Jul.21 (GMM) The new grand prix in Miami looks set to be postponed for a year. Liberty Media wanted the race to take place in 2019, but Auto Motor und Sport claims that after the latest political problems, 2020 may now be the likely start date. The report said the F1 owners are now working […]
Month: July 2018
Still no green light for Miami GP
Jul.20 (GMM) Confirmation that Miami will join the F1 calendar next year will have to wait even longer. It was reported that a meeting in the famous Florida city could mean a green-light by authorities for the street race, but residents are apparently objecting. Mayor Francis Suarez confirmed on Wednesday that a decision has therefore […]
Haas boss denies Kubica rumours
Jul.20 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has rejected speculation Haas might sign up Robert Kubica for 2019. Pole Kubica is the reserve driver at Williams this year, but he makes no secret of his desire to return to the grid after a long absence with his permanent arm injury. “I heard about this rumour ten minutes ago, […]
Drivers reject proposed points system change
Jul.20 (GMM) More F1 drivers have come out in opposition to Liberty Media’s plans to shake up the points system. It is believed a proposal to extend the points-paying positions from the top 10 to the highest fifteen finishers per race is being considered. Fernando Alonso is opposed. “I remember when Jules (Bianchi) finished ninth […]
Red Bull’s title chances dwindling – Verstappen
Jul.20 (GMM) Max Verstappen admits Red Bull has taken a step backwards in its outside bid for the 2018 title. And he says the main reason is not the car, but the Renault engine. “The difference is now greater than it was at the beginning of the season,” said the Dutchman. “In Canada we were […]
Stroll not denying Force India rumours
Jul.20 (GMM) Lance Stroll is being linked with a move to Force India. The Canadian has sounded frustrated with Williams’ situation recently, and his billionaire father Lawrence has been spotted in heated conversations with team bosses. When asked about the Force India rumours at Hockenheim, 19-year-old Stroll answered: “I’m really focused on the race and […]
F1 ponders next moves after Hamilton deal
Jul.20 (GMM) The Hockenheim paddock is buzzing with the news that Lewis Hamilton’s new two-year Mercedes contract has finally been announced. Some publications say the deal is in excess of $50 million per year, but team chairman Niki Lauda said that’s “a joke”. And Hamilton said: “I don’t talk about those details.” Arguably more interesting […]
F1 should be a dictatorship – Berger
Jul.19 (GMM) Formula one needs to return to its days as a dictatorship. That is the view of Gerhard Berger, the F1 legend who is now in charge of the German touring car championship DTM. And he told Bild newspaper that he is watching on with despair at formula one. “Football doesn’t change its rules […]
Horner sure Honda right move for Red Bull
Jul.19 (GMM) Christian Horner remains confident Honda is the right move for Red Bull. The Red Bull boss said that at Silverstone recently, the team was reassured that deciding to split with Renault is right. And he says that moving to full works Honda power for 2019 is not too big a risk for the […]
Salo admits F1 stewards controversy
Jul.19 (GMM) F1 steward Mika Salo has acknowledged the controversy over penalties given to Ferrari drivers in recent races. After Sebastian got a 5 second penalty in France, his teammate Kimi Raikkonen was penalised 10 seconds for a similar first-lap incident at Silverstone. Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat reports that former F1 driver Mika Salo will […]
McLaren, Williams, admit need for change
Jul.19 (GMM) An anonymous engineer says struggling once-great F1 teams Williams and McLaren need to make sweeping changes. Both British teams have enjoyed the highs of the pinnacle of motor racing, but both are now struggling notably in 2018. One engineer who worked for both teams told Auto Motor und Sport: “Both are mature teams […]
F1 eyes 20-year deal for Miami GP
Jul.18 (GMM) Yet another meeting could finally mean the green light for a grand prix in Miami. We have reported that Liberty Media is holding fire on publishing the 2019 calendar because of the extended negotiations about a race in the Florida capital. In May, city planners met to discuss the race, with local media […]
Newspaper links Raikkonen with Sauber return
Jul.17 (GMM) The signs are growing ever stronger that Ferrari will have a new driver in 2019. Kimi Raikkonen admits that it is “up to the team” whether he stays next year. Strong speculation suggests Charles Leclerc has already been signed up until 2020. In turn, the Swiss newspaper Blick reports that Raikkonen could return […]
No regrets about controversial Haas approach – boss
Jul.17 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says he has no regrets about the path taken by controversial American team Haas. As Haas stepped up the grid in 2018 to sit behind the top three teams in outright performance, some drivers raised their eyebrows. “I think there is more than one Ferrari (team) in the race now,” said […]
Claire Williams contemplating ‘difficult decisions’
Jul.17 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin has given more details about his biggest problem with Williams’ 2018 car. While the car is obviously uncompetitive, both the Russian driver and his teammate Lance Stroll have also complained about the seating position. “A think a lot of time has passed now so no one will argue if I tell […]
F1 should be harder on ‘crazy’ drivers
Jul.17 (GMM) Former F1 test driver Daniel Juncadella says F1 should use the stewards to control “crazy” and “aggressive” drivers. Many have complained about the inconsistency of the FIA stewards’ rulings, but Juncadella, who now races in DTM, thinks that inconsistency could have a role to play. “I think past actions should be remembered,” the […]
Red Bull encourages Honda to prepare for 2019
Jul.17 (GMM) Red Bull is encouraging Toro Rosso and Honda to help the senior energy drink-owned team prepare for 2019. Honda already supplies engines to Toro Rosso, the sister Red Bull team. But next year, Red Bull Racing is joining the fold, and the senior outfit wants Toro Rosso to accept the prospect of penalties […]
Tost defends Honda before Red Bull move
Jul.16 (GMM) Franz Tost has defended Honda amid concerns the Japanese manufacturer is not up to the task of powering the senior Red Bull team from 2019. Tost is the team boss at Toro Rosso, the second Red Bull owned team that started using Honda power this year. He told ORF: “I’ve never had problems […]
Father no longer Red Bull scout – Verstappen
Jul.16 (GMM) Max Verstappen says his father Jos no longer works with young Red Bull drivers. Over a year ago, former F1 driver Jos Verstappen started working with the energy drink company to identify and groom young talent in junior categories like karting and F3. But when asked by Austria’s Laola1 if his father is […]
Mercedes still favourite for title – Briatore
Jul.16 (GMM) Flavio Briatore thinks Mercedes is still the favourite for the 2018 world championship. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel has taken an 8 point lead in the drivers’ standings, but former Renault boss Briatore thinks there is more to it than that. “Ferrari only gained the upper hand because Mercedes was unlucky for two races,” he […]