Sep.2 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton does not think his teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg has taken a step backwards in 2015. Just like last year, the pair are still duelling effectively alone at the top of the standings for the drivers’ title. But many believe Hamilton, the reigning champion and current championship leader, has a […]
Month: September 2015
Monza rescue talks to hit highest gear
Sep.2 (GMM) Talks to secure Monza’s future on the F1 calendar will step into a high gear this weekend. Bernie Ecclestone has warned that unless a new deal is agreed, the historic circuit will fall off the schedule. So Roberto Maroni, the regional Lombardy president, resorted to humour this week when he was asked about […]
Michelin remains open to Pirelli tyre war
Sep.2 (GMM) Michelin remains open to going wheel-to-wheel with Pirelli in 2017. Currently, Bernie Ecclestone is in talks with the tyre manufacturers regarding which of them will be F1’s sole supplier beyond Pirelli’s 2016 deal. But after the tyre blowout controversy following the recent Belgian grand prix, Michelin is applying the pressure. “We know Spa […]
Hulkenberg set to keep Porsche seat for 2016
Sep.2 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg looks set to defend his title as Le Mans winner at next year’s edition of the fabled 24 hour sports car race. Splitting his time between his Force India and Porsche cockpits this year, the German won on debut in the premier class of arguably the world’s most famous motor race. […]
Pirelli to say debris caused Vettel blowout – report
Sep.1 (GMM) Pirelli could be set to announce that debris on the track caused Sebastian Vettel’s tyre blowout at Spa-Francorchamps. In the incident that sparked an expletive-filled post-race rant, F1’s controversial tyre supplier argued initially that excessive wear caused by Ferrari’s ambitious one-stop strategy was the cause of the failure. But earlier in the weekend, […]
Verstappen backs Pirelli over Vettel blowout
Sep.1 (GMM) Father and son Jos and Max Verstappen have sided with Pirelli over the tyre blowout saga. While F1’s official supplier has said Ferrari took too big a risk with an ambitious one-stop strategy at Spa-Francorchamps, Sebastian Vettel lashed out angrily at the quality of Pirelli’s tyres. But Toro Rosso driver Max told Austrian […]
Ecclestone paid Lotus staff wages – report
Sep.1 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone reportedly paid the wages of embattled Lotus’ 400 staff in August. The news, revealed by Britain’s Times newspaper, comes after the Enstone team’s equipment – including the black and gold cars – were prevented from leaving Spa-Francorchamps by court bailiffs after the recent Belgian grand prix. Correspondent Kevin Eason says the […]
Father says Verstappen ‘staying’ at Toro Rosso
Sep.1 (GMM) Max Verstappen is staying put at Toro Rosso for 2016, his father has announced. “He’s staying for another year at Toro Rosso,” Jos Verstappen, once a teammate to the great Michael Schumacher in the mid 90s, told Austrian television Servus TV. Earlier, 17-year-old rookie sensation Max was linked with a move to Ferrari, […]
Hartstein continues attack on F1 doctor
Sep.1 (GMM) Former F1 doctor Gary Hartstein has continued his attack on his successor, Jean-Charles Piette. Following the death of Jules Bianchi, Hartstein hit out at F1 drivers who are accepting the current situation, with Piette the medical delegate and the “even more clueless” Gerard Saillant running the FIA’s medical commission. He said Piette was […]
Force India signs Hulkenberg for 2016, 2017
Sep.1 (GMM) As reported on Monday, Nico Hulkenberg is staying with Force India. The Silverstone based team announced on Tuesday that the German has signed up for 2016 and 2017. 2015 Le Mans winner Hulkenberg, 28, had been linked with a move to Haas or Lotus, but said: “I know this team inside out and […]
Designer says Ferrari should have kept Alonso
Sep.1 (GMM) Ferrari should have kept Fernando Alonso, according to departed designer Nikolas Tombazis. At the end of last year, in a wide-ranging team shakeup, the fabled Maranello marque ousted not only Tombazis but also the British engineer Pat Fry. But Tombazis, who claims he is now shaping up to return to F1, told Italy’s […]
Gutierrez hints future taking shape
Sep.1 (GMM) Esteban Gutierrez could be close to announcing his plans for 2016. This year, after the Mexican lost his Sauber race seat, he signed up to be Ferrari’s reserve driver. And now it is reported the 24-year-old’s next step could be to the new Ferrari-linked American entrant Haas, backed by his powerful Mexican sponsors. […]