Dec.6 (GMM) Good news could be on the horizon for Russian drivers who are currently locked out of FIA-sanctioned international motor racing. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Russian drivers like the axed Nikita Mazepin were not only burdened with western sanctions, but strict conditions placed on them by the FIA. For instance, they […]
Month: December 2024
Zandvoort can survive without Dutch GP – designer
Dec.6 (GMM) Zandvoort will survive even without Formula 1, according to the circuit designer who was in charge of preparing the circuit for its run of Dutch grands prix. After 2026, the Dutch GP will no longer be on the calendar – entirely due to financial reasons and the lack of government support. Max Verstappen’s […]
BMW contract lets Magnussen keep working with Haas
Dec.6 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen’s new contract with BMW enables him to keep working in Formula 1 with Haas. Led by Ayao Komatsu, the small American team did not renew the 32-year-old’s race contract for 2025. On Thursday, BMW announced that the Dane will be a works prototype sports car driver next year, although “details about […]
Lawson, Hadjar, set for big Red Bull promotions
Dec.6 (GMM) Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar are both set for big promotions within Red Bull’s F1 family for 2025. Despite repeating the word “contract” no fewer than five times in his meeting with reporters on Thursday, most now expect Sergio Perez to be ousted after Sunday’s Abu Dhabi GP. The Mexican’s father Antonio Perez […]
Alonso slams F1’s official ‘Power Rankings’
Dec.6 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has rubbished F1’s official ‘Power Rankings’. After each race, a five-judge panel working for Formula 1 give drivers a score out of 10, “taking machinery out of the equation”. But Alonso, ninth in the drivers’ championship despite driving what he often calls “the slowest or second slowest car”, is not even […]
Haas boss denies knowledge of Ocon’s Alpine axe
Dec.6 (GMM) The boss of the Haas team says he has no idea why Esteban Ocon was ousted from his Alpine seat ahead of the 2024 season finale. Alpine explained that the French driver’s 2025 successor, rookie Jack Doohan, will race in Abu Dhabi so that Ocon is able to test the 2024 Haas car […]
Tempers flare as bosses enter Verstappen-Russell fight
Dec.6 (GMM) Tempers are flaring as Formula 1’s longest-ever season winds down in Abu Dhabi. A week after their spat in Qatar, Max Verstappen and George Russell are still at each other’s throats. Lando Norris, however, can only giggle at the spat. “Yes, the two you’re thinking about were sat as far away from each […]
Finnish broadcaster not spooked by Bottas exit
Dec.5 (GMM) Even with no Finnish drivers on the grid, Finnish fans of Formula 1 will still enjoy specialised television coverage of the sport. With Valtteri Bottas dropped by Audi-Sauber, 2025 will be the first full season without Finnish representation since 1977 – almost 50 years ago. It’s a remarkable feat for a country with […]
Assen will not rescue Dutch GP after 2026
Dec.5 (GMM) Assen, another Dutch circuit, is not going to step up to rescue the Dutch GP. Formula 1 and Zandvoort jointly announced on Wednesday that the 2026 edition at the venue – to be a sprint race for the first time – will be the last Dutch GP for now. “I’m shocked,” motor racing […]
Zandvoort chose to stop before Verstappen retires
Dec.5 (GMM) The Dutch GP organiser admits it was the popular Zandvoort event’s decision to step away from Formula 1 after 2026. Echoing F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s sentiments in the official statement, circuit boss Robert van Overdijk admitted to the broadcaster NOS that there were “several options on the table”. “We could have rotated with […]
Uncle says F1 will ‘quickly’ forget Mick Schumacher
Dec.5 (GMM) Mick Schumacher’s uncle admits it will be “difficult” for the departing Mercedes reserve driver to ever return to Formula 1. Schumacher, 25, was dumped by Haas at the end of 2022 but found sanctuary under Toto Wolff’s wing on the Mercedes reserve bench. However, for 2025, the young German says he wants to […]
Red Bull driver plans crystallising for 2025
Dec.5 (GMM) Red Bull’s driver plans for 2025 are starting to become clear. First, despite his protestations to the contrary, Sergio Perez looks set to lose his seat as Max Verstappen’s teammate. The Mexican arms of ESPN and Fox Sports are both citing “sources” who claim the team will allow Perez, 34, to publicly ‘retire’ […]
Formula 1 to leave Zandvoort after 2026 Dutch GP
Dec.4 (GMM) The Dutch GP will not be on the Formula 1 calendar after 2026, according to the authoritative newspaper De Telegraaf. Despite the Zandvoort event and Max Verstappen’s popularity, a dark cloud has hung over the race for some time. The existing contract runs out in 2025. “The current contract will be extended by […]
F1 could expand to twelve teams in future
Dec.4 (GMM) Formula 1 could completely fill the grid will a twelfth team, according to more and more paddock whispers. After the Andretti bid was initially approved by the FIA but rejected by F1 owner Liberty Media, the project rebranded as Cadillac and will be the eleventh team from 2026. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem […]
Boss excuses Alonso’s furious Qatar GP outburst
Dec.4 (GMM) Team boss Mike Krack has defended Fernando Alonso for his radio outburst of Qatar. After repeatedly denouncing his 2024 Aston Martin in recent weeks as the “slowest or second slowest” car this season, the two-time champion lost his cool on the radio last Sunday. He raged that he “cannot fuc*ing believe it – […]
No love lost as Bottas prepares to leave Sauber
Dec.4 (GMM) It is clear there is no love lost as Valtteri Bottas prepares to race for Audi-owned Sauber for the last time. Embarrassingly for the 10-time Mercedes race winner, he and the sacked Williams driver Logan Sargeant are the only competitors without a single point in 2024. That’s because his also-departing teammate Guanyu Zhou, […]
Red Bull eyes Guanyu Zhou’s Chinese sponsor money
Dec.4 (GMM) A second Formula 1 team has entered the frame to secure the services of Guanyu Zhou in 2025. The Chinese, who like Valtteri Bottas will contest his last grand prix for Audi-Sauber in Abu Dhabi, revealed in Qatar that Ferrari is “very interested” in signing him up for a reserve driver role for […]
Red Bull not favourites for 2025 or 2026 – Brown
Dec.4 (GMM) McLaren and Red Bull seem to agree that the latter energy drink-owned F1 team will not enter the 2025 season as the favourite. Appearing on Servus TV before travelling to Abu Dhabi for the season finale, Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko admitted the overwhelming feeling when Max Verstappen won his fourth title […]
Wild Ocon-Doohan-Colapinto theory circulates
Dec.4 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has made clear he would have preferred to race in Abu Dhabi this weekend. The Frenchman, who fell out with Alpine management this year and will switch to Haas for 2025, will be replaced in the season finale by his full-time successor, rookie Jack Doohan. “The change allows Esteban to be […]
Zak Brown plays down perceived Verstappen feud
Dec.3 (GMM) Zak Brown has moved to play down any perceived tension between him and quadruple world champion Max Verstappen. Brown, the McLaren CEO, approached the Red Bull driver during a live television interview after clinching his fourth title in Las Vegas and told Verstappen “You earned it”. “Like you said,” Verstappen replied, “before I […]