Feb.28 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin says his plan to return to the F1 grid in 2020 is on track. The Russian, ousted by Williams at the end of 2018, has re-joined Renault as the reserve driver for 2019. “I already worked […]
Month: February 2019
Bottas says ‘B’-spec Mercedes is better
Feb.28 (GMM) Mercedes is still scrambling to get ready for the first race of 2019. That is the admission of Valtteri Bottas, who appeared to confirm the paddock perception that Mercedes is behind not only Ferrari but also Red Bull-Honda. […]
Ferrari unsure of 2019 pecking order – Gene
Feb.28 (GMM) A Ferrari test driver will not confirm that the Maranello team is leading the 2019 field. The paddock consensus is that Ferrari is clearly leading Red Bull-Honda and Mercedes. Long-serving Ferrari tester and ambassador Marc Gene admits to […]
Now Magnussen admits to 4kg weight gain
Feb.28 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has admitted he put on weight over the winter. The Dane is just the latest driver to admit to bulking up ahead of the 2019 rule change, whereby the driver plus the seat must weigh at […]
Raikkonen admits Alfa Romeo ‘fast’
Feb.28 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has played down mounting speculation about Alfa Romeo’s ability to be a dark horse of 2019. His former Ferrari teammate, Sebastian Vettel, on Wednesday singled out the ex Sauber team as a notable standout of winter […]
Verstappen keeping quiet ahead of 2019 season
Feb.28 (GMM) Max Verstappen has suddenly gone very quiet about progress at Red Bull-Honda. Prior to driving the newly Honda-powered 2019 Red Bull, the energy drink owned team including Verstappen were notably bullish about their chances. But now, Verstappen says […]
Vandoorne says McLaren was focused on Alonso
Feb.28 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne says McLaren was almost completely focused on Fernando Alonso during his time with the once-great British team. Belgian Vandoorne raced at McLaren with Honda and then Renault power in 2017 and 2018, but for 2019 has […]
Racing Point planning big upgrade for Melbourne
Feb.28 (GMM) Racing Point is putting a brave face on a notable shortage of test kilometres so far in Barcelona. Not including Williams, the former Force India outfit has collected the least test mileage of any team. But technical boss […]
Kubica says good result in Australia unlikely
Feb.28 (GMM) Robert Kubica has admitted to having “mixed” feelings as the winter test season prepares to wind down. Only two days of pre-season running before Melbourne remain, and Williams lost the first two days amid a 2019 car delay. […]
Alonso admits 2020 return possible
Feb.28 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has admitted he could return to formula one in 2020. During his visit to the Circuit de Catalunya for pre-season testing, McLaren announced that the former team driver will be an ‘ambassador’ this year. Alonso will […]
Vettel thinks Mercedes could be struggling
Feb.28 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted he thinks Mercedes could be struggling. While the 2019 pecking-order may be muddied, the general consensus is that Ferrari is leading the pack. “I have not analysed the times so much,” Vettel, after crashing […]
Overtaking ‘definitely easier’ with 2019 cars – Magnussen
Feb.27 (GMM) Another F1 driver is hopeful the new aerodynamic rules for 2019 will make overtaking easier. There has been great scepticism that the changes, most particularly the wider new front wing, will help a chasing driver to more easily […]
Rosberg no longer working with Kubica
Feb.27 (GMM) Nico Rosberg insists he still is not interested in returning to formula one as a driver or team boss. The 2016 world champion quit suddenly after beating Lewis Hamilton to the title, and is now a part-time paddock […]
Both Haas drivers now have same manager
Feb.27 (GMM) Both Haas drivers now have the same manager. Denmark’s BT newspaper reports that Kevin Magnussen has signed up with Martin Reiss, who the publication calls ‘one of the most respected deal-makers in formula one’. Magnussen had recently been […]
Boullier not ruling out F1 team return
Feb.27 (GMM) Eric Boullier is not ruling out a return to the F1 paddock. The Frenchman, ousted by McLaren mid last year, has at least now returned to formula one with an advisory role at the French grand prix at […]
Red Bull-Honda can fight for wins – Vandoorne
Feb.27 (GMM) Fernando Alonso was not the only former McLaren driver in the Barcelona paddock on Tuesday. Also there was Stoffel Vandoorne, the ousted Belgian driver who has switched to Formula E. But the 26-year-old is also now working as […]
Renault targets ‘lucky’ podium in 2019
Feb.27 (GMM) Renault thinks it has reduced the gap to the top three teams over the winter. Nick Chester, the French works team’s technical boss, told Spanish reporters in Barcelona that he is “satisfied” with the 2019 car. Renault finished […]
Alfa Romeo admits Schumacher could test
Feb.27 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur has admitted that Mick Schumacher could test the 2019 Alfa Romeo in April. Earlier, we reported rumours that the former Sauber team could run Michael Schumacher’s 19-year-old son in the post-Bahrain GP young drivers’ test. “There […]
Alonso brought helmet to Barcelona – report
Feb.27 (GMM) Fernando Alonso spent Tuesday at the Circuit de Catalunya. The arrival of the former F1 driver at the final winter test followed speculation he might even drive the 2019 McLaren. He was wearing McLaren team gear, and according […]
‘Every aero surface’ changed on 2019 Mercedes
Feb.27 (GMM) Mercedes had heads turning in Barcelona as the final days of winter testing before the 2019 season began. The reigning champions, reportedly outpaced so far by Ferrari and Red Bull-Honda, emerged on track with a major aerodynamic upgrade […]