Sep.2 (GMM) Hockenheim chief Georg Seiler says no deal has been done to guarantee the future of the German grand prix for 2017. A draft calendar for next year is now doing the rounds in the paddock, featuring a German race date — even though the Nurburgring is financially unable to meet its contractual obligation […]
Month: September 2016
Whiting in talks to join F1 team – report
Sep.2 (GMM) Charlie Whiting may be looking for another job in F1. That F1’s long-serving top FIA race director and starter is in talks with a couple of teams could fire a major controversy, according to Germany’s Auto Bild. The report said Briton Whiting, 64, held talks with various teams last weekend at Spa. Whiting’s […]
Williams return for Button unlikely – source
Sep.2 (GMM) A seat may only have just become officially available, but Jenson Button may have missed the boat to switch to Williams for 2017. The 36-year-old driver and McLaren supremo Ron Dennis have said they will get together at Monza to discuss the future, amid strong speculation the Woking team will replace Button with […]
Massa to retire, Magnussen to race
Sep.1 (GMM) Felipe Massa has announced his retirement from formula one. The news was revealed during a press conference organised by his current team, Williams, at Monza ahead of the Italian grand prix. Brazilian Massa, 35, debuted for Sauber in 2002 and won 11 grands prix for Ferrari. “Every team I have been a part […]
Pizzonia’s top speed F1 record could tumble
Sep.1 (GMM) A 12-year F1 record might finally tumble at Monza this weekend. In 2004, it was Antonio Pizzonia who set the sport’s current top-speed record in a BMW-Williams, as he blasted down the long straight at 369.9kph through the official speed trap. That was with a 1000hp V10 screaming at 21,000rpm, but some believe […]
Vettel not committing whole career to Ferrari
Sep.1 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is relieved Monza looks to be back on track with a new three-year F1 race deal. “I could never imagine F1 without Monza,” he told Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper. “It would be a nightmare. “I can’t wait to be back on track with all those fans, the passion, the banners, […]
F1’s ‘second thoughts’ over Euro exodus – Monza
Sep.1 (GMM) Italian grand prix chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani thinks a shift back to Europe could be occurring in F1. After a long period of uncertainty, Monza and Bernie Ecclestone appear ready to sign on the dotted line of a new three-year contract from 2017. “In the next hours, lawyers will exchange the latest considerations […]
Honda eyes new technology for 2017
Sep.1 (GMM) Honda has indicated it could follow the technological lead of F1’s other ‘power unit’ makers. McLaren’s Japanese works partner has made great strides in 2016, but the Honda unit is now the only one in pitlane not using so-called “pre-combustion chamber” or TJI technology. Spain’s AS sports newspaper said the technology has been […]
RTL flags new TV deal for Germany
Sep.1 (GMM) German free-to-air broadcaster RTL is considering extending its F1 television deal yet again. Last year, after a period of uncertainty, German fans breathed a sigh of relief when RTL confirmed a new deal with Bernie Eccleston had been reached. RTL had been re-considering its deal for financial reasons, amid dwindling spectator interest in […]
Massa could turn to Brazil’s stock car – report
Sep.1 (GMM) Felipe Massa could find himself out of F1 and in Brazil’s national stock car series in 2017. That is the view of Brazilian journalist Flavio Gomes, who thinks 2016 has so far been “the worst season for Felipe at Williams” since he joined the team from Ferrari in 2014. Williams has reportedly re-signed […]
Teams could reject new Pirelli tyre – report
Sep.1 (GMM) Pirelli’s plans to introduce a new construction for its tyres in 2016 could be rejected by the teams. The new construction, tested with the ‘soft’ compound in practice recently, is reportedly stronger in the sidewall to better protect against kerb damage. But a mid-season introduction must be accepted by all the teams, and […]
Marko denies Gasly to oust Kvyat
Sep.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has slammed rumours Pierre Gasly is on the cusp of beginning his F1 adventure. The 20-year-old Frenchman is next in line in Red Bull’s young driver programme, but he arguably underperformed in the first half of the GP2 season this year. But he then won three races recently, at Silverstone, […]