May 22 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has played down any comparisons being made between him and true F1 greats. The Monaco-born driver made his formula one debut this year with Sauber amid suggestions he is set to become a future Michael Schumacher or Ayrton Senna. “Of course it’s a great honour to be associated with those […]
Month: May 2018
F2 driver would refuse Toro Rosso call-up
May 22 (GMM) A Formula 2 driver has counted himself out of speculation about the second Toro Rosso seat. With Brendon Hartley struggling for pace in 2018, rumours suggest Red Bull could entice Pascal Wehrlein out of DTM to replace him at the junior team Toro Rosso. “That’s not the intention at the moment,” Red […]
‘Possible’ Mercedes will quit F1 – Lauda
May 21 (GMM) It is “possible” that Mercedes will quit formula one. That is the warning of F1 legend and team chairman Niki Lauda, as Mercedes now joins Ferrari in threatening to pull out after 2020. The top teams are at loggerheads with Liberty Media over the plans for 2021, featuring different engine rules and […]
Carey eyes Berlin to replace Hockenheim
May 21 (GMM) Chase Carey is eyeing the German capital as a potential replacement for Hockenheim. F1 will race at Hockenheim in July, but circuit boss Georg Seiler is yet to agree a 2019 deal with Liberty Media. “We want to keep traditional races on the calendar,” F1 chief executive Carey told Bild when asked […]
Drivers to be asked about Miami layout – Todt
May 21 (GMM) Drivers will be consulted about the layout of a second US grand prix in Miami. That is the claim of FIA president Jean Todt. Recently, Lewis Hamilton said he was excited about the prospect of a Miami street race next year until he saw the proposed layout. But Todt says that sort […]
Rumours swirl about Grosjean’s future
May 21 (GMM) A rumour is doing the rounds about Romain Grosjean’s future at Haas. The Frenchman has had a horror 2018 season so far, including his crash behind the safety car at Baku and a penalty for causing the Barcelona start pileup. Until now, Haas team boss Gunther Steiner has defended Grosjean. “I’m a […]
Baku wants to renegotiate F1 contract
May 21 (GMM) Baku promoter Arif Rahimov has admitted the race wants to renegotiate its contract with Liberty Media. In recent weeks, rumours have circulated that suggested the Azerbaijanis want to end the ten-year deal negotiated by Bernie Ecclestone. The deal actually includes a mid-point break clause, with the proviso that the promoters announce it […]
Latifi’s father linked with McLaren deal
May 21 (GMM) The father of Force India reserve driver Nicholas Latifi is linked with a major deal at McLaren. Last week, Canadian 22-year-old Latifi tested for Force India in Barcelona. But now AS newspaper is reporting that a rumoured EUR 230 million cash injection at McLaren courtesy of a company called Nyidala is funded […]
Boullier hits back at McLaren axe rumours
May 21 (GMM) Eric Boullier has hit back at suggestions he could be the next to leave McLaren. Recently, designer Tim Goss left the British team, which after the move from Honda to Renault power continued to struggle early in 2018. So when faced with rumours he also may be ousted, team boss Boullier sounded […]
No ‘magic’ to solve Williams problems – Kubica
May 21 (GMM) Williams is plotting a course out of its dire current situation. That is the claim of Robert Kubica, the team’s experienced test driver who got a first-hand taste of the issues recently in Barcelona. “We have a lot to think about and a lot to analyse,” the Pole is quoted by Turun […]
Engine makers plan Canada upgrades
May 21 (GMM) F1 engine manufacturers are planning significant upgrades for the Canadian grand prix. After Monaco this weekend, the sport will be heading to Montreal for round seven — marking the one-third distance in the 21-race 2018 calendar. So with the rules requiring drivers to use no more than three engines in 2018, it […]
Renault could switch focus to 2019 car
May 21 (GMM) After just a few races in 2018, Renault could make the call to switch its focus to the 2019 car. The French carmaker is steadily rebuilding its F1 commitment, and is not targeting a full world championship tilt until at least 2020. “We are currently discussing whether we should reduce the development […]
F1 eyes blue flag axe
May 21 (GMM) F1 is considering abolishing blue flags. The blue flag system was introduced in 1995, requiring lapped drivers to get out of the way of cars on the lead lap. But it is unpopular among many drivers and fans, with some purists thinking passing backmarkers is a fundamental skill. “We know many people […]
Hamilton contract delay triggers new rumours
May 21 (GMM) The delay in the signing of Lewis Hamilton’s new contract is triggering a new round of rumours. Some believe the reigning world champion is making Mercedes “sweat” to exert his power or negotiate more money, while others think he may quit formula one. “He is powerful enough and a precious commodity in […]
Liberty eyes F1 track resurfacing idea
May 21 (GMM) Liberty Media might consider pushing race promoters to resurface their tracks in a bid to spice up formula one. Greg Maffei, the Liberty CEO, told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt that the plan would make F1 “more exciting”. “There are a host of really simple things from when tracks get resurfaced, or […]
F1 must ‘rediscover DNA’ – Abiteboul
May 18 (GMM) Formula one needs to rediscover its “DNA”, according to Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul. The Frenchman says that in recent years, as the popularity of Formula E and the world endurance championship increased, the core message of F1 has become confused. “We can’t just mix it all up,” Abiteboul told Speed Week. “The […]
Pirelli should supply ‘qualifying tyre’ – Ricciardo
May 18 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says it would be better if teams could select even softer tyres at each grand prix. The Red Bull driver said the recent Spanish grand prix was a perfect example of when an even softer compound would have spiced up the action. “I don’t understand why we can’t have the […]
Toro Rosso can win with Honda – Key
May 18 (GMM) Toro Rosso remains happy with its new relationship with Honda. James Key, the junior Red Bull team’s technical boss, said that unlike McLaren in the past three years, Toro Rosso is enjoying working with the Japanese manufacturer. “The honeymoon is long over,” he told Speed Week. “The relationship has already become much […]
Todt hits back at complaining drivers
May 17 (GMM) Jean Todt has hit back at top drivers who say they want more say about the rules in formula one. In Barcelona, Sebastian Vettel called the 2019 rule changes designed to boost overtaking “comical”. “Not to say that we know everything, but we know how the cars feel,” said the Ferrari driver. […]
Selfish Mercedes approved 2019 rules – Marko
May 17 (GMM) Mercedes backed the rule changes for 2019 because it suits them and hurts rivals, Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko claims. Many were surprised when the changes, featuring a completely different front wing that should make overtaking easier, were voted through by teams who traditionally struggle to agree. Auto Motor und Sport […]