Jun.29 (GMM) Red Bull has not ruled out quitting formula one. That is the warning of the energy drink company’s Dr Helmut Marko, after mogul Dietrich Mateschitz issued the threat at his own Austrian grand prix recently. “The decision will be made before the summer break,” Speed Week now quotes Marko as saying. It had […]
Month: June 2015
Button says Honda ‘committed’ to F1
Jun.29 (GMM) Jenson Button says Honda is “committed” to McLaren and formula one. The nightmarish extent of the Japanese carmaker’s return to F1 this year was unexpected, but McLaren driver Button says Honda remains focused on the project. “Honda are massively committed,” said the 2009 world champion. That is despite the fact the Honda Motor […]
‘Ferrari should threaten to quit over Monza exit’
Jun.29 (GMM) Ferrari should threaten to quit F1 in order to save the embattled Italian grand prix. That is the view of the regional Lombardy president Roberto Maroni, as the uncertainty over Monza’s annual place on the calendar continues for now. He is quoted by Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport: “(Bernie) Ecclestone must realise that […]
Rosberg working to keep up top form
Jun.29 (GMM) Nico Rosberg is charging to maintain his fresh run of top form. After winning in Austria, the German quickly returned to the wheel of the Mercedes in the post-race test at the same Red Bull Ring. Derek Warwick, president of the Silverstone owner the British Racing Drivers’ Club, told Sky he cannot understand […]
Arrivabene comments on Monza, Raikkonen rumours
Jun.26 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene has thrown Ferrari’s voice behind the plight of Monza. In recent days, it has been said the historic Autodromo’s best chance of hanging onto the Italian grand prix might be to annually alternate with another venue, like Imola. And it is quietly rumoured that Ferrari would not mind if its own […]
Ecclestone backs Horner to survive rumours
Jun.26 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has thrown his weight behind Red Bull’s embattled chief Christian Horner. Briton Horner, as well as team official Dr Helmut Marko, have this week been moved to rubbish speculation that Horner, 41, faces expulsion at the hands of Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz. “I spoke to Dietrich at length in Austria,” […]
Ecclestone doubts Fitzpatrick will fund Manor
Jun.26 (GMM) Almost halfway through 2015, Manor may not be out of the woods yet. At the end of the ‘Marussia’ chapter, the team was so close to collapse that its Banbury factory was sold to the new 2016 entrant, Haas. At the eleventh hour, however, a saviour emerged in the form of Stephen Fitzpatrick, […]
Bottas not ruling out staying at Williams
Jun.26 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas is not ruling out staying with Williams in 2016. His comments come amid swirling speculation about the highly-rated young Finn’ future, with Germany’s Bild reporting this week that Ferrari is already beginning to wave its chequebook. Asked by Sport Bild correspondent Bianca Garloff if he feels ‘strong enough’ to take on […]
Ecclestone says he and Todt could impose change
Jun.26 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says he could step in now and fix formula one’s problems, so long as FIA president Jean Todt is also on board. As the sport’s apparent crisis deepens, played out daily in the form of never-ending negative headlines, some are even now calling for F1 supremo Ecclestone’s scalp. “I think he’s […]
Racers cautious ahead of ‘B’ Force India debut
Jun.26 (GMM) Force India’s race regulars are playing down expectations ahead of the long-awaited ‘B’ car’s debut at Silverstone. Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez have been impatiently waiting for the upgraded car all season so far, after the team’s troubled winter left them at the wheel of the compromised 2015 machine. Armed with the Mercedes […]
Rosberg can beat Hamilton to title – Coulthard
Jun.25 (GMM) Nico Rosberg is right back in the running for the 2015 title. That is the view of former F1 driver turned broadcaster David Coulthard, following the German driver’s emphatic win in Austria. “I did not doubt for one second that Nico can beat Lewis (Hamilton),” he told Sport Bild. Hamilton, the reigning world […]
2015 struggle might hurt 2016 ‘soon’ – Boullier
Jun.25 (GMM) McLaren-Honda’s continuing struggles might soon begin to also affect the 2016 campaign. That is the blunt admission of Eric Boullier, following yet another disastrous weekend for the new Anglo-Japanese collaboration in Austria. “I would not say that our difficulties have already impacted the coming season,” he is quoted in international media reports including […]
Takeover could ‘make things happen’ in F1
Jun.25 (GMM) Amid an intense period of turmoil and introspection in F1, the debate this week has turned to whether an American billionaire can save the sport. The latest alarming quote has come from Martin Whitmarsh, the former long-time McLaren chief who thinks the pinnacle of motor sport will “crash and burn”. But Mario Andretti, […]
Renault-Lotus buyout rumours resurface again
Jun.25 (GMM) Speculation Renault is close to buying back the Enstone based team will not go away. The persistent rumour is now being reported by Germany’s Bild newspaper, which claims the French carmaker is set to make a “concrete offer” to the team now called Lotus “in the coming weeks”. Bild said quadruple world champion […]
Williams, Bottas quiet amid Ferrari rumours
Jun.25 (GMM) Williams and Valtteri Bottas are quiet in the face of mounting speculation about the Finn’s future. Germany’s Bild newspaper reported this week that Ferrari is offering Williams EUR 4 million to buy Bottas out of his 2016 contract with the British team. Contacted by Brazil’s Globo, Grove based Williams said it “never” comments […]
F1 grid ‘still has characters’ – Wolff
Jun.25 (GMM) As F1 chiefs ponder the sport’s biggest problems, Toto Wolff has admitted the issue of ‘characters’ is a recurring one. Some would argue that – recalling legends like Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Gerhard Berger and countless others – none of the current crop of drivers even come close. “When I was younger, I […]
Italian chief ‘not fond’ of Imola plans
Jun.24 (GMM) The president of Italy’s auto racing federation says he wants Monza to keep its annual place on the formula one calendar. The comments of Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) chief Angelo Sticci Damiani follow Bernie Ecclestone’s claim that former San Marino grand prix venue Imola could step in so that financially-troubled Monza only has […]
Ecclestone admits CVC could sell F1
Jun.24 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has admitted it is possible F1 owner CVC will sell the sport. The Financial Times and Reuters are reporting that a company headed by American football club Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, and backed by Qatar’s sports investment arm, is preparing to launch a $8 billion takeover bid. “My shares will […]
Red Bull’s Marko slams Horner exit rumours
Jun.24 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has slammed rumours Red Bull is set to oust its F1 team boss Christian Horner. Briton Horner has already dismissed the rumours about him being replaced by F1 legend Gerhard Berger, insisting he has a “long contract” and a good relationship with Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz. And now Marko, […]
Merhi admits still looking for sponsor
Jun.24 (GMM) As the mid-point of the 2015 season approaches, Roberto Merhi has clung onto his Manor seat so far. The rookie Spaniard’s place has been under a cloud all year, as the former Marussia team left the back door open for a driver who can bring more funding. But it emerges that Merhi, 24, […]