Jul.9 (GMM) F1’s governing body appears to have put the brakes on plans to expand the current layout of the Austrian grand prix. A year ago, track owner Red Bull started looking into reviving a fabled high speed section of the former Osterreichring called the Westschleife (west loop). “It would separate the men from the […]
Month: July 2017
Force India ‘not ready’ to announce Auer test
Jul.9 (GMM) Force India is still not confirming reports that DTM frontrunner Lucas Auer will get his first F1 test in August. Austrian Auer, who is F1 legend Gerhard Berger’s nephew, is personally sponsored by BWT, the company who convinced Force India to paint its cars pink for 2017. The 22-year-old is also partly supported […]
F1 could introduce new engines one year early
Jul.9 (GMM) F1 could introduce a new engine formula as early as 2020. That is despite the fact the current regulations governing the controversial ‘power unit’ rules are technically set to run until the end of 2020. Bild newspaper claims: “The FIA, teams and manufacturers could agree to bring in the new engines from the […]
‘Something changed’ in McLaren-Honda divorce
Jul.9 (GMM) After a tumultuous period in the McLaren-Honda marriage, the works collaboration now appears to be back on track. Recent reports hinted that a divorce announcement was imminent, but the rhetoric has suddenly changed in Austria, where Honda has duly delivered the more powerful ‘spec 3’ engine. It actually malfunctioned in Fernando Alonso’s car, […]
Vandoorne plays down 2017 gap to Alonso
Jul.8 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne insists he is not getting down about his disappointing first season in F1. The once-promising Belgian is not only struggling with the below-par McLaren-Honda package, but being consistently outshone by his teammate Fernando Alonso. But he told Brazil’s Globo: “I don’t think you can compare us yet. “The two cars are […]
Mateschitz ‘understands’ Verstappen anger
Jul.8 (GMM) Dietrich Mateschitz says he ‘understands’ the anger expressed recently by Max Verstappen. Amid rumours the young Dutchman is trying to leave his Red Bull contract to join Ferrari, Verstappen was fined EUR 25,000 in Baku for storming out of the circuit without talking to the media. Mateschitz, Red Bull’s low-profile billionaire team owner, […]
Wolff rules out Ocon for Mercedes in 2018
Jul.8 (GMM) Toto Wolff has ruled out signing up Esteban Ocon to replace Valtteri Bottas for 2018. Currently, while happy with Bottas’ performance at Mercedes this year after he replaced Nico Rosberg, Wolff says he is not ready to re-sign the Finn for 2018. Fernando Alonso has been slated as one potential alternative for Mercedes, […]
McLaren denies Honda power ‘break’ rumour
Jul.8 (GMM) The future of the McLaren-Honda project appears to be in healthier shape this weekend in Austria. Ahead of the FIA press conference on Friday, Mercedes’ Toto Wolff was supposed to have been joined by Pirelli’s Mario Isola and Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene. But at the last minute, the Italians were replaced by McLaren’s […]
No regrets after Force India exit – Hulkenberg
Jul.8 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says he has no regrets after switching from Force India to the Renault works team for 2018. While Force India is an impressive fourth in the constructors’ championship, Renault is a lowly ninth as the halfway point of the season approaches. So when asked if he regrets accepting a pay rise […]
Marko says ‘No’ to Verstappen rumours
Jul.8 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has issued his latest clear “No” amid speculation Max Verstappen could be on the move for 2018. Rumours the young Dutch driver is positioning to accept an offer from Ferrari despite his ongoing Red Bull contract have been consistently denied. So amid the latest wave of speculation in Austria, 19-year-old […]
Sainz hits back after Red Bull rebuke
Jul.8 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he will talk to Helmut Marko, Christian Horner and Franz Tost, after being slammed by his Red Bull bosses in Austria. Earlier, amid rumours he has been offered a Renault seat for 2018, the young Spaniard said it was indeed “unlikely” he will stay at Toro Rosso next year. Horner, […]
F1 to have Halo or Shield in 2018 – Whiting
Jul.8 (GMM) F1 cars will feature either Halo or ‘Shield’ cockpit protection in 2018. Earlier, the controversial ‘halo’-like system was shelved by F1 chiefs in deference to research into the more attractive transparent shield device, which is set to be tested by Ferrari next weekend at Silverstone. Only after the ‘Shield’ tests will the FIA […]
Failures not Verstappen’s fault – Ricciardo
Jul.7 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says his Red Bull teammate is not to blame for a run of technical failures. Amid rumours he has been offered a seat at Ferrari for 2018, Max Verstappen has not hidden his fury with his current situation at Red Bull in recent races. His father Jos has even denied rumours […]
Alonso dismisses Vettel, Hamilton comments
Jul.7 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he is not concerned if the top drivers at Ferrari and Mercedes do not want him as their 2018 teammate. Rumours suggest the Spaniard wants to leave the hapless McLaren-Honda project and switch to one of F1’s top two teams next year. But when asked if they would like Alonso […]
Massa could stay in 2018 – Williams
Jul.7 (GMM) Felipe Massa could stay in formula one beyond the end of this year. That is the view of Williams deputy Claire Williams, after the veteran Brazilian declared this week that he is not ruling out yet another year in F1 for 2018. Massa actually retired at the end of last year but was […]
Wehrlein admits Sauber atmosphere ‘different’
Jul.7 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein is not ruling out staying at Sauber next year. That is despite recent rumours suggesting the shock departure of boss Monisha Kaltenborn was linked with a driver equality spat involving the young German. Now, with his ally Kaltenborn gone, Wehrlein admits the atmosphere at Sauber is different. “We do not have […]
Ferrari not confirming engine boss exit
Jul.7 (GMM) Ferrari is not confirming reports that its engine boss has left the team. Il Giornale, a Milan daily, reports that engine designer Lorenzo Sassi has left the Maranello outfit. There are conflicting accounts as to why, with one source saying Sassi has actually been called up by president Sergio Marchionne to the parent […]
Williams defends Stroll’s private tests
Jul.7 (GMM) The next steps in Lance Stroll’s private test programme are not known. This week, ex-Williams driver Jacques Villeneuve criticised his former team for organising private tests in a 2014 car for Stroll, the son of Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll. “It’s not fair to the other drivers because he is the only one to […]
Vettel denies ‘oil in fuel’ story hurt Ferrari
Jul.7 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he is not ready to declare that Mercedes has definitely raced ahead in the 2017 championship battle. After Sebastian Vettel’s Monaco win, Ferrari appeared to suffer an obvious drop in performance, just as the FIA clamped down on the adding of oil to fuel. Some suspect the FIA ruling was […]
Massa has eye on Kubica’s comeback attempt
Jul.7 (GMM) Felipe Massa admits he will keep a close eye on former F1 driver Robert Kubica’s push to return to the category. Renault has now confirmed rumours that, after giving the Pole a test at Valencia recently, Kubica will get a more comprehensive outing at Paul Ricard in the near future. “This second test […]