Dec.9 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin “must not” carry over to his F1 debut next year some of the “mistakes” he has been making in Formula 2. That is the view of Haas boss Gunther Steiner, ahead of the wealthy Russian’s move into Formula 1 with the small American team in 2021. Mazepin, 21, caused a stir […]
Month: December 2020
Wolff hints at 2021 race seat for Russell
Dec.8 (GMM) Toto Wolff is no longer ruling out a sensational driver lineup change for Mercedes in 2021. After the Sakhir GP, in which only what Wolff described as a “colossal f***k up” prevented Lewis Hamilton substitute George Russell from winning, huge pressure is now mounting on Valtteri Bottas. “Every time Bottas looks at his […]
Russell costs ’50 million less’ than Hamilton
Dec.8 (GMM) While George Russell’s Sakhir GP performance has put Valtteri Bottas under immense pressure, it is also an uncomfortable moment for Lewis Hamilton. That is because the entire F1 world is now digesting the fact that, while the seven time world champion was sidelined with covid-19, his substitute – Russell – was immediately ready […]
Verstappen hits back at Leclerc criticism
Dec.8 (GMM) Max Verstappen has hit back at Charles Leclerc in the wake of last Sunday’s Sakhir GP. The pair not only clashed on the track in Bahrain – Ferrari’s Leclerc had gone into the weekend criticising the often “silly comments” Verstappen makes in the media. “At the end, that’s just Max,” Leclerc told Ziggo […]
F1 drivers too ‘clinical’ with media – Kai Ebel
Dec.8 (GMM) Retiring Formula 1 personality Kai Ebel says the sport’s stars, and even the celebrities at the grands prix, have become “too clinical” when speaking to the media. For almost 30 years, the always colourfully-dressed German has been a Formula 1 reporter for the broadcaster RTL. Both Ebel and RTL are departing F1 after […]
Ferrari’s Resta to Haas because of budget cap – Binotto
Dec.8 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has admitted that designer Simone Resta’s move to Haas is connected with the budget cap rules that come into force next year. Resta returned to Maranello from an assignment at Alfa Romeo last year, but for 2021 he will follow Ferrari junior Mick Schumacher to Haas – another Ferrari-powered team. It […]
Russell form a ‘wake-up call’ for Red Bull
Dec.8 (GMM) The availability of on-form drivers like George Russell and Sergio Perez is “a wake-up call” for Red Bull. That is the view of former F1 driver Christijan Albers, as pressure grows on Red Bull to replace the struggling Alex Albon with a faster driver for 2021. Last Sunday, the out-of-work Perez won the […]
Ferrari always looking towards ‘next year’ – Briatore
Dec.8 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has rolled his eyes at the suggestion that Ferrari may get back on the pace of F1’s frontrunners next year. “‘Will Ferrari close the gap next year?’” the former Renault boss and Italian told the Adnkronos news agency. “Every year we have to talk about next year. The most recurring words […]
Two countries must green-light Hamilton’s return
Dec.8 (GMM) Whether Lewis Hamilton can return to his Mercedes cockpit for the 2020 finale this weekend is up to health officials in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. That is the word from the FIA’s Michael Masi, after George Russell replaced Hamilton in Bahrain last weekend following the seven time world champion’s positive covid-19 test. Hamilton, […]
Mick’s uncle Ralf slams Michael Schumacher ‘comparisons’
Dec.8 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher has slammed the “constant comparisons” that are made between his brother Michael and the career of the seven time world champion’s son Mick. After wrapping up the Formula 2 title in Bahrain last weekend, German broadcaster RTL asked 21-year-old Mick if he minds being constantly compared to his father. “I don’t […]
Former Red Bull driver urges Marko to sign Perez
Dec.7 (GMM) The team that is ousting Sakhir GP winner Sergio Perez says the Mexican “deserves a place in Formula 1”. 30-year-old Perez, who after Mercedes’ problems and the Max Verstappen-Charles Leclerc first lap crash surprisingly won Sunday’s race, admits he will have to take a sabbatical next year if he doesn’t secure Alex Albon’s […]
Grosjean skipping Abu Dhabi ‘to avoid skin graft’
Dec.7 (GMM) Romain Grosjean says skipping the final race in his Formula 1 career this weekend will safeguard his longer-term health. The Frenchman, who watched Sunday’s Sakhir GP from the sidelines, made the “most difficult but wisest” decision to return home to Switzerland rather than try to return to his Haas cockpit with burned hands […]
Replacing Bottas with Russell ‘not realistic’ – Wolff
Dec.7 (GMM) Toto Wolff has played down suggestions that Mercedes might be on the cusp of a sensational driver lineup change for 2021. Although a new contract with Lewis Hamilton is not signed yet, the team had intended to line up with the seven time world champion alongside Valtteri Bottas – who has signed a […]
Bottas’ ‘shares have collapsed’ after Sakhir GP
Dec.7 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas put himself under a spotlight in Sunday’s Sakhir GP – for the wrong reasons. Although Bottas managed to just beat Lewis Hamilton’s substitute Lewis Hamilton to pole on Sunday, George Russell clearly outclassed the Finn in the race. Team boss Toto Wolff isn’t sure why Bottas appeared so out of sorts. […]
Ferrari pushing for Abu Dhabi ‘young driver’ test for Sainz
Dec.7 (GMM) Ferrari is trying to green light a test in Ferrari’s 2020 car for Carlos Sainz. That is despite the fact that the Maranello team is unhappy that the FIA has given special approval for 39-year-old Fernando Alonso to also do the ‘young driver test’ in Abu Dhabi later this month. “It is not […]
Magnussen defends Grosjean stand-in Fittipaldi
Dec.6 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has defended his regular teammate Romain Grosjean’s replacement driver in Bahrain. Dane Magnussen was happy with his performance on Saturday – 16th – calling it his “best qualifying result in a long time” in his Haas car. “It was close,” he said, after just missing out on getting into Q2. “It […]
Now Vettel wants Racing Point test in Abu Dhabi
Dec.6 (GMM) Fernando Alonso on Saturday smiled when told that some of Renault’s rival teams are unhappy about his participation in the forthcoming ‘young driver test’ in Abu Dhabi. Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer said in Bahrain that he disagrees with the FIA after the governing body granted the 39-year-old Spaniard special dispensation to test […]
Perez ‘just said hello’ to Red Bull’s Marko in Bahrain
Dec.6 (GMM) Sergio Perez on Saturday played down the significance of being spotted in conversation with Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko in the Bahrain paddock. The Mexican told Spanish-language media last week that he will either be selected to replace Alex Albon for 2021, or he will take a sabbatical. So after the French broadcaster […]
Kvyat has ‘accepted’ 2021 fate
Dec.6 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he has “accepted” the likelihood that he will be left without a Formula 1 seat for 2021. One of the only doubts about Honda-backed Formula 2 driver Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion for next year was whether he would qualify for a super licence. But the Japanese then won Saturday’s race in […]
Russell boosts ‘market value’ in Hamilton’s car
Dec.6 (GMM) George Russell has upped his market value “enormously” with his performance at the wheel of the ill Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes in Bahrain. That is the view of former F1 driver Nick Heidfeld, after Russell missed pole by mere thousandths to under-pressure Mercedes regular Valtteri Bottas on Saturday. “In some ways being so close […]