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Verstappen rules out father's 'crazy' Superkart hobby

GMM — 2026-10-28T11:19:00Z

Max Verstappen says there is no chance he will follow father Jos into Superkart racing.
Jos Verstappen has apparently become heavily involved in the 250cc machines, which can reach around 250kph and accelerate from 0-100kph in under three seconds.
When asked by Viaplay whether he might try one himself, Max was emphatic.
"No! They're all crazy," said the Red Bull driver.
"I'll come and see, but no. Absolutely not!"
He said the same principle applies to his father's rallying.
"No, (…)

Perez plays down retirement talk ahead of home GP

GMM — 2026-10-28T09:16:00Z

Sergio Perez has played down recent hints that retirement may be approaching, insisting ahead of his home Mexican GP that he remains fully motivated.
The Cadillac driver admitted just prior to Austin that family considerations could influence how long he stays in Formula 1, particularly as his children get older.
But speaking in Mexico City ahead of his 300th Grand Prix, Perez sounded committed to continuing.
"When I'm no longer motivated, giving 100 percent, or when a driver comes (…)

Imola decision could make Antonelli instant champion

GMM — 2026-10-28T08:38:00Z

Formula 1 could know by November 9 whether Kimi Antonelli has already become world champion without needing another point.
Corriere dello Sport reports that November 9 - the day after the Brazilian GP - is now expected to be decisive for whether the scheduled Qatar and Abu Dhabi races remain on the calendar or Imola is activated as the emergency season finale.
"Is Kimi Antonelli already champion without knowing it? Possible, even probable," the Italian newspaper said.
Imola continues (…)

FIA circulates new 2030 engine proposal

GMM — 2026-10-28T08:02:06Z

Formula 1's next engine era is taking shape after the FIA circulated a new proposal document to the sport's six manufacturers.
According to the BBC, the document outlines a framework for simpler and cheaper turbo-hybrid V8 engines to arrive in either 2030 or 2031.
The proposal moves away from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's earlier push for naturally aspirated engines and instead retains both a turbo and a reduced hybrid element.
The plan centres on a 2.0 to 2.3-litre V8, lower (…)

Bridgestone eyes F1 return after paddock visits

GMM — 2026-10-28T07:29:00Z

Bridgestone is reportedly preparing another attempt to return to Formula 1 when the next tyre supply tender opens.
Senior representatives from the Japanese manufacturer were present at both Singapore and Austin, with reports suggesting that discussions have taken place about a possible comeback.
Pirelli's current exclusive deal runs through the end of 2028, meaning 2029 is the earliest Bridgestone could return.
Bridgestone last supplied Formula 1 in 2010 before Pirelli took over the (…)

Verstappen joins Marko in defending Rwanda race

GMM — 2026-10-27T16:17:00Z

Max Verstappen has become the latest prominent Formula 1 figure to defend the sport's controversial decision to race in Rwanda. Dr Helmut Marko last week argued that a world championship should include all regions and that criticism of Rwanda should be viewed in the context of other countries already on the calendar.
Verstappen struck a similar tone when asked about the political and human rights controversy surrounding the new African GP.
"You could say all that about a lot of (…)

Mexico altitude poses new test for 2026 engines

GMM — 2026-10-27T13:47:00Z

Formula 1 teams are heading into Mexico with genuine uncertainty over how the new-generation power units will cope with the circuit's extreme altitude.
Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur said the combination of reduced air density, cooling demands and the very different 2026 aerodynamic package makes predictions difficult.
"No one knows how these new cars will perform at altitude," he said.
"We don't know whether Mexico will be good for these cars, given the cooling problems caused by the (…)

Lambiase returns to Verstappen radio in Mexico

GMM — 2026-10-27T13:04:00Z

Gianpiero Lambiase will return as Max Verstappen's race engineer in Mexico after Tom Hart's first full weekend in the role in Austin.
The switch, however, is not a reaction to Verstappen's winning streak ending with P3 in Texas, nor to several minor radio misunderstandings involving Hart.
Red Bull had already planned to alternate the two engineers as it prepares Hart to take over permanently from the McLaren-bound Lambiase.
"I really think he did an excellent job," team boss Laurent (…)

