Aug.31 (GMM) Team boss Gunther Steiner has admitted that Esteban Ocon might be a contender for a seat at Haas next year. Earlier, it appeared that Romain Grosjean would be ousted and replaced by Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc for 2019. But it suddenly appears as though Ocon, a Renault-championed Frenchman who appears set to lose […]
Month: August 2018
Sauber closes 2019 door to Vandoorne
Aug.31 (GMM) Another door appears to have closed to Stoffel Vandoorne. It seems increasingly likely that the Belgian will be ousted by McLaren — perhaps even as soon as after Sunday’s Italian grand prix at Monza. He had a horror weekend at Monza and afterwards blamed the McLaren car. When asked if it is frustrating […]
Perez plays down McLaren speculation
Aug.31 (GMM) Sergio Perez has played down speculation linking him with McLaren for 2019. Earlier, it seemed clear that the Mexican, having participated in the legal moves that triggered the Lawrence Stroll takeover, was definitely staying at Force India. But now, rumours are linking him with becoming Carlos Sainz’s teammate at McLaren next year. Asked […]
Halo critics unmoved after Leclerc crash
Aug.31 (GMM) Two fierce critics of the ‘Halo’ system are not backing down, even after the Charles Leclerc incident at Spa. After the incident involving Fernando Alonso’s flying McLaren, former double world champion Mika Hakkinen said he thinks the controversial cockpit protection saved Leclerc from injury “and maybe even death”. But two Halo critics don’t […]
Alonso has ‘new’ old McLaren at Monza
Aug.31 (GMM) McLaren has cobbled together a ‘new’ chassis for Fernando Alonso to race this weekend at Monza. Just days ago at Spa, the Spaniard’s car climbed over the back of Charles Leclerc’s Sauber, highlighting the role of the controversial Halo device. Alonso said at Monza that the chassis was “destroyed” in the crash. “It […]
Ocon confirms failed McLaren seat fitting
Aug.30 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has admitted he had a seat fitting at McLaren’s Woking factory. Last week, it was rumoured the Frenchman could be ousted by Lance Stroll at Force India, but accommodated with immediate effect at McLaren. However, it is believed the 2018 McLaren could not accommodate his 1.86m height. “It’s true that I […]
Verstappen ‘still no fan’ of Halo
Aug.30 (GMM) Even a scary crash at Spa has not convinced Max Verstappen about the merits of ‘Halo’. At the first corner of the Belgian grand prix, Fernando Alonso’s McLaren leapfrogged over the Sauber of Charles Leclerc. Tyre marks on the Halo convinced many that the controversial safety innovation had saved Leclerc’s life. But Verstappen […]
Raikkonen announcement still unclear
Aug.30 (GMM) It is still not clear if Ferrari is planning a driver announcement for Monza. While some expect the Italian team to confirm Kimi Raikkonen for 2019, Finland’s Turun Sanomat says “reliable sources” report that is not the case. Ferrari spokesman Alberto Antonini would not comment. Earlier, La Gazzetta dello Sport predicted that Raikkonen […]
Perez not judging future teammate Stroll
Aug.30 (GMM) Sergio Perez isn’t sure what to make of Lance Stroll. It is strongly rumoured that, after Sunday’s Italian grand prix, Stroll will make the switch to Force India. The Silverstone based team has just been bought by Stroll’s billionaire father Lawrence. Perez, to be his teammate, isn’t sure what to expect. “It’s difficult […]
Hamilton to skip Thursday at Monza
Aug.30 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton will skip Thursday’s media activities at Monza, Sky Italia reports. The local broadcaster said the world championship leader will only be at the circuit ahead of Friday practice for the Italian grand prix. “In Hungary Ferrari was exempted from Thursday activities, but that was due to the death of president Sergio […]
Mercedes ‘not used to losing’ – Arrivabene
Aug.30 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene says Mercedes is adjusting to the idea of being beaten in formula one. Mercedes has utterly dominated in the ‘power unit’ era, but most insiders now agree that Ferrari has hit the front in 2018. It left Lewis Hamilton wondering after Spa if the Maranello team has a “trick” engine. When […]
Force India fights for $33 million
Aug.30 (GMM) Force India is fighting for its right to keep $33 million in official prize money. Taken over by Lawrence Stroll, the team actually had to become a new entrant as of the Belgian grand prix, which meant the forfeiting of its championship points. But although Haas is not happy, the teams and Liberty […]
Stroll admits ousting Ocon ‘not fair’
Aug.29 (GMM) Lance Stroll admits it will not be “entirely fair” if he takes over Esteban Ocon’s place at Force India. French broadcaster Canal Plus caught a conversation in French between Ocon and Sebastian Vettel at Spa. Ocon, 21, told the Ferrari driver he is losing his seat at Force India because one driver “bought […]
Verstappen’s father questions Ricciardo move
Aug.29 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s father says he is surprised Daniel Ricciardo decided to leave Red Bull. Some believe Ricciardo’s decision to accept an offer to switch to the works Renault outfit was because Red Bull saw the younger Verstappen as the future. But Jos Verstappen rejects that. “I’m 100 per cent sure of it,” he […]
Mick Schumacher showing father’s genes – Berger
Aug.29 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has the ability to tread in his father’s footprints all the way to formula one. That is the view of F1 legend and now DTM boss Gerhard Berger, who says the 19-year-old son of Michael Schumacher is finally finding his stride in Formula 3. His tally of wins in the highly […]
Verstappen admits no Honda title until 2020
Aug.29 (GMM) Max Verstappen is looking forward to Red Bull’s Honda-powered future. A fierce critic of the departing customer Renault engines, the Dutchman acknowledges however that he might need to wait a full year before Red Bull-Honda can charge for a title. “Looking at where they were, Honda has made remarkable strides,” the 20-year-old said. […]
Monza set for F1 contract talks
Aug.29 (GMM) Italian grand prix boss Angelo Sticchi Damiani says Monza wants to “rethink” its contract with Liberty Media. It is believed the F1 rights holder and Hockenheim have agreed new terms for a race in 2019, but a darker cloud still lingers over the future of the Italian grand prix. Talks with Chase Carey […]
F1 agrees new German GP deal – report
Aug.28 (GMM) The German grand prix has been saved, according to the local Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) newspaper. Earlier, with Liberty Media’s plans for a Miami GP next year in tatters, talks about reviving a contract at Hockenheim began. FAZ says a deal has now been done, with Chase Carey agreeing to a lower race […]
FIA to study Halo after Leclerc incident
Aug.28 (GMM) Supporters of the controversial ‘Halo’ safety innovation say a crash at Spa vindicated the decision to introduce it. Tyre marks and damage to the Halo was visible on Charles Leclerc’s Sauber after a scary air-borne crash involving Fernando Alonso last Sunday. Some say the Halo obviously saved the Monaco-born rookie’s life. “I’ve never […]
Mercedes to consider ‘team orders’ after Monza
Aug.28 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Mercedes may soon need to consider imposing ‘team orders’. Lewis Hamilton is still leading the world championship, but the Mercedes driver ended the weekend at Spa wondering if Ferrari has a “trick” engine. Wolff played that down, saying he has “complete trust” in the FIA to enforce the technical rules. […]