Feb.12 (GMM) Claire Williams wanted a “fresh” and “bright” new livery to mark an end to the British team’s horror period. Williams, a once-great name in F1, finished dead last in 2018 and lost the backing of title sponsor Martini. The team has a new sponsor for 2019, and Claire Williams said that was the […]
Month: February 2019
McLaren not confirming Alonso test yet
Feb.11 (GMM) Gil de Ferran is not confirming that Fernando Alonso will test for McLaren in the forthcoming Barcelona tests. In the past hours, the recently retired-from-F1 Spaniard has been spotted at McLaren’s Woking factory. It invigorated speculation Alonso may test the British team’s 2019 car next week, following an invitation by McLaren boss Zak […]
Staying in F1 beyond 2020 not decided – Marko
Feb.11 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says that if Honda stays in F1 after 2020, Red Bull will stay as well. The current ‘Concorde Agreement’, which binds the teams to the sport, expires in December 2020. Marko, a top Red Bull official, says whether Red Bull signs a new one depends on negotiations with Liberty Media. […]
Haas drivers admit putting on weight for 2019
Feb.11 (GMM) F1 drivers will not look like ‘The Hulk’ in 2019, even though the rules about driver weight have changed. That is the claim of Haas driver Kevin Magnussen. His teammate, Romain Grosjean, admits to have “overdone” his weight gain over the winter, as the rules now mandate a minimum of 80kg driver-plus-seat weight. […]
Haas to use Dallara simulator from 2019
Feb.11 (GMM) Haas is stepping up its simulator programme for 2019. Until now, the small American team has used the Ferrari simulator at Maranello. But according to boss Gunther Steiner, Haas has been unable to use the simulator during grand prix weekends because it is monopolised at these times by Ferrari. “We have access to […]
Top teams will be unbeaten in 2019 – Grosjean
Feb.11 (GMM) F1’s current top teams will remain unchallenged until at least 2021. That is the view of Romain Grosjean, a driver for the small American team Haas. Thanks to its Ferrari collaboration, Haas is tipped to continue to challenge right behind the top teams Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull in 2019. But Grosjean doubts […]
Steiner ‘happy’ with Ferrari-Alfa alliance
Feb.11 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says he is “happy” with the ever closer alliance between Ferrari and the team formerly known as Sauber. Steiner is the boss at Haas, the small American team that has a close technical collaboration with Ferrari. However, Ferrari and ‘Sauber’ are moving even more closely together, with the rebranding of the […]
Verstappen says he, Leclerc top stars of future
Feb.11 (GMM) Max Verstappen thinks he and Charles Leclerc will be the ‘Hamilton and Vettel’ of the future. Verstappen, 21, will be the de-facto number 1 at Red Bull this year, while Ferrari rookie Leclerc – also 21 – will be four time world champion Sebastian Vettel’s teammate. “I imagine we will be like Hamilton […]
Australia investigating ‘Mission Winnow’ branding
Feb.8 (GMM) Australian authorities have launched an investigation into Ferrari’s new ‘Mission Winnow’ branding. The branding is an initiative of the team’s title sponsor Philip Morris, maker of Marlboro cigarettes. The company says the brand promotes smoking alternatives and other initiatives, but some believe it is a clever way to keep Marlboro and the similar […]
Manager says 2019 Kvyat’s last chance in F1
Feb.8 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat is getting his final chance to succeed in formula one. That is the view of the Russian’s new manager Nicolas Todt. After being dropped by the Red Bull programme after stints at Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing, Kvyat spent 2018 as a Ferrari simulator driver. Now 24, he has been […]
Rosberg does not miss F1 ‘at all’
Feb.8 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he does not miss formula one “at all”. The German, now 33, quit at the age of 31 just days after winning the 2016 title. Speaking to Germany’s ZDF television, he denies regretting it. “I don’t miss it at all, and for me that’s a big thing,” he said. “Back […]
Ferrari to be darker red in 2019
Feb.8 (GMM) Ferrari’s livery may be darker and with a matte appearance in 2019. That is the latest rumour to emerge in the days before the famous Italian team’s February 15 launch next Friday. The Italian publication Automoto claims Ferrari’s red colour for 2019 will be darker than usual, in line with the similarly ‘Mission […]
F1 ‘has gotten used to me’ – Perez
Feb.8 (GMM) Sergio Perez is keen to make some noise with his performances in 2019. Now 29, the Mexican is a F1 veteran, with over 150 grands prix to his name. And yet, 2018 was a very low profile year for Perez, even though he finished the world championship eighth overall. “It’s as if people […]
Red Bull denies deliberate Mercedes launch clash
Feb.8 (GMM) Red Bull has denied it timed its car launch to deliberately clash with reigning world champions Mercedes. There is no love lost between the top teams, with Dr Helmut Marko last year describing fellow Austrian Toto Wolff as “persona non grata”. Mercedes had already scheduled a ‘rollout’ test for its 2019 car for […]
Liberty will struggle to sell F1 – Yermilin
Feb.8 (GMM) Liberty Media will struggle to sell F1 for a profit. That is the view of Igor Yermilin, president of Russia’s motor racing federation. He was asked by Russia’s Sportbox publication about rumours that, beset with growing problems and unrest, the American company might be looking to sell. “The situation is completely expected,” Yermilin […]
Zandvoort says Assen not Dutch GP alternative
Feb.8 (GMM) There will be a Dutch GP in “Zandvoort, or not at all”. That is the claim of Jan Lammers, a former F1 driver who is now the spokesperson for a potential 2020 return to the calendar for the Dutch track. Earlier, a letter emerged that indicated a deal in principle is in place […]
Haas defends sponsor after Red Bull claim
Feb.8 (GMM) Haas’ team boss and driver have defended their new backer, after Rich Energy boss William Storey said the American team can beat Red Bull in 2019. On the Rich Energy website, the British energy drink company clearly takes aim at Red Bull, declaring: “Forget the wings, Rich Energy gives you horns.” As for […]
Haas sponsor slams F1 conspiracy theorists
Feb.8 (GMM) Haas’ new title sponsor has dismissed as conspiracy theorists those who wonder about the credibility of the Rich Energy brand. The American team’s new black and gold car is sponsored by William Storey, boss of an elusive British energy drink. “A rare sighting,” said Reuters journalist Alan Baldwin on Twitter, after tracking down […]
Leclerc must not be impatient – Todt
Feb.7 (GMM) Charles Leclerc’s manager says the new Ferrari driver must not be “impatient” in 2019. Replacing Kimi Raikkonen for the new season, many are tipping 21-year-old Frenchman Leclerc to give nominal ‘number 1’ driver Sebastian Vettel a run for his money this year. But Nicolas Todt, the son of FIA president Jean Todt and […]
Gasly in ‘best situation’ next to Verstappen
Feb.7 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says he is in the “best situation” to have Max Verstappen as his 2019 teammate. This week, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner declared that Verstappen is the driver that five time world champion Lewis Hamilton now “fears” the most. Gasly is Verstappen’s actual teammate. Although older than the Dutchman, 23-year-old […]