Oct.31 (GMM) Sauber has reportedly decided to drop Pascal Wehrlein from its 2018 driver lineup. Earlier, amid rumours the Swiss team wanted to keep at least one of its existing drivers next year, it appeared it could be Marcus Ericsson that is shown the door. But the Swede has strong ties to Sauber’s new owners, […]
Month: October 2017
Renault reliability ‘unacceptable’ – Hulkenberg
Oct.31 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says Renault’s lack of reliability has become “unacceptable”. Indeed, it was nothing short of a horror weekend for the French marque in Mexico, with Viry-made power units failing not only at the works team but also customers Red Bull and Toro Rosso. Even the winner, Max Verstappen, was nervous as he […]
Alonso keen to test Renault engine
Oct.31 (GMM) He may have two Honda-powered grands prix still ahead of him, but Fernando Alonso is already looking ahead to next year’s pre-season tests. He hinted to Spain’s Cadena Ser radio that he is relieved McLaren’s Honda era is finally ending, and got a taste of what could be next after duelling with new […]
Hamilton expects ‘easy’ contract talks
Oct.31 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton thinks talks about his next Mercedes contract will be “easy”. Earlier, although the Briton had hinted he wanted to stay a further three years after 2018, team chiefs said Hamilton should instead concentrate on the 2017 title battle. So with his fourth championship now in his pocket, the 32-year-old again appears […]
Williams admits Kvyat in running for 2018 seat
Oct.30 (GMM) Williams has confirmed that Daniil Kvyat could be in the running for a 2018 seat. As the candidates continue to line up, it becomes increasingly clearer that team boss Paddy Lowe has essentially decided that Felipe Massa will not stay. And the Brazilian veteran is increasingly frustrated about that. “I’m totally happy with […]
Briatore backs Liberty’s budget cap
Oct.30 (GMM) Flavio Briatore thinks F1’s new owners Liberty Media are doing the right thing to modernise the sport. Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has told the Italian press he is prepared to “fight” for Maranello’s interests, as rumours gain speed of simpler engines, limited budgets and standardised parts to close the field in the future. […]
Marchionne slams Ecclestone ‘hogwash’
Oct.30 (GMM) Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has hit back at Bernie Ecclestone following the former F1 supremo’s controversial comments of last week. Marchionne said the newly 87-year-old Ecclestone’s claim that Ferrari received help to be more competitive from the former F1 boss, the FIA and even Mercedes is “hogwash”. “I think it’s called pure hogwash,” […]
Hamilton title win ‘very easy’ – Alonso
Oct.30 (GMM) Despite a difficult race in Mexico, Lewis Hamilton cruised to an “easy” championship win in 2017. That is the view of Fernando Alonso, who put up a strong fight against the Briton’s Mercedes on Sunday as Hamilton battled through the pack after a first lap puncture. “I think Lewis now knows how good […]
Force India would release Ocon to Mercedes
Oct.29 (GMM) Force India has acknowledged it may lose Esteban Ocon after 2018. The impressive young Frenchman is staying alongside Sergio Perez next year, but he also remains part of the Mercedes driver programme. And with Valtteri Bottas having struggled at times in the second part of 2017, Mercedes could be looking to replace the […]
Tost, Sainz tip Kvyat to rebuild F1 career
Oct.29 (GMM) Franz Tost and Carlos Sainz have tipped Daniil Kvyat to bounce back from his axe from the Red Bull programme. The young Russian quickly scaled the peak of the energy drink company’s infamous junior programme, but has now joined the scores of others who were ultimately ousted. In contrast, his former teammate Carlos […]
Hamilton ‘best possible ambassador’ for F1 – Carey
Oct.29 (GMM) Chase Carey says he is delighted with the likely outcome of Sunday’s Mexican grand prix. Although Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel could win from pole, it is Mercedes’ Hamilton who is almost guaranteed his fourth career drivers’ title. “He is the best ambassador one can wish for in formula one,” Carey, the new F1 chief […]
Wolff says Ecclestone collusion claims ‘nonsense’
Oct.29 (GMM) Toto Wolff has described as “nonsense” claims that Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA and Mercedes have helped Ferrari to be more competitive. The claims were made this week by none other than former F1 supremo Ecclestone himself, who said all parties benefit from a Ferrari team that is at the front. Christian Horner, the […]
Unwell Magnussen will qualify in Mexico – Steiner
Oct.28 (GMM) Haas boss Gunther Steiner says Kevin Magnussen will be well enough to qualify for the Mexican grand prix on Saturday. On Friday, the FIA excused the Danish driver from the mandatory driver briefing due to a “medical condition”. It is believed Magnussen is unwell with a stomach complaint and must be cleared by […]
Verstappen ‘not worried’ about Red Bull engine future
Oct.28 (GMM) Max Verstappen insists he is “not worried” about Red Bull’s current engine situation. As it stands, Renault is standing by its 2018 commitment to the energy drink owned team, but not promising to supply a power unit beyond that. So it was a surprise in the paddock when Verstappen signed on for three […]
Ecclestone says FIA helped Ferrari to win
Oct.28 (GMM) Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has admitted he, the FIA and rival teams would often “help” Ferrari to be more successful in formula one. “F1 is Ferrari, and Ferrari is F1,” the Briton, who turns 87 on Saturday, told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. After the Austin stewards controversy, Max Verstappen’s father Jos […]
Ricciardo in no rush to decide future
Oct.28 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says he is calm despite the fact F1’s top three teams appear to have set their direction in terms of drivers for the future. In Austin, the Australian was surprised to learn that Red Bull has locked down F1 sensation Max Verstappen until the end of 2020. So with Lewis Hamilton […]
Gasly, Hartley not guaranteed 2018 seats
Oct.28 (GMM) Toro Rosso looks set to head into the 2018 season with the driver lineup seen at this weekend’s Mexican grand prix. For the first time in Mexico, Pierre Gasly is lining up alongside new Red Bull re-recruit Brendon Hartley. “Both are Red Bull drivers, both are high skilled drivers and we want to […]
Sauber not ready to name 2018 drivers
Oct.28 (GMM) Boss Frederic Vasseur is refusing to say who will drive for Sauber in 2018. According to some, the Swiss team could do a clean sweep and oust both Pascal Wehrlein and Marcus Ericsson. A frontrunner appears to be Charles Leclerc, the GP3 and now Formula 2 champion who is strongly backed by Sauber […]
Four candidates to replace Massa in 2018
Oct.28 (GMM) Including an increasingly impatient Felipe Massa, there are now five serious candidates to be Lance Stroll’s 2018 teammate at Williams. It is believed team co-owner Paddy Lowe in particular is determined to choose between Robert Kubica, Paul di Resta, Pascal Wehrlein and now Daniil Kvyat to replace Brazilian veteran Massa. The newest candidate […]
Alonso not denying Daytona could be Le Mans prelude
Oct.27 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has not denied that his prototype sports car debut next January could be a precursor to also racing at Le Mans in 2018. The Spaniard will drive the LMP2 prototype fielded by McLaren boss Zak Brown’s United Autosports team in the Daytona 24 hour. Asked if that is good preparation for […]