Leadership change not response to poor season - Honda

GMM — 2026-10-27T12:21:00Z

Honda insists its major leadership change is not a reaction to the manufacturer's difficult 2026 Formula 1 season.
Koji Watanabe is stepping down as HRC president from January 1, with Keiichi Yasuda taking over, amid a wider reshuffle that has also affected Honda's F1 power unit operation.
But Watanabe told as-web.jp that the decision was made long before Honda's troubled return with Aston Martin.
"I had already received informal notification of this change from last fall to the end of (…)

Hadjar told to 'take it down a notch'

GMM — 2026-10-27T11:38:00Z

Ralf Schumacher has told Isack Hadjar to calm down after another weekend of angry radio outbursts in Austin.
The Red Bull driver repeatedly vented his frustration over the car before apologising after qualifying.
"I owe the team an apology because I was very rough with the engineers," Hadjar admitted.
But the frustration was palpable during the race, particularly when a technical issue affected the car's power delivery.
"I like Hadjar, but he needs to take it down a notch," (…)

Dakar move keeps spotlight on F1's Gulf finale

GMM — 2026-10-27T10:54:00Z

The confirmed relocation of the 2027 Dakar Rally from Saudi Arabia has put fresh attention on Formula 1's determination to finish its season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
The FIA and Dakar organiser ASO have confirmed that January's rally will leave Saudi Arabia because of "recent developments in the region", although it is expected to return in 2028.
For Formula 1, any late change would now have major sporting consequences.
Blick veteran Roger Benoit noted that if the remaining Middle East (…)

Alonso went too far with Albon attack - Capelli

GMM — 2026-10-27T09:43:00Z

Former Formula 1 driver Ivan Capelli says Fernando Alonso "exaggerated" with his attack on Alex Albon after their clash in Austin.
Alonso had said "the quality of the drivers in the bottom third of the field is quite low" after contact with the Williams driver damaged his Aston Martin.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capelli pushed back on that assessment.
"I think he exaggerated," said the 63-year-old.
"Because, in any case, if we want to catch even those who are truly racing (…)

Antonelli to keep number 12 as Wolff defends Russell

GMM — 2026-10-27T09:06:00Z

Kimi Antonelli says he intends to keep racing with number 12 even if he becomes F1's youngest ever world champion in Mexico.
The Mercedes driver told Blick that he does not plan to switch to number 1, unlike Max Verstappen in recent years and current champion Lando Norris.
"First I have to do my job in Mexico," Antonelli, 20, said.
"But I think that once I've finished, I'll still compete with my number 12!"
Antonelli, a long-time Ayrton Senna fan, chose 12 partly because Senna raced (…)

Red Bull-Ford not ready for customer teams - Mekies

GMM — 2026-10-27T08:17:00Z

Red Bull says its new Ford-backed power unit program is not yet ready to supply customer teams, despite apparent interest from elsewhere on the grid.
Laurent Mekies said Red Bull Powertrains has attracted widespread attention after a stronger-than-expected first season under the complex new regulations.
"We have received a lot of unsolicited positive publicity regarding the performance of our engine," the Frenchman said.
"And that has naturally led to interest from many teams."
But (…)

Cadillac admits Herta could replace Bottas

GMM — 2026-10-27T07:13:00Z

Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss has admitted Colton Herta still has a chance of landing a race seat in 2027 as questions intensify around Valtteri Bottas' form.
New team principal Marcin Budkowski had already refused in Austin to confirm Cadillac's 2027 driver lineup, despite Bottas and Sergio Perez previously being presented as long-term signings.
Towriss has now gone further, telling Racer that Bottas' recent race pace is under discussion inside the team.
"Obviously we've got Checo and (…)

