Apr.26 (GMM) The 2022 demise of the French GP at Paul Ricard has now become a full-scale disaster, with local prosecutors opening an investigation into “embezzlement of public funds”. Le Monde newspaper also said the former legal structure of the organisation in charge of the Formula 1 race – public interest group GPF-le Castellet – is already in compulsory liquidation, with debts tallying EUR 32 million. “The amounts are exorbitant,” politician Christelle D’Intorni told the newspaper, referring to a multitude of questionable expenses with unknown recipients. “What is shocking is that the trav ..read more

Apr.25 (GMM) Stefano Domenicali is taking a hard-line stance against drivers griping about Formula 1’s ever-intensifying schedule. Max Verstappen complained about the extra “stress” the sprint weekend format puts on the mechanics in particular, with Lando Norris agreeing: “It’s not healthy for them. “It’s not sustainable,” the McLaren driver added. These new complaints are on top of existing concerns about the unprecedentedly long calendars these days, with 24 races last year, 24 in 2024, and another 24 now on the table for next season. “I talk to them,” F1 CEO Domenicali is quoted by Italy’s ..read more

Apr.25 (GMM) A new deal to keep Formula 1 in Barcelona beyond 2026, when Madrid is taking over the official Spanish GP moniker, is “just as close” as it was a few months ago. That’s the news from the mouth of Oriol Sagrera, the new CEO of the Circuit de Catalunya – home of the Spanish GP since the early 90s. “We still have a lot of room to finalise the details of the renewal,” he told Spanish publications. His comments come as the circuit reveals a deal with Fira de Barcelona – the city’s trade fair institution. A new company, Fira Circuit, is now in charge of managing activities at the histor ..read more

Apr.25 (GMM) Sergio Perez’s father says he has no fear the Mexican will be left off the Formula 1 grid in 2025 and beyond. Dr Helmut Marko made clear in Shanghai that Red Bull has turned down the 34-year-old driver’s request for a three-year contract extension – but he’s not out of the frame to keep the seat alongside Max Verstappen next year. “It makes me happy that Sergio is showing stronger performances in this first part of the season than he did a year ago,” the 80-year-old team advisor wrote in his latest Speed Week column. “Checo no longer goes into the race with the aim of beating Max ..read more

Apr.25 (GMM) Ferrari’s surprise decision to use a blue livery in Miami next weekend suddenly makes more sense. Ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s huge-money move to Maranello for 2025 and beyond, the fabled team has announced a title sponsorship deal with HP – an American computer company with a blue logo. Ferrari has immediately become Scuderia Ferrari HP, with large blue HP logos set to be added to the otherwise red car. Mercedes, Hamilton’s current team, is sponsored by the related company HPE – Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper estimates Ferrari’s HP deal at a whoppi ..read more

Apr.25 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg’s rumoured move from Haas to Audi-owned Sauber for 2025 and beyond looks to be all but signed and sealed. F1-insider.com, a German specialist source, claims that with Audi’s reported mid-May deadline for a decision looming, Hulkenberg has agreed a three-year deal – for 2025, 2026 and 2027. “Only the signature is still missing,” said correspondent Ralf Bach. When asked by the publication, 36-year-old Hulkenberg replied: “I don’t participate in speculation.” A mid-May deadline for Carlos Sainz to respond to a similar offer is reportedly still in play, with driver ann ..read more

Apr.25 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo’s boost from his fresh monocoque in China may have been merely “psychological”. That’s the suspicion of Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s top Austrian F1 consultant, amid ongoing speculation that the Australian driver is not doing enough at the junior outfit RB this year to secure a 2025 seat. After struggling alongside Yuki Tsunoda early this season, Ricciardo campaigned to be allocated a fresh monocoque for China. The team obliged, but sporting boss Alan Permane admitted he was sceptical. However, the 34-year-old driver did seem to take a clear step forward in Shangha ..read more

Apr.24 (GMM) A proposal to extend the points-paying positions in Formula 1 from its current P10 all the way to P12 looks set to soar through the first decision-making hurdle. The F1 Commission – a decision-making body that precedes the rubber-stamping by the World Motor Sport Council – will discuss the idea in Geneva this week. If the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM) green-light the idea, which appears likely, then only half of the ten teams also need to say ‘yes’ for the proposal to proceed to the World Motor Sport Council. It’s no surprise that most, if not all, of the smaller teams – th ..read more

Apr.24 (GMM) A hopeful rookie is hoping his big chance to prove himself in Formula 1 may be looming just around the corner. After years of waiting for his own chance, reigning Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire turned his attention to Japan’s Super Formula series this year – whilst also getting his first couple of opportunities in Indycar. Pourchaire’s F2 runner-up last year was Frederik Vesti, who this year was signed for the European Le Mans series in the LMP2 class. But the 22-year-old Dane, who reportedly came close to replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams this year, is also not giving up o ..read more

Apr.23 (GMM) Heikki Kovalainen is on the road to recovery, following open-heart surgery. It emerged in March that the former Formula 1 driver, who is 42, was being forced to put his rallying career on hold after doctors discovered an enlarged aorta during a routine check. He had the required operation shortly afterwards. And now, after resting completely for a time, the ex-McLaren and Renault driver returned to F1 commentary duties over the recent Chinese GP weekend. “The recovery is going very well in every way,” the Finn told Ilta Sanomat newspaper. “But recovery is a long process.” Kovalain ..read more