Feb.15 (GMM) Gene Haas has defended the boss of his F1 team following a recent controversy. American drivers from other series hit out at Gunther Steiner after he said Haas does not have a US-born driver because there are none that are ready for F1. “Complete BS,” Indycar driver Graham Rahal said. So as Haas […]
Month: February 2018
Fans must accept some changes – Chase Carey
Feb.14 (GMM) Chase Carey has hit back at criticism of the changes being made to formula one. Liberty Media has been slammed in recent days and weeks by some fans who believe the sport’s new owners are changing too much. For instance, the controversial Halo is arriving this year, grid girls have been banned, the […]
Williams sponsor denies Sirotkin link
Feb.14 (GMM) A new Williams sponsor says the deal with the British team is not connected with the arrival of Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin. Earlier, Russian software company Acronis backed Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso, but that money is now moving over to Williams. But Acronis boss Serguei Beloussov insisted: “We started negotiating with Williams […]
Azerbaijan says current F1 deal ‘unacceptable’
Feb.13 (GMM) The Azerbaijan government is not sure it will agree to a new race deal with F1 chiefs. Baku hosted its first race on the historic city streets in 2016, with the contract having been negotiated with the now former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Now, sports minister Azad Rahimov is planning to stage talks […]
Alonso has ‘total’ faith in Renault engine
Feb.13 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he has “total” confidence that he will win in 2018. After three bad years with Honda power, McLaren is now switching to customer Renault engines. Spaniard Alonso won his titles with works Renault power over a decade ago, and so he said the French marque will be able to fix […]
Ricciardo wants Melbourne podium
Feb.13 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says he wants to be on the podium as soon as the very first race of 2018. In previous years, Adrian Newey’s new Red Bull was unveiled as late as possible. But after the early struggle of last season, the team changed tack for 2018 and will now be among the […]
German GP boss says grid kids ‘a nice idea’
Feb.12 (GMM) A German grand prix boss says he is not opposed to the ‘grid kids’ idea. Controversially, new F1 owner Liberty Media has banned grid girls, replacing them with children for 2018. “We were informed in advance that a change is planned,” Jorn Teske, marketing boss at Hockenheim, told Bild newspaper. “We do not […]
Briatore sentenced to jail for tax fraud
Feb.12 (GMM) An Italian court has imposed an 18 month prison sentence on former Renault boss Flavio Briatore. Two years ago, the flamboyant Italian was convicted over a case surrounding tax evasion relating to his luxury yacht Force Blue. Now, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that with the prosecution pushing for a 4 year jail […]
Drivers slam Fuji date change for Alonso
Feb.12 (GMM) Other drivers have hit out at a calendar tweak that means Fernando Alonso can now contest the full sports car world championship in 2018. Earlier, the McLaren driver looked set to skip the Fuji round of the world endurance series due to a clash with a grand prix. But series organisers have now […]
Carey crosses fingers for Alonso in 2018
Feb.12 (GMM) Chase Carey says he has his fingers crossed for Fernando Alonso in 2018. Spaniard Alonso has struggled with Honda power for the last three years, but now McLaren is switching to Renault customer engines. “We hope they find a new energy with the Renault engine,” F1 chief executive Carey told Corriere della Sera […]
Bottas happy if Hamilton stays at Mercedes
Feb.12 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he intends to argue for a 2019 contract at Mercedes by winning races this year. The Finn has been signed up by Mercedes only for one more season, as potential replacements including Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon express interest. But Bottas told Finnish media he intends to step up in […]
Verstappen not ruling out title bid
Feb.9 (GMM) Max Verstappen is not ruling out taking a shot at the world championship in 2018. Many are predicting a revival of the Mercedes-Ferrari duel this year, but Red Bull is notably bullish. “We are ready for 2018,” Dr Helmut Marko told Sport Bild. “In past years we had technical problems at the beginning […]
McLaren hopes to ‘influence’ Renault engine
Feb.9 (GMM) McLaren’s aerodynamics boss has tipped the British team to have a successful relationship with Renault. This week, Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul warned that, as a customer, McLaren will not be able to influence the development direction of the engine for now. But Peter Prodromou knows what life as a Renault customer is like, […]
Piquet tips Alonso to be Le Mans champion
Feb.9 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s former teammate thinks the Spaniard will win Le Mans this year. Last year Alonso came close to winning the Indy 500, and this year he will try his hand at another leg of the elusive ‘triple crown’ – the Le Mans 24 hours. Ten years ago, the Spaniard was paired at […]
Alonso could do Indy 500 again in 2019
Feb.9 (GMM) Fernando Alonso could return to the Indy 500 in 2019. But Zak Brown, his boss at McLaren, played down the chances the British team might follow Alonso to America with a fully fledged Indycar effort. “He wants to return and maybe he will do it in 2019,” Brown is quoted by Spain’s AS […]
McLaren would welcome Hamilton back
Feb.9 (GMM) Zak Brown says McLaren would welcome Lewis Hamilton back to the British team. Hamilton, yet to agree a new deal with Mercedes beyond this year, started his career at McLaren and won the title in 2008. “There isn’t a team in the pitlane that wouldn’t be interested in having Lewis drive for them, […]
Grid girl ban ‘step backwards’ – Hulkenberg
Feb.9 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has joined the chorus of those who do not agree that banning grid girls is a step forwards for F1. In fact, the works Renault driver said it is a “further step backwards for the show”. “Some hot girls in front of the cars is only good for that whole side […]
Carey hits back after Formula E comments
Feb.9 (GMM) Chase Carey has hit back at his Formula E counterpart, insisting that F1 will remain the pinnacle of motor sport. Formula E chief Alejandro Agag said recently he thinks the all-electric series will take over from formula one within a decade or two. “I’m glad he has a crystal ball,” F1 chief executive […]
F1 will still feature ‘pretty girls’ – Carey
Feb.9 (GMM) Chase Carey has revealed he was not opposed to the concept of F1 ‘grid girls’. The sport’s new owner Liberty Media has been widely criticised for ending the decades-long tradition. “I think the reaction was what we expected,” F1 chief executive Carey told multiple media outlets. “Actually if you just left it up […]
Grid girl ban ‘a shame’ – Gasly
Feb.8 (GMM) Pierre Gasly has added yet another voice to concerns about F1’s ‘grid girls’ ban. France’s Auto Hebdo jokingly asked the Toro Rosso driver if there is a connection between the 2018 ban and the fact that Gasly is making his full-time F1 debut this year. “It’s not my fault!” he laughed. “Personally, I […]