Wolff relieved after son's frightening kart crash

GMM — 2026-10-27T06:26:00Z

Toto Wolff says his nine-year-old son Jack is unharmed after a frightening karting accident in Italy.
The Mercedes team principal was in Austin when footage emerged of the crash at the IAME Warriors Final in Viterbo.
Jack Wolff was fighting for the lead late in the race when contact triggered a multi-kart accident and another kart was launched into the air, striking him around the helmet and shoulder area.
The race was immediately stopped, but young Wolff was able to climb from the (…)

Bottas dismisses latest Cadillac exit rumours

GMM — 2026-10-26T12:33:00Z

Valtteri Bottas says he is not concerned by growing speculation that Cadillac could replace him for 2027.
The Finn has recently been linked with losing his seat as names including Colton Herta, Esteban Ocon and Yuki Tsunoda emerge around the new American team.
New Cadillac boss Marcin Budkowski has also declined to publicly confirm Bottas' 2027 contract status.
When asked about the rumours in Austin, however, 37-year-old Bottas was relaxed.
"No," said the former Mercedes driver.
"I (…)

New engineer praised despite Verstappen problems

GMM — 2026-10-26T10:14:00Z

Tom Hart's first full race weekend as Max Verstappen's planned next race engineer ended with praise from Red Bull - despite more radio trouble and a few closely watched mistakes.
Hart, who has worked at Red Bull since 2012 and has been part of Verstappen's engineering group since 2020, is being prepared to replace the McLaren-bound Gianpiero Lambiase full-time - probably from 2027.
He took over Verstappen's radio in Austin as part of that transition, with Lambiase still supporting from (…)

Alonso slams 'quality of drivers' after Albon clash

GMM — 2026-10-26T09:33:00Z

Fernando Alonso has launched a surprisingly harsh attack on Alex Albon after first-lap contact ruined what he felt was Aston Martin's strongest race of the season.
The pair touched at Turn 11, leaving Alonso with heavy floor and sidepod damage, although the stewards took no action against Albon.
Alonso nevertheless made his feelings extraordinarily clear.
"Albon forgot that turn 11 was there and he had to turn left," said the Spaniard.
Later, he went even further.
"I think starting (…)

Antonelli on verge of EUR 10m title bonus

GMM — 2026-10-26T08:48:00Z

Kimi Antonelli is now within touching distance of becoming the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history after converting pole into victory in Austin.
The Mercedes driver only narrowly missed sealing the championship in Texas, with George Russell finishing eighth - one place too high for Antonelli to clinch the title.
Antonelli now needs only P9 in Mexico this weekend to secure the title and break Sebastian Vettel's record as the youngest champion.
"Kimi has won the World (…)

Ecclestone puts Verstappen top of revised all-time list

GMM — 2026-10-25T14:56:00Z

Bernie Ecclestone has reportedly revised his personal ranking of Formula 1's greatest ever drivers, placing Max Verstappen above Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.
German journalist Ralf Bach said on f1-insider.com that he spoke with the former F1 supremo last week and that Ecclestone now wants to expand his previous top five into a top six.
Bach recalled that Ecclestone had previously ranked Jochen Rindt fifth, Niki Lauda fourth, Schumacher third, Senna second and Prost (…)

Hockenheim not open to one-off F1 return only

GMM — 2026-10-25T14:07:00Z

Hockenheim says it would consider stepping in if Formula 1 needs another replacement race because of the Middle East conflict - but only if it helps secure a proper return to the calendar.
Sepang already replaced Bahrain earlier this month, while uncertainty remains around the scheduled Qatar and Abu Dhabi races - with Imola quietly making preparations in the meantime.
Hockenheimring managing director Jorn Teske told formel1.de that the German circuit could be interested if a late (…)

