May 28 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says one of the best things about Monaco GP race day was watching the Indy 500 afterwards. The Spaniard therefore joined the ranks of people critical of the questionable spectacle of Sunday’s race in the Principality. “At least it (watching the Indy 500) was fun, especially because the people who […]
Month: May 2018
Verstappen takes ‘hard lesson’ from Monaco
May 28 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he will take the “hard lessons” on board from Monaco and other races so far in 2018. The young Dutchman had a horror Monaco, missing qualifying after a crash, receiving widespread criticism and then watching his teammate Daniel Ricciardo celebrate the pole and win. “These are painful moments,” Verstappen […]
Former F1 driver loses interest in sport
May 28 (GMM) One former F1 driver has counted himself out of those who call themselves fans of the sport. Over a decade ago, Sergey Zlobin became the first Russian test driver in F1 with a role at Minardi. But now he tells Russia’s Sport-Express that he doesn’t even watch formula one on TV. “I […]
Ocon hints at Mercedes ‘team orders’
May 28 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has hinted team orders may be in place between Force India and Mercedes. After the Monaco grand prix, a reporter for Sky Italia asked Force India driver Ocon if he “made life too easy” when works Mercedes driver Hamilton passed him in the race. “I’m a Mercedes driver,” Ocon, a […]
Red Bull ‘a good place’ for Ricciardo – Hamilton
May 28 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton thinks Monaco winner Daniel Ricciardo should consider staying at Red Bull. Just as his current contract is set to run out, Australian Ricciardo is riding high and linked with potential moves to Ferrari or Mercedes. “I chatted with him today,” Hamilton said after Monaco. “I told him he’s doing a […]
Monaco should change F1 circuit – Hamilton
May 28 (GMM) World champion Lewis Hamilton thinks Monaco should think about tweaking its iconic F1 street circuit. Many drivers agreed after Sunday’s race in the Principality that the race was not exciting. “If I was bored I don’t want to image the fans at home watching the race,” said Force India driver Sergio Perez. […]
F1 race promoters want lower fees – Wolff
May 27 (GMM) Toto Wolff says it is clear F1 race promoters want to renegotiate their contracts with the sport. Many promoters who negotiated their agreements and fees with now-ousted F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone are now seeking better terms under the Liberty Media regime. In Monaco, Liberty met with the race promoters. Baku, Russia, Abu […]
Renault frustrated as Red Bull delays engine decision
May 27 (GMM) Renault is now pressing hard for Red Bull to make a decision about its engine supplier for 2019. Although long-term partners, the relationship has been fraught for years and Red Bull is now considering a switch to Honda power. Renault has been pressing Red Bull to make a decision in May, but […]
Vandoorne only needs more time to shine – Wolff
May 27 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne only needs time to find his feet in formula one. That is the view of Toto Wolff, responding to those like 1996 world champion Damon Hill who think Belgian Vandoorne has so far failed to “get people to say ‘Wow’.” And Vandoorne’s Belgian compatriot Thierry Boutson said: “I’m his biggest […]
Bottas’ agent not commenting on 2019 contract rumour
May 27 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas’ agent has refused to comment on speculation the Finn has now agreed a new contract beyond 2018. There have been rumours Mercedes might replace him with Daniel Ricciardo or Esteban Ocon, but Finland’s Ilta Sanomat believes Bottas will definitely stay in 2019. Citing a source, the newspaper said it believes […]
Verstappen needs new ‘brain’ – Lauda
May 27 (GMM) F1 experts say Max Verstappen needs a change of approach if he is to succeed. The Dutchman missed qualifying at Monaco after a practice crash — yet another crucial mistake in 2018. “His talent is envied by every driver,” former F1 driver Felipe Massa said in Monaco. “But he needs to act […]
Mercedes set to accept 2021 engine rules
May 27 (GMM) Mercedes and other engine manufacturers look set to reluctantly accept the proposed rules for 2021. Earlier, it was believed both Mercedes and Ferrari were threatening to quit if the current ‘power unit’ regulations are changed too much. But the FIA and Liberty Media are determined to simplify the rules, primarily by scrapping […]
Legality checks give Ferrari green light
May 27 (GMM) F1 looks set to move on, following a controversy about the questionable legality of Ferrari’s 2018 car. There have been separate questions asked about the legality of Ferrari’s battery and turbocharger setup, but recent checks including in Monaco gave the Maranello team a green light. “At the FIA’s request, Ferrari made changes […]
Raikkonen linked with return to rallying
May 26 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen could leave F1 and return to world rallying next year. That is the claim of the Finnish newspaper Ilta Sanomat, reporting one of the hot rumours from the Monaco paddock. When Raikkonen left F1 for the first time after 2009, he raced in the world rally championship. Now with his […]
FIA boss Todt ‘neglects F1’ – Ecclestone
May 26 (GMM) Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has lashed out at Jean Todt. Ousted by Liberty Media at the beginning of last year, the 87-year-old admitted to being “worried about the future” of the sport he essentially created. And it’s not just Liberty that concerns him. “(FIA president) Jean Todt is very busy with […]
F1 future still taking shape in Monaco
May 26 (GMM) F1’s future for 2021 and beyond continues to take shape. Talks so far have been controversial, with Ferrari and perhaps even Mercedes threatening to quit over the budget cap, income distribution and engine regulation plans. On ‘rest day’ Friday in Monaco, another key meeting involving Chase Carey, Ross Brawn, Jean Todt and […]
Alonso to Indycar rumour emerges
May 26 (GMM) The next rumour regarding Fernando Alonso’s future has emerged in the Monaco paddock. Earlier, with McLaren’s Zak Brown saying he wants to keep the Spaniard, it emerged that Alonso and Flavio Briatore met with Ferrari officials. But Speed Week now reports that McLaren is considering entering Indycar full time. Another rumour in […]
Baku boss says Miami won’t replace race
May 25 (GMM) Baku race chief Arif Rahimov has denied rumours it might lose its spot on the 2019 calendar to make way for Miami. There have also been rumours Azerbaijan might consider getting out of its current contract. But Rahimov insists that Baku is firmly on the calendar. “We have a contract until 2020,” […]
Pirelli considers name changes for F1 tyres
May 25 (GMM) Pirelli has admitted it could change the way its F1 tyres are named. Currently, the Italian company supplies three out of six available compounds at each grand prix – ‘hard’, ‘medium’, ‘soft’, ‘supersoft’, ‘ultrasoft’ or ‘hypersoft’. They are colour-coded, but some believe the naming system is too complicated. “The FIA and FOM […]
Force India buyout deal ‘is done’ – source
May 25 (GMM) A takeover of the Force India team is still in the works. Earlier, the Silverstone based team considered a name change for 2018, amid rumours a consortium led by British energy drink Rich Energy was in talks. But according to Euronews, the deal is still on and could be completed within weeks. […]