Aug.10 (GMM) Nico Rosberg is not sure Ferrari has the ability to stay ahead of Mercedes in 2017. A year ago, it was the now-retired German who was en route to the world championship for Mercedes, but now he is merely watching as former teammate Lewis Hamilton pushes to catch title leader Sebastian Vettel. “Ferrari […]
Month: August 2017
No rush to add more American races – Carey
Aug.9 (GMM) Chase Carey says he will not rush to set up a second race in the United States. Currently, the annual US grand prix is held in Austin, Texas. But after the Liberty Media buyout, there have been claims Bernie Ecclestone’s successor, American Carey, has prioritised the adding of a second or even third […]
McLaren denies Alonso to skip Singapore
Aug.9 (GMM) McLaren executive Zak Brown has slammed suggestions Fernando Alonso may miss another grand prix this year. In May, the Spaniard sat out Monaco in order to contest the fabled Indy 500. Now, rumours are circulating that Alonso could return to the wheel of an Indycar for the American series’ finale at the Sonoma […]
Kvyat can’t take Toro Rosso seat for granted – Petrov
Aug.9 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat cannot take his place in formula one for granted. That is the view of the Russian youngster’s countryman Vitaly Petrov, who some years ago became the first Russian to race in F1. Now, 23-year-old Kvyat is flying the flag for Russia and, according to Red Bull chiefs, stands a good chance […]
Pundit defends Magnussen amid criticism
Aug.9 (GMM) A leading F1 correspondent has backed Kevin Magnussen amid criticism of the Haas driver’s racing style. Magnussen won internet infamy with his “suck my b-lls” retort after Hungary, but Nico Hulkenberg had triggered the insult by accusing the Dane of being an unsporting driver. Subsequently backing Hulkenberg in their assessment of Magnussen were […]
Kubica had ‘no problem’ with 2017 car – engineer
Aug.9 (GMM) A Renault engineer has raised expectations Robert Kubica might indeed be heading back to F1. Dozens of Polish media and thousands of his fans cheered the 32-year-old as he got to grips with Renault’s 2017 car in the recent Hungary test, notwithstanding his permanent injuries sustained in a crash six years ago. Ricardo […]
Domenicali enjoying F1’s ‘open’ 2017 season
Aug.9 (GMM) Former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali has admitted he is crossing his fingers the Maranello marque can end its decade-long title drought this year. The Italian was Ferrari team principal for six years until 2014, and now heads Lamborghini. Red Bull boss Christian Horner has linked Lamborghini with a future move into F1, and […]
Legal issues forced Halo introduction – Horner
Aug.9 (GMM) Mercedes backed the FIA into a corner over the issue of cockpit protection in F1. That is the view of Red Bull chief Christian Horner, who is no advocate of the governing body’s decision to mandate the controversial ‘Halo’ solution for 2018. A debate is raging about whether ‘Halo’ is good or bad […]
F1 ‘at crossroads’ over future engine – Horner
Aug.9 (GMM) The swarms of carmakers flocking to Formula E is a chance for F1 to think about going back to the future with its next engine. That is the view of Red Bull boss Christian Horner, as the sport looks to move on from the controversial ‘power unit’ era post 2020. Talks about the […]
Stroll and father join F1 ‘silly season’
Aug.8 (GMM) Lance Stroll could be a surprise protagonist in this year’s F1 ‘silly season’. The specialist Italiaracing publication is reporting that the Williams driver’s father, billionaire fashion mogul Lawrence Stroll, is being linked with Force India. Force India, whose co-owners Vijay Mallya and Subrata Roy are both tackling serious legal issues, is considering dropping […]
New F1 engine to be ‘better’ – Carey
Aug.8 (GMM) New F1 CEO Chase Carey has revealed that a new engine, cost cuts, and fairer income distribution should lead to better racing in the future. Currently, the American says he is enjoying the Mercedes versus Ferrari battle at the front, but he said other teams should also be in the hunt to win. […]
McLaren wants to keep Vandoorne, Alonso
Aug.8 (GMM) McLaren has confirmed claims it intends to line up with an unchanged driver lineup for 2018. After setting blistering times in the post-Hungary test, teenager Lando Norris denied he might be a contender to replace Stoffel Vandoorne next year. “I think McLaren is trying to keep the current lineup”, he said, referring also […]
Porsche not denying future F1 foray
Aug.8 (GMM) Porsche is not denying that a “high efficiency engine” already under development could become the basis of a F1 project. The German sports car maker shocked the world of motor sport recently by announcing that it is leaving the top Le Mans category LMP1. However, Porsche’s entire Le Mans team is being kept […]
Carey wants title showdown in Abu Dhabi
Aug.7 (GMM) Chase Carey says he does not have a personal favourite for the 2017 title. While Lewis Hamilton is the superstar and Sebastian Vettel does not even have social media accounts, F1’s new CEO told Auto Bild he is more than happy the duo are fighting it out for championship spoils. “There is no […]
McLaren wants same drivers in 2018 – Norris
Aug.7 (GMM) Lando Norris has calmed speculation he could be about to burst into formula one. The 17-year-old Briton, who is a McLaren junior driver, staked a claim on future F1 superstardom last week by beating Fernando Alonso’s qualifying time in the post-race test at the Hungaroring. Norris is currently a title contender in European […]
Winning Red Bull will end Verstappen rumours – Horner
Aug.7 (GMM) Speculation about Max Verstappen’s future will calm down once Red Bull gives him a winning car. That is the view of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, when asked by the Dutch publication Formule 1 about constant rumours connecting the 19-year-old with Ferrari. Verstappen is under contract until the end of 2019, and […]
Ferrari form boosts Monza ticket sales
Aug.7 (GMM) Monza is enjoying boosted ticket sales as a direct result of Ferrari’s better performance in 2017. That is the claim of former F1 driver Ivan Capelli, who is now involved in organising the fabled Italian grand prix as the Milan automobile club chief. After a ten-year title drought for Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel is […]
Engine boost helps McLaren relationship – Honda
Aug.7 (GMM) Honda is hoping better performance from its F1 engine will calm the troubled waters between the Japanese manufacturer and McLaren. As the sport reaches its mid-season August break, rumours of a split in the works Anglo-Japanese collaboration are still circulating. Indeed, a deal between Sauber and Honda for 2018 has already been cancelled. […]
Bottas has no ‘plan B’ for 2018
Aug.7 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has admitted he does not have a ‘plan B’ in the event Mercedes does not re-sign him for 2018. While the Finn only has a single-year contract at present, it is expected that the German team will agree a new deal with the 27-year-old by September. Indeed, Bottas thinks he has […]
Vettel wants one-year Ferrari extension
Aug.7 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s future might not be as clear as recent media reports suggest. Italian sources report that Ferrari is preparing to confirm Vettel alongside Kimi Raikkonen for 2018 at Monza next month, with president Sergio Marchionne admitting a deal “may be close”. But Finland’s Ilta Sanomat newspaper now cites sources in saying Ferrari […]