Nov.19 (GMM) Alain Prost is expecting Mick Schumacher to step up to Formula 2 in 2019. This year, the son of Prost’s fellow F1 legend Michael Schumacher upped his game to dominate and win the competitive European F3 title. Prior to 19-year-old Schumacher competing in the legendary Macau GP race at the weekend, Prost told […]
Month: November 2018
Prost ‘not unhappy’ Red Bull deal ending
Nov.19 (GMM) Alain Prost says he is not sad that Renault’s long collaboration with Red Bull is finally ending. The two parties achieved much success in formula one, but their collaboration was also fraught at times. “Ultimately we are not unhappy about the end of this partnership, to be honest,” F1 legend and Renault advisor […]
Ticktum, Albon in doubt for Toro Rosso seat
Nov.19 (GMM) A new question mark hangs above the second Toro Rosso cockpit for 2019. Daniil Kvyat has been signed up already, but it is believed Brendon Hartley has been told he is definitely vacating the other seat. Robert Kubica was earlier mentioned as one potential driver, but the Pole said last week: “I will […]
F1 boss Carey visits Rio de Janeiro
Nov.19 (GMM) Rio de Janeiro has emerged as a potential future F1 race host. With Interlagos to be privatised and Liberty Media scrutinising the expiring contract that was negotiated by Bernie Ecclestone, a cloud hangs over the current Brazilian grand prix venue. “We are thinking of replacing a number of existing races with unfavourable contracts […]
Alonso not ruling out F1 return for 2020
Nov.19 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is not ruling out a full-time return to formula one for 2019. Disenchanted with the category, the double world champion is retiring after this weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP and will tackle Le Mans and the Indy 500 next year. But he told international media at the sports car race in Shanghai […]
Hulkenberg aims to beat Ricciardo
Nov.19 (GMM) The arrival of Daniel Ricciardo is an important piece of the puzzle as Renault pushes towards the front in F1, according to David Coulthard. Since announcing his shock departure from Red Bull for 2019, Australian Ricciardo has struggled this year. But Renault is still looking forward to having the grand prix winner on […]
Alonso exit shows F1 ‘sick’ – Perez
Nov.16 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s plight shows that F1 is “sick”. That is the claim of Force India driver Sergio Perez, referring to double world champion Alonso’s decision to retire from F1 and race instead at Le Mans and the Indy 500 next year. “What happens now is not the formula one that made me want […]
Kubica has ‘made decision’ about 2019
Nov.16 (GMM) Robert Kubica looks certain to secure the second race seat at Williams for 2019. At an event in northern Poland, the British team’s reserve driver declared: “I have made my decision.” Pole Kubica, who has not raced in F1 since almost severing his forearm in a 2011 rally crash, was reportedly tossing up […]
Dutch GP preparations to take ‘years’
Nov.16 (GMM) Belgian grand prix boss Andre Maes doubts the Netherlands can quickly put together an F1 project. After 35 years promoting the iconic race at Spa-Francorchamps, promoter Maes is stepping down. Formule 1, a Dutch publication, said his replacement is not known. But the Spa race’s future is at least secure, after Maes inked […]
F1 teams eye Porsche boss Seidl
Nov.16 (GMM) Mercedes looks set to recruit a top official from Porsche’s highly successful Le Mans team. Porsche ended its highly successful run in the world endurance championship last year, and Speed Week now reports that team boss Andreas Seidl is heading to F1. The publication says Williams and Sauber are also interested in the […]
Ecclestone quiet on Brazil GP rescue
Nov.15 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is not saying whether he will leap to the rescue of the Brazilian grand prix. The former F1 supremo, who lives part-time in the country and whose wife Fabiana heads their coffee brand Celebrity, has been linked with potentially buying Interlagos. The circuit is being privatised, leaving the future of the […]
Raikkonen ‘not worried’ about Sauber move
Nov.15 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he is not worrying about his step back to the Sauber team for 2019. The Finn and 2007 world champion is being replaced at Ferrari by Charles Leclerc, with Raikkonen accepting a step backwards to Sauber, the small Swiss team with whom he made his F1 debut 17 years ago. […]
Ferrari eyeing management shake-up for 2019
Nov.15 (GMM) Robert Smedley could be shaping up to return to Ferrari. Famous for being Felipe Massa’s race engineer at the Maranello team, the Briton has more recently had a senior engineering role at Williams. But he is leaving the beleaguered British team, and as he prepares to embark on ‘gardening leave’, his next move […]
F1 has ‘other options’ to British GP – Carey
Nov.14 (GMM) Chase Carey has admitted a cloud still hangs over the future of the British grand prix. Last year, Silverstone’s owner, the British Racing Drivers’ Club, exercised a break clause in its contract in the hope of negotiating a better deal for 2020. And F1 chief executive Carey confirms that a new deal is […]
Carey admits no ‘new engine’ for 2021
Nov.14 (GMM) Chase Carey has admitted F1’s engines will not change significantly for 2021. Earlier, Liberty Media wanted drastically different engines compared to the complex, controversial and quiet ‘power units’ of today. But those currently on the grid hit back at those plans, insisting that if no other car manufacturers join them in F1, switching […]
Formula E ‘slower than Formula Ford’ – Hamilton
Nov.14 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is not interested in Formula E because of the lack of petrol power, sound and speed. Formula E is gaining in popularity and current McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne will drive for the new works Mercedes team in the forthcoming season. “It’s great to see all the top brands – […]
Jos Verstappen defends son after Ocon clash
Nov.14 (GMM) Jos Verstappen has defended his son in the wake of the Brazilian grand prix. Many have criticised the way Red Bull driver Max Verstappen physically accosted Esteban Ocon after being taken out of the lead by the lapped Frenchman. “Maybe what Max did was not good,” Jos, who took out Juan Pablo Montoya […]
Carey defends ending F1 betting sponsorship ban
Nov.14 (GMM) Chase Carey has defended F1’s move into the world of gambling. For four decades, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone did not allow any betting sponsorships. But now under the ownership of Liberty Media, new CEO Carey recently agreed a $100 million deal with sports betting group ISG. “It’s clear that fans enjoy it. […]
Brazil ramps up efforts to keep grand prix
Nov.13 (GMM) Organisers of the Brazilian grand prix have ramped up efforts to keep Interlagos on the F1 calendar. The contract expires in 2020, but local government says it intends to privatise the circuit in the meantime. “The race is important for the city. It is in everyone’s interest to keep it,” Sao Paulo mayor […]
Marchionne death hurt Ferrari morale – Tronchetti Provera
Nov.13 (GMM) Ferrari is “very close” to its goal of bringing the title back to Maranello after more than a decade. That is the view of Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera, even though Ferrari has been defeated by Mercedes in both world championships this year. But Pirelli’s Tronchetti Provera told Rai radio: “Ferrari did an […]