Aug.31 (GMM) Robert Kubica’s poor 2019 season is not getting any better in Belgium. In opening practice at Spa, even Nicholas Latifi – the son of McLaren shareholder Michael Latifi and tipped to make his F1 debut in 2010 – was faster than the struggling Pole. Latifi, reportedly funded to the tunes of tens of […]
Month: August 2019
Raikkonen involved in altercation at Spa
Aug.31 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has been involved in an altercation with a fan in the Spa paddock. “I don’t know,” the Alfa Romeo said when asked about the incident by Finnish broadcaster C More. A photo of the incident depicts an angry man wearing an orange Max Verstappen cap shouting at the 2007 world champion. […]
Renault engine upgrade disappoints Sainz
Aug.31 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has admitted he is disappointed with Renault’s latest engine upgrade. The McLaren driver is among others at Spa who will take grid penalties for engine changes. Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault have all introduced upgrades for Belgium. Sainz admits he “expected more” from the new Renault. “The new engine? I didn’t notice […]
F1 considering qualifying race experiment for 2020
Aug.31 (GMM) F1 is toying with the idea of experimenting with the race format in 2020. The sport’s all-new era is not arriving until 2021, but sporting boss Ross Brawn said the stable regulations for 2020 gives Liberty the freedom to experiment at one or two races next year. One idea is a race for […]
Red Bull not ruling out Hulkenberg for 2020
Aug.31 (GMM) Red Bull is not yet shutting the door on Nico Hulkenberg. It is believed Haas is in advanced negotiations with the Renault refugee, but reports indicate Hulkenberg is also interested in being Max Verstappen’s 2020 teammate. Red Bull has said that Alex Albon, who has replaced the struggling Pierre Gasly as of Spa, […]
Teams need ‘third car crew’ for 25 races
Aug.31 (GMM) F1 teams will need to change their structures if Liberty Media pushes ahead with plans for up to 25 races in 2021. The calendar is already expanding to an unprecedented 22 races next year, but the teams only agreed to that after demanding certain regulations compromises. For instance, winter testing has been reduced […]
FIA looked into Hamilton’s shutdown comments
Aug.31 (GMM) F1’s governing body looked into whether Mercedes broke the rules during the recent mandatory August shutdown. During the summer break, teams are required by the rules to observe a strict factory shutdown, which according to the rules forbids “any work activity”. But Lewis Hamilton told the press at Spa that during the break, […]
F1 teams would welcome ‘strong’ new entrants
Aug.31 (GMM) Formula 1 may not get any new teams on the grid until 2022 at the earliest, sporting boss Ross Brawn said at Spa. Brawn said it might be better to see the impact of sport’s new era in 2021 before opening the paddock gates to any new competitors. The comments follow reports that […]
Wolff and Mercedes to keep managing Ocon
Aug.31 (GMM) Mercedes protege Esteban Ocon is now a full Renault driver, boss Cyril Abiteboul insists. Later on Saturday, the 22-year-old Frenchman will sit with his manager Toto Wolff and Renault’s Abiteboul at Spa to discuss the details of his new two-year deal. “He’s a Renault driver, that’s very clear,” Abiteboul said at Spa. “Mercedes […]
Renault offered Hulkenberg one-year deal – Prost
Aug.31 (GMM) Renault director Alain Prost says Nico Hulkenberg turned down an offer for 2020. German Hulkenberg looks set to switch to Haas, but reports indicate he is also hoping to be a candidate for the vacant seat at Red Bull. Renault has signed up Esteban Ocon to replace him for 2020, with Hulkenberg claiming […]
Only Ferrari without new engine at Spa
Aug.30 (GMM) Ferrari is the only engine manufacturer not to have taken a new specification of its 2019 power unit to Spa Francorchamps. Mercedes, Renault and Honda have all brought scheduled upgrades to the Belgian GP, and it was expected that Ferrari would do the same. But Sebastian Vettel said on Thursday: “Our plan is […]
Rivals surprised by Hulkenberg axe
Aug.30 (GMM) Two of his rivals have admitted they are surprised that Nico Hulkenberg has been ousted by Renault. The 32-year-old will be replaced for 2020 by Esteban Ocon, who is reportedly on a two-year loan from Mercedes. “Ocon and Renault clearly liked one another and it was clear that it would happen sooner or […]
Haas title sponsor controversy continues at Spa
Aug.30 (GMM) Haas’ controversial title sponsor remains on the team’s F1 car at Spa Francorchamps. Prior to the August break, Rich Energy’s boss was locked in a dispute with fellow shareholders and firing off barbs about Haas’ 2019 car, which at one point he described as a “milk float”. Team boss Gunther Steiner said the […]
Marko plays down latest Vettel-Red Bull rumour
Aug.30 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has played down the latest version of the rumour linking Sebastian Vettel with a return to Red Bull for 2020. At Spa, Alex Albon admitted to feeling nervous about taking over the demoted Pierre Gasly’s seat. “These decisions are never easy, but we had to react,” Marko, who founded and […]
Raikkonen, Norris to check leg injuries on Friday
Aug.30 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has admitted he may need to sit out the Belgian GP. When Marcus Ericsson pulled out of his latest Indycar race to be on standby for Alfa Romeo at Spa, rumours began to emerge that he may be about to replace Antonio Giovinazzi. Actually, the