Feb.24 (GMM) Vijay Mallya has fired a parting shot at the recently deposed F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. The Indian businessman’s Force India team finished an admirable fourth overall last year, despite having one of the smallest budgets in pitlane. But when the 2017 car was unveiled, it was clear that success had not translated into […]
Month: February 2017
Wolff ‘not worried’ amid suspension row
Feb.24 (GMM) Toto Wolff insists he is “not worried” Mercedes’ controversial suspension system will be declared illegal by the FIA. A dispute is raging between Mercedes and Red Bull, who are using a linked suspension concept, and another camp led mainly by Ferrari. It has raised the spectre of a controversy and protest-riddled 2017 season […]
Renault takes ‘risk’ as new Toro Rosso fails
Feb.24 (GMM) Renault is a “serious contender” amid the engine power battle in F1. That is the claim of Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, amid eyebrow-raising rumours about the 35 horse power step Renault has supposedly taken over the winter. “That is an impressive number,” Wolff admitted. “Renault is a highly professional organisation and we […]
Bottas has ‘no problem’ with sharing telemetry
Feb.24 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he has “no problem” sharing telemetry with teammate Lewis Hamilton in 2017. Earlier, Mercedes regular and triple world champion Hamilton stirred up a new controversy by saying he was unhappy with his teammate always having access to his telemetry. The Briton clarified his remarks on Twitter, insisting he has “zero […]
Mercedes ‘closer and closer’ to 1000hp
Feb.24 (GMM) Mercedes is inching ever “closer” to the milestone mark of 1000 horse power with its field-leading V6 power unit. That is the admission of engine boss Aldo Costa, amid reports that while Ferrari, Renault and even Honda are now closing up on Mercedes, the German marque has also made a significant step for […]
Sainz’s father plays down new Renault rumours
Feb.24 (GMM) Carlos Sainz’s father has played down the revival of rumours linking the 22-year-old Spaniard with a move to the works Renault team. Last year, Sainz was reportedly offered a drive by Renault for 2017, but Red Bull would not release him from his Toro Rosso contract. Now, Renault has signed a prominent new […]
Mercedes to test ‘shark fin’ in Barcelona
Feb.24 (GMM) Mercedes will add a ‘shark fin’ to its newly-launched 2017 car for the forthcoming official testing in Barcelona. When the W08 was launched at Silverstone on Thursday, it was notable that – unlike the similarly-revealed Williams, Sauber, Williams and Renault – it was missing an engine cover ‘shark fin’. But Mercedes’ technical boss […]
Mercedes to keep ‘driver rules’ in 2017
Feb.24 (GMM) Mercedes will continue to have written ‘rules of engagement’ for the battle between its F1 drivers. In recent years, the acrimony between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg meant that detailed guidelines about their on-track battles was enshrined in what became known in the paddock as ‘the bible’. But even with retiring Rosberg’s replacement […]
Force India thinks Melbourne protest possible
Feb.23 (GMM) Force India thinks rumours of official protests in Melbourne over an argument about suspension systems could be right. A spat has broken out between Mercedes and Red Bull on one side and Ferrari on the other over the legality of ‘active suspension’-mimicking systems. “I think it’s possible we’ll have a protest,” Force India […]
Mallya hits back at extradition moves
Feb.23 (GMM) Vijay Mallya has hit out at the Indian media, a day after his F1 team’s 2017 car was revealed to the world. The embattled businessman has high hopes for this season, rebuking Renault chief Cyril Abiteboul who doubts Force India can keep up with the pace of development amid F1’s new technical regulations […]
No late livery change for Renault
Feb.23 (GMM) Renault has shot down a rumour that it might be considering a livery change for the start of the season in Melbourne. A year ago, as the French carmaker returned to the sport as a full constructor, it launched a black test car only for it to switch to all-yellow for the actual […]
Bottas has ‘chance’ to beat Hamilton – Prost
Feb.23 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has a “good chance” to take on triple world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2017. That is the view of F1 legend Alain Prost, while other observers wonder if Mercedes newcomer Bottas is up to the challenge of a head-to-head with Hamilton at the sport’s dominant team. “I think Valtteri has a […]
Ferrari won’t win 2017 title – Prost
Feb.23 (GMM) Alain Prost does not think a Ferrari driver will win the world championship in 2017. Despite high expectations, the fabled Italian team failed to win even a single race in 2016. But now the technical regulations are changing radically, with former Ferrari driver Prost commenting: “When the rules and the cars change a […]
Verstappen ready for F1 title – Marko
Feb.23 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko thinks Max Verstappen is ready to battle for the F1 title. This week, 19-year-old Max’s father Jos said he thinks the young Dutchman needs another year before Red Bull is ready to take on Mercedes. But Marko, who is Red Bull’s driver manager, said on the Dutch programme Jinek: “Now […]
F1 legend Stuck likes 2017 cars
Feb.23 (GMM) As the new generation of F1 cars are steadily unveiled this week, German legend Hans-Joachim Stuck likes what he sees. So far, Williams, Sauber, Renault and now Force India have shown off their new cars that are tipped to be up to 6 seconds per lap faster than in 2016. “It’s the right […]
Zanardi not sure Ferrari ready to win
Feb.23 (GMM) Alex Zanardi is not sure Ferrari is ready to ace the new regulations in 2017. Like many fans, the former F1 driver is looking forward to the reveal of the new red car, following a disappointing campaign last year. “I have no doubt the men at Maranello are extremely keen to redeem themselves […]
F1 teams face split over income – source
Feb.23 (GMM) F1 teams could be set to split into two camps, as a new row about income distribution threatens to break out. How the sport’s vast revenues are distributed is a thorny topic up and down pitlane, with Red Bull arguing this week that it deserves to keep receiving more than the small teams […]
Big teams deserve more money – Marko
Feb.22 (GMM) Bigger teams deserve more income because they give more to the sport. That is the claim of Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko, as the European Commission considers whether to investigate the sport’s practices and amid new owner Liberty Media’s plans for the next commercial contracts beyond 2020. Some, however, think the small teams […]
Mercedes ‘curious’ to see Honda progress
Feb.22 (GMM) Mercedes’ engine chief has admitted to being “curious” to spot Honda’s progress of the winter period. While Mercedes has utterly dominated the ‘power unit’ era, Honda notably struggled in 2015 and 2016 at the beginning of the works partnership with McLaren. And Andy Cowell, who is the engine boss at Mercedes, agrees with […]
Villeneuve tips Vettel to shine in 2017
Feb.22 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve has tipped Sebastian Vettel to be a standout performer in 2017. More widely, pundits are naming the Mercedes and Red Bull drivers as the likely pacesetters this year. But 1997 title winner Villeneuve said fans should also be watching a red car. “Sebastian’s driving style fits perfectly with the new cars,” […]