudgement” by organising a race at the Nurburgring in October. “We have known for centuries […]
No Hamilton talks until after Imola – Wolff
Oct.10 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s long-delayed contract negotiations with Mercedes are also unlikely to take place in the month of October. That is the admission of team boss Toto Wolff, amid rumours of uncertainty about Mercedes’ and Wolff’s respective futures, and speculation that Hamilton is holding out for a pay-rise for 2021 and beyond. “We want […]
Red Bull ‘too slow’ to win – Verstappen
Oct.10 (GMM) Red Bull is “too slow” in 2020 to think about more race wins or the world championship. That is the frank admission of Max Verstappen, amid speculation Honda’s shock withdrawal from the team and the sport after 2021 could trigger the Dutch driver’s departure. When asked by Ziggo Sport if a race win […]
2021 Mick Schumacher decision due ‘soon’
Oct.10 (GMM) News about Mick Schumacher’s expected Formula 1 debut for 2021 is due “soon”. At the Nurburgring, that was the unified message of Ferrari and Alfa Romeo bosses Mattia Binotto and Frederic Vasseur respectively. Most observers expect Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo to announce that Schumacher, 21, will replace his fellow Ferrari academy driver Antonio Giovinazzi […]
Sainz not worried about Schumacher threat
Oct.10 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has dismissed speculation that his career at Ferrari may be short-lived. The current McLaren driver has been signed by Ferrari for 2021, but all the buzz at the Nurburgring is about Mick Schumacher, who is expected to debut for Alfa Romeo next year. “We hope to bring a young man from […]
2021 debut for Honda’s Tsunoda still on track
Oct.10 (GMM) Yuki Tsunoda may still be on track for a Honda-fuelled debut in Formula 1 next year. Prior to the Japanese manufacturer’s shock decision to quit the sport, Japanese F2 star Tsunoda was considered a frontrunner to replace Daniil Kvyat in 2021 at Alpha Tauri. “Personally, I don’t think our leaving has any impact […]
Mercedes rules out engine supply for Red Bull
Oct.10 (GMM) Mercedes is not willing to supply engines to Red Bull after Honda leaves Formula 1 at the end of next year. On the face of it, there are four options for the energy drink-owned outfit: customer Mercedes, Ferrari or Renault deals, or going it alone by buying the Honda engine IP. “It’s something […]
Mercedes protecting drivers amid covid outbreak
Oct.10 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are being very cautious amid an outbreak of covid-19 within the Mercedes team. At least two members of the dominant team have tested positive at the Nurburgring, with a handful of others now removed from action and in quarantine. “We flew six people in from the UK” to […]
Steiner admits meeting with Russian billionaire
Oct.9 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has admitted to meeting with Russian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin. The Haas boss’ meeting at the Russian GP at Sochi recently triggered rumours not only that Mazepin’s son Nikita is in the running for a 2021 race seat, but that the small American team could even be sold. “I have known Mr […]
Hamilton opposed to F1’s new Rio de Janeiro race
Oct.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has come out in opposition to the new Brazilian GP project in Rio de Janeiro. It emerged this week that F1 chief executive Chase Carey had written to the city’s governor “to update you that we have now finalised the agreements for a race” on a new circuit in Rio’s Deodoro […]
Vettel admits buying Aston Martin shares
Oct.9 (GMM) Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has confirmed that he has bought into Aston Martin. The German is joining the Racing Point team next year, which will re-brand itself as Aston Martin in the wake of owner Lawrence Stroll’s takeover of the British carmaker. A few days ago, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff – who […]
Verstappen denies giving up on Red Bull
Oct.9 (GMM) Max Verstappen has dismissed as “rubbish” suggestions that he is falling out with Red Bull. Just a week after Honda shocked the F1 world with its decision to quit the sport after 2021, some people noticed that Verstappen no longer follows the official Honda or Red Bull accounts on Instagram. The Dutchman responded […]
No ‘miracles’ with new Ferrari parts – Leclerc
Oct.9 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he is not expecting “miracles” from another Ferrari upgrade this weekend at the Nurburgring. Amid its deep 2021 slump, the Maranello team seemed to take a step forward at Sochi thanks to a minor car upgrade. “We have more new pieces here after analysing our problems,” Leclerc confirmed at the […]
Schumacher says F1 future ‘still very open’
Oct.9 (GMM) At the Nurburgring for his Friday practice debut, Mick Schumacher would not answer whether his 2021 Alfa Romeo race deal is now signed and sealed. There is strong speculation that the Swiss based team is poised to announce that F2 series leader Schumacher, 21, will be Kimi Raikkonen’s teammate next year. “The future […]
Raikkonen denies signing 2021 Alfa Romeo deal
Oct.9 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has hit back at reports that he has now signed up to remain with Alfa Romeo in 2021. Media sources claim that the Finn’s new deal, and that of his expected 2021 teammate Mick Schumacher, will be announced by the Swiss-based team on Friday. “Nothing has been decided yet,” 40-year-old Raikkonen […]
Hamilton admits ‘concern’ about team covid case
Oct.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has admitted to “concern” after a member of the Mercedes team tested positive for covid-19. Ahead of the Nurburgring race weekend, the dominant Formula 1 team confirmed: “This has been handled and is being handled in line with FIA protocols, working closely with the FIA.” Media sources report that the affected […]