Sep.5 (GMM) In the hours before they race off to turn 1 at Zandvoort, F1 legend Alain Prost admits that another clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is “almost inevitable”. However, the Frenchman – once locked in similar title battles with the great Ayrton Senna – admits he is enjoying the intensity of the […]
Month: September 2021
Kubica knew F1 substitute drive would be ‘hard’
Sep.5 (GMM) Robert Kubica admits he struggled to get up to speed in Formula 1 after filling in for the suddenly covid-positive Kimi Raikkonen at Zandvoort. The Pole, whose last competitive motor race was in the German series DTM last year, was called up from his Alfa Romeo reserve duties whilst asleep in a hotel […]
Norris ‘intelligence’ key to beating Ricciardo – Magnussen
Sep.5 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen admits it is “strange” that former 7-time grand prix winner Daniel Ricciardo is now struggling in Formula 1. Since leaving Red Bull, Australian Ricciardo, 32, has looked less impressive at Renault and even more so at McLaren, where Lando Norris has the clear upper hand. “It’s strange that Ricciardo is having […]
Haas teammate relationship ‘suffering’ – Steiner
Sep.5 (GMM) Gunther Steiner is scrambling to ease open hostilities between the two sides of Haas’ team garage. After qualifying, controversial Russian Nikita Mazepin lost his cool with teammate Mick Schumacher, claiming his fellow rookie broke an agreement to give him track position in qualifying. Their scruffy scuffle led to Sebastian Vettel being blocked behind […]
Aston Martin rejects Alonso speculation
Sep.5 (GMM) Aston Martin has rubbished suggestions that Fernando Alonso turned down an offer to replace Sebastian Vettel for 2022. After two-time champion Alonso, 40, recently re-committed to the Alpine team for next season, reports began to emerge that the Spaniard had received and rejected an alternative offer from Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll. “Lawrence […]
Albon not denying rumours of 2022 F1 return
Sep.5 (GMM) Alex Albon is not denying that moves are afoot to take him back to Formula 1. Unsurprisingly, the former Red Bull driver’s rumoured link to Williams for 2022 is getting tied up in the wider Mercedes-versus-Red Bull narrative. At Zandvoort, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said “bring it on” to rumours that Red Bull […]
No ‘alternative’ to Tsunoda for 2022 – Tost
Sep.4 (GMM) Franz Tost has moved to reassure Yuki Tsunoda that the Japanese rookie will probably not be dropped from the Alpha Tauri lineup for 2022. When asked at Zandvoort about his future, the fast but often erratic 21-year-old admitted his chances of keeping his Formula 1 seat were only “50-50”. “It was really up […]
Top female driver hits out at W Series
Sep.4 (GMM) One of the world’s highest profile female racing drivers has lashed out at the all-women single seater category W Series. W Series is enjoying a wave of publicity in 2021 as it is serving as a regular Formula 1 support race at grands prix. At Spa last weekend, the series caught the racing […]
Magnussen worried about Haas’ 2022 hopes
Sep.4 (GMM) Former team driver Kevin Magnussen is not confident Haas will improve dramatically when the all-new 2022 regulations get up and racing next year. After losing his place in F1, the 28-year-old Dane is currently racing in US-based sports cars, but he will become a works Peugeot driver in the world endurance championship next […]
Engine politics dragged into F1 ‘silly season’
Sep.4 (GMM) Formula 1’s current ‘silly season’ is not just about drivers. For instance, amid rumours Valtteri Bottas is set to move from Mercedes to Alfa Romeo, it is rumoured that the Swiss team is also contemplating a concurrent move from Ferrari to Mercedes power. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the rumours have left […]
Vettel says anti-Dutch GP protests ‘good’
Sep.4 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel says it’s “good” that environmental groups are trying to shut down the Dutch GP. One such ‘green’ group appealed to a court as recently as this week to get Zandvoort’s nitrogen emissions permit rescinded, while ‘Extinction Rebellion’ is also vocally opposed to the Formula 1 race. “The grand prix is an […]
Verstappen happy to secure ‘ugly’ Dutch GP trophy
Sep.4 (GMM) Max Verstappen is hoping to hold the “ugly” winner’s trophy aloft after his home grand prix on Sunday. The Dutchman is not even shy to admit that this weekend’s Dutch GP at Zandvoort would probably never have received a green light without his massive popularity in the Netherlands. “I don’t want it to […]
Raikkonen wants no ‘schedule’ for life in retirement
Sep.3 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen is making no immediate plans except to adjust to the routines of family life after his two-decade Formula 1 adventure finally ends late this year. The 41-year-old Finn revealed at Zandvoort that he had already told Alfa Romeo before the start of the 2021 season that he was “95 percent” decided […]
Vettel not yet committed to F1 for 2022
Sep.3 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is not yet committed to returning to the Formula 1 grid in 2022. When the quadruple world champion moved to Aston Martin this year after losing his Ferrari seat, the understanding was that it was more than a single-season deal. And yet there have been rumours that – owner Lawrence Stroll’s […]
Hamilton expects to ‘get along’ with Russell
Sep.3 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton thinks he will “get along pretty well” with George Russell if the young Briton becomes his new Mercedes teammate. At Zandvoort, the feeling is stronger than ever that Valtteri Bottas has definitely agreed a multi-year deal to replace Finnish countryman Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo next year. “Maybe I already know […]
Verstappen’s father hopes Dutch fans won’t boo
Sep.3 (GMM) Max Verstappen broke with his usual routine on Thursday by doing a ‘track walk’ on home soil at Zandvoort. “Are you sick or something?” his father Jos jokingly asked him over the phone as the circuit inspection with Red Bull engineers took place on Thursday. Amid the intense title battle with Lewis Hamilton, […]
Rosberg tells Hamilton to expect Dutch booing
Sep.2 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has warned his former Mercedes teammate to expect a sea of Dutch booing this weekend at Zandvoort. Lewis Hamilton has already been the subject of vocal spectator dissent in 2021, as his title battle with Dutch hero Max Verstappen heats up. The rivalry will be brought to the boil this weekend, […]
Raikkonen’s long career ‘incomprehensible’ – Hakkinen
Sep.2 (GMM) Mika Hakkinen says it is “incomprehensible” how Kimi Raikkonen managed to extend his longest-ever Formula 1 career to approaching 350 grands prix. It has been announced that the popular and highly unique 41-year-old former world champion will finally retire from F1 at the end of the season. “I appreciate Kim’s energy and the […]
Lammers plays down chances of second Dutch F1 race in 2023
Sep.2 (GMM) Dutch GP boss Jan Lammers has scoffed at claims a second grand prix in the Netherlands could soon be added to the Formula 1 calendar. This weekend, after a one-year delay due to covid, Zandvoort is finally hosting its first F1 race for almost four decades. And according to Jos Vaessen, chairman of […]
Mercedes engines could join Bottas at Alfa Romeo
Sep.2 (GMM) Alfa Romeo could be set to make a sensational switch from Ferrari to Mercedes power. The move would surprise many, especially as the Swiss-based Sauber team only recently extended its naming sponsorship deal with the Ferrari-linked Alfa Romeo brand. But now, Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas is set to be signed up with Alfa Romeo […]