Mekies backs Vasseur amid renewed Ferrari speculation

GMM — 2026-10-25T13:12:00Z

Laurent Mekies has backed Frederic Vasseur as renewed speculation continues around the Ferrari team principal's future. Vasseur has again faced questions over whether he could be replaced, while Ralf Schumacher even suggested the strain on his health could prompt him to step away from F1.
Mekies, who worked alongside Vasseur at Ferrari during part of 2023 before leaving for Red Bull's sister team, told Corriere della Sera that his fellow Frenchman deserves more stability.
"I think Fred (…)

Alonso invited to IndyCar race, Ford wants Verstappen for GT program

GMM — 2026-10-25T12:19:00Z

Fernando Alonso has emerged as the obvious candidate for a possible guest entry when IndyCar races in Barcelona next year. Ford wants to bring Max Verstappen into its GT racing activities in the future.
Spanish reports say Penske Entertainment is considering whether to relax its normal 25-car limit for the Barcelona round and allow an additional local guest driver.
IndyCar president Doug Boles was quoted by Spanish publication Motor.es as saying the idea has already been discussed (…)

Alpine distances itself from Colapinto joke

GMM — 2026-10-25T11:28:00Z

Alpine has distanced itself from a joke by former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson about Franco Colapinto's nationality.
Clarkson, a longstanding Alpine supporter who has collaborated commercially with the Enstone-based team through his Oxfordshire farming business, was a guest of Alpine in Austin and appeared on Sky ahead of qualifying.
Discussing Colapinto's actual 10-place grid penalty for a power unit component change, Clarkson joked: "Franco's got a grid penalty for being (…)

Herta emerges as contender for Bottas' seat

GMM — 2026-10-25T09:54:00Z

Colton Herta has emerged as a serious candidate to replace Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac in 2027, despite his difficult Formula 2 season and the fact he still lacks a Formula 1 super licence.
Paddock reports in Austin suggest Cadillac is considering giving Herta an additional FP1 appearance before the end of the season specifically to secure the final super licence point he needs.
The American currently has 39 of the required 40 points after his IndyCar results and F1 practice appearances. (…)

Verstappen hits back at COTA boss over bumps

GMM — 2026-10-25T09:41:00Z

Max Verstappen has hit back at Circuit of The Americas boss Bobby Epstein after the US GP promoter played down concerns about Austin's extreme bumps.
Epstein told ESPN that the track was generally in "really good shape" apart from one dip near Turn 1, and suggested Verstappen might be pleasantly surprised once he drove it.
He was not.
"Well, I invite him to drive my car," Verstappen told Viaplay.
"Then I'd see him get out within five laps, because he doesn't want to do it anymore." (…)

Antonelli takes control of Austin title chance

GMM — 2026-10-25T09:27:00Z

Kimi Antonelli has put himself in position to become Formula 1 world champion on Sunday after taking pole in Austin for his first title match point.
The Mercedes driver will start ahead of Max Verstappen, while Lewis Hamilton qualified fifth and George Russell only sixth.
That keeps the championship scenario alive, although Antonelli still needs to win the race, with Russell finishing no higher than ninth and Hamilton no higher than fifth.
Verstappen said the title for Antonelli is (…)

Wolff admits Mercedes succession plan taking shape

GMM — 2026-10-25T09:07:00Z

Toto Wolff has admitted he is already planning how Mercedes will eventually operate without him at the helm.
Speaking on the Cheeky Pint podcast, the Mercedes team boss and major shareholder said the goal is to build a structure that can survive his eventual step back.
"For me, it's important to do what's best for the family and to do what's best for the team," said the 54-year-old Austrian.
"That means looking at the structure going forward where this team can live without me." (…)

Russell says Horner talks were 'mind games'

GMM — 2026-10-25T08:18:00Z

George Russell has played down Christian Horner's claim that Red Bull seriously explored signing him, saying the contact was mainly part of the former team boss' political games with Toto Wolff.
Horner wrote in his new book Drive that he contacted Russell's management while Wolff was openly courting Max Verstappen.
Russell says it never went far.
"Not serious at all, to be honest," he said in Austin.
"I had no intention whatsoever of driving anywhere other than at Mercedes."
He (…)