Aug.31 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger says the sport should think about whether it wants to ban racing in the rain altogether. The big discussion in Formula 1 today is whether two laps behind the safety car should no longer be considered an official ‘race’. “When you see the podium photos with their trophies in […]
Month: August 2021
‘Too early’ to promise ticket refunds – Spa boss
Aug.31 (GMM) It is “too early to say” whether sodden spectators will receive compensation for the wet and farcical Belgian GP. In the wake of the highly controversial long delays culminating in two laps behind the safety car that formalised the half-points race result, many are calling on Formula 1 or Spa-Francorchamps to refund disappointed […]
F1 has ‘seen the last’ of ‘old Spa’ – Lammers
Aug.31 (GMM) Sunday may have marked an ignominious final appearance in Formula 1 for the traditional and fabled existing layout of the Spa-Francorchamps track. Even Jean Alesi, an ex-driver famed for his courage and passion for the sport, says recent events demonstrate that “it’s right to stop” racing on the current layout. “The track at […]
CEO hints Mercedes driver announcement now looming
Aug.31 (GMM) Mercedes is finally shaping up to complete its driver lineup for 2022. Sources are reporting that, as per widespread speculation, the reigning world champions will shortly confirm that Valtteri Bottas will make way for George Russell next year. It is believed that process will initially involve Mercedes announcing the Finn’s departure at the […]
Liberty should pay Spa fans for two-lap race – Ecclestone
Aug.31 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has blasted Formula 1’s handling of the farcical two-lap Belgian GP. The former F1 supremo, who has been a regular critic of Liberty Media since he was ousted as the sport’s CEO, called Sunday at Spa a “disaster”. “You have no influence on the weather, but you do have influence over […]
F1 to re-consider rules after Spa ‘race’ farce
Aug.31 (GMM) Formula 1 is considering tweaking the rules so that events like Sunday’s farcical Belgian GP cannot be officially designated a “race”. Following criticisms from the drivers including Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, Alfa Romeo on Monday took the step of issuing a media statement to condemn the way the situation was handled. The […]
F1 must ‘move on’ from Belgian GP debacle – Wolff
Aug.30 (GMM) Formula 1’s two championship-warring teams were publicly philosophical after the farcical Belgian GP. Up and down the grid, drivers expressed frustration that the never-ending rain delay at soaking Spa-Francorchamps ultimately ended with two slow laps behind the safety car. It meant Formula 1 and the FIA could declare an official race classification with […]
F1 to discuss Spa spectator refunds
Aug.30 (GMM) Formula 1 has rejected Lewis Hamilton’s claim that points were only distributed after the farcical Belgian GP because of considerations about money. “Money talks,” said the seven time world champion when asked about the controversial two laps behind the safety car in teeming rain that led to the official result and ordinary post-race […]
Points after farcical Belgian GP ‘wrong’ – Sainz
Aug.30 (GMM) Formula 1 is scrambling to learn from Sunday’s farcical Belgian GP at fabled Spa-Francorchamps. Amid the ongoing covid crisis, thousands of fans stood all day in teeming rain for a race that ultimately took place over two official laps behind the safety car. Seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton was furious. “It was […]
F1 debate rages about Eau Rouge safety
Aug.29 (GMM) A debate is now raging about whether Spa-Francorchamps’ fabled Eau Rouge corner is still safe enough for Formula 1. In 2019, the fatal Formula 2 accident involving Anthoine Hubert on the exit of the high-speed section also seriously injured Juan Manuel Correa. More recently, a huge crash during the 24 hour sports car […]
F1 braces for busy end to ‘strange’ 2021 calendar
Aug.29 (GMM) While the total race count is dropping from 23 to 22, the world of Formula 1 is now bracing for a hectic schedule to complete the 2021 world championship campaign. At Spa Francorchamps, the sport revealed the tweaked 10-race schedule for the second half of the season that will follow after Sunday’s Belgian […]
Pourchaire could secure 2022 Alfa Romeo seat
Aug.29 (GMM) An 18-year-old driver has found himself in the running for an Alfa Romeo race seat in 2022. For some months now, team boss Frederic Vasseur has been openly talking about the potential of fellow Frenchman Theo Pourchaire, a highly rated youngster who in his first season in Formula 2 this year won at […]
Wolff to make 2022 driver announcement ‘soon’
Aug.29 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he has now made a decision about which driver will be Lewis Hamilton’s teammate next year. The Mercedes boss’s admission comes as George Russell, the obvious favourite for the seat currently occupied by Valtteri Bottas, qualified a sensational second at slippery Spa-Francorchamps. Some were calling it one of the best […]
Lundgaard eyes Indycar but not giving up on F1
Aug.28 (GMM) Alpine junior Christian Lundgaard may be switching his focus from Formula 1 to Indycar. The highly-rated 20-year-old Dane was considered a hot contender for this year’s Formula 2 title, but his campaign with ART has been difficult so far. Early this year, he admitted: “For me, 2021 is definitely a crucial season in […]
Mazepin up and racing in new Haas chassis
Aug.28 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin is up and racing in a new Haas chassis this weekend at Spa. Before the August break, the controversial Russian rookie revealed that his chassis is heavier than more competitive teammate Mick Schumacher’s. “I wouldn’t say it’s unacceptable, it just complicates my job,” he said. Team boss Gunther Steiner said the […]
Alonso could stay in F1 for ‘many years’
Aug.28 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he could keep racing in Formula for “many years”. At Spa, Alpine announced that the 40-year-old Spaniard will indeed extend his return to the sport for at least another year for the start of the 2022 regulations. Two-time champion Alonso rejects the notion that he should call time on his […]
Ferrari opens door to 2023 race seat for Schumacher
Aug.28 (GMM) Mick Schumacher’s future on the Formula 1 grid could be red, Mattia Binotto admits. However, the Ferrari team boss says another year of learning for the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher is waiting around the corner for 2022. “Before we decide when he’s ready for Ferrari, he has to finish this year […]
2022 will be ‘different’ for Perez – Horner
Aug.28 (GMM) Sergio Perez will be in a “completely different” situation when he re-emerges in Red Bull’s all-new 2022 car next year. That is the view of Christian Horner, after announcing that the Mexican driver has been re-signed for a second year as Max Verstappen’s teammate. There had been speculation Perez could lose his seat […]
Full 23-race calendar now unlikely in 2021
Aug.28 (GMM) Speculation that this year’s Formula 1 calendar will shrink from its current 23 races looks to be accurate. Toto Wolff said recently he expects the 2021 schedule might ultimately be “shorter” due to covid-related cancellations, and now Carlos Sainz agrees. “Everything changes every week,” the Ferrari driver said. “Perhaps it’s time to get […]
Hamilton defers to team’s decision over 2022 teammate
Aug.28 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has come around to the “team’s point of view” regarding the identity of his teammate for 2022. That is the claim of Toto Wolff, after both Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas revealed that the seven time world champion would prefer if Mercedes’ driver lineup is unchanged. However, rumours are now beginning to […]