Nov.15 (GMM) Likely 2021 F1 rookie Nikita Mazepin has denied rumours that he was arrested in Abu Dhabi for breaking a coronavirus quarantine. “I heard that there were rumours I was arrested in Abu Dhabi,” the 21-year-old Russian, who is set to be Mick Schumacher’s teammate at Haas next year, reportedly said. “I can assure […]
Month: November 2020
Kubica turned down world rally offer
Nov.15 (GMM) Robert Kubica has revealed that he turned down an offer to make a guest appearance in a forthcoming round of the world rally championship. The Pole, who turned to rallying full-time amid his recovery from a near-fatal crash some decade ago, told Eleven Sports he could not do the rally this year because […]
F1 ‘won’t work’ long term amid corona crisis – Marko
Nov.15 (GMM) The current state of Formula 1 amid the coronavirus pandemic “won’t work in the long term”, according to Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko. An unnamed team boss was recently quoted as saying that another full year of ‘ghost races’, quarantining and social distancing could bankrupt teams. “The fact that we were able […]
‘Flexibility’ in 2021 calendar – Carey
Nov.15 (GMM) Chase Carey admits there is some “flexibility” in the unprecedentedly-long 23-race calendar for 2021. Some have expressed surprise that, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, Formula 1 is planning its longest ever calendar – with every race scheduled to host spectators as well. “We are quite optimistic,” said Carey, the F1 CEO. […]
Wolff denies shaping up to switch F1 teams
Nov.15 (GMM) Toto Wolff has rejected renewed speculation that he may be on the verge of quitting Mercedes and joining the Aston Martin team. The Austrian bought shares in Lawrence Stroll’s new project earlier this year but Wolff denies that is a sign that he could switch camps in Formula 1. “I have no stake […]
Juri Vips denies eyeing Red Bull seat for 2021
Nov.14 (GMM) Juri Vips has denied rumours that he could be on the cusp of a Formula 1 race debut in 2021. Although seats are limited for next year, it is notable that Red Bull has pushed to secure a super licence for the 20-year-old from Estonia. “I know that getting the super licence means […]
Marko eyes 2022 ‘compromise’ with departing Honda
Nov.14 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko will fly to Japan next week to discuss Red Bull’s future with Honda. Officially, the Japanese manufacturer is pulling out of Formula 1 completely at the end of next year. Red Bull had floated the idea of taking over Honda’s engine IP and operations for 2022, but rivals Ferrari and […]
Two F1 drivers eye 2021 sabbaticals
Nov.14 (GMM) Two current Formula 1 drivers are floating the possibility of taking sabbaticals in 2021. Alongside Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez is in the running to replace the struggling Alex Albon at Red Bull – but the team is giving its current driver until the end of the season to claim the seat. “We can […]
Hamilton says Istanbul conditions ‘terrifying’
Nov.14 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has described track conditions in Istanbul this weekend as “terrifying”. Formula 1 has not used the Turkish venue since 2011, but Istanbul stepped up at the eleventh hour to help the sport through its corona crisis. The circuit was resurfaced just two weeks ago, and it provided an unprecedented lack of […]
Alonso to resume F1 testing on Sunday
Nov.14 (GMM) A fully motivated Fernando Alonso will continue his preparations to return to Formula 1 next year with two days of testing in Abu Dhabi. Renault had hoped the 39-year-old Spaniard would be able to drive the 2020 car at the same Yas Marina circuit at the forthcoming ‘young drivers test’. Rival teams did […]
F1 discussing wind tunnel ban from 2030
Nov.14 (GMM) Formula 1 is discussing the possibility of banning wind tunnels from 2030. The matter was reportedly discussed in the F1 Commission meeting held on the Monday after the recent race at Portimao. “I think everything is possible as technology gets better, so I think maybe it would be the right thing to do,” […]
Mazepin denies saying F1 team sale ‘illegal’
Nov.14 (GMM) A spokesperson for Dmitry Mazepin’s company Uralkali has denied the wealthy Russian even said the Force India team sale of 2018 was “illegal”. We reported this week that a court action brought by Mazepin, whose son Nikita is tipped to race for Haas next year, was set to begin this week in London’s […]
F1 keeping hybrid engines for the future
Nov.13 (GMM) Hybrid engines are here to stay in Formula 1, the sport has announced. For 2014, the sport switched from loud and popular normally-aspirated engines to the current, more expensive and complex hybrid ‘power unit’ era which has been utterly dominated by Mercedes. Recently, there have been rumours about the next generation of engine […]
Racing Point team sale case heading to court
Nov.13 (GMM) London’s High Court is set to hear a case over the disputed 2018 sale of Force India to Lawrence Stroll. Two years ago, when Force India was sold by Vijay Mallya, Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin claims he made an even higher bid for the team but the administrators “did not reply to phone […]
Sao Paulo extends F1 race deal until 2025
Nov.13 (GMM) Sao Paulo appears to have saved its grand prix at Interlagos. Recently, F1 CEO Chase Carey confirmed that an agreement in principle had been reached with new promoters in Rio de Janeiro – but approval for construction of the circuit is still missing over environmental concerns. On Thursday, Sao Paulo governor Joao Doria […]
Sainz eyes early Ferrari run at ‘young drivers test’
Nov.13 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has admitted he would like permission to get an early taste of Ferrari’s 2020 car at the end-of-season Abu Dhabi test next month. The paddock recently ridiculed Renault’s push for special dispensation so that 39-year-old two-time champion Fernando Alonso could also do the so-called ‘young drivers test’. But fellow Spaniard Sainz […]
‘Very few’ drivers could beat Hamilton – Sainz
Nov.13 (GMM) Most drivers on the grid would not be able to beat Lewis Hamilton in equal machinery. That is the view of Carlos Sainz, hot on the heels of Max Verstappen’s assertion that 90 percent of the drivers in Formula 1 would win in a Mercedes. “I agree with Max that 90 percent of […]
Haas getting closer to signing 2021 drivers
Nov.13 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says Haas is getting closer to announcing its driver lineup for 2021. It is an open secret in Formula 1 circles that the American team is set to sign rookies Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. They will replace Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean, who are eyeing potential moves to Indycar. “It […]
Vettel admits Ecclestone contract advice
Nov.13 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted that former F1 supremo and friend Bernie Ecclestone helped him to negotiate his 2021 switch to Aston Martin. “I really put pressure on team owner Lawrence Stroll to take Sebastian,” 90-year-old Ecclestone, who is no longer F1 CEO, told Sport1 last month. And in the last few days, F1 […]
Melbourne hopes for 50,000 F1 spectators
Nov.12 (GMM) Melbourne is targeting crowds of up to 50,000 per day as the Australian GP returns to Formula 1 next year following March’s cancellation due to covid-19. F1’s governing FIA confirmed this week that Albert Park will return to the top of the 2021 calendar next March. Race boss Andrew Westacott denied that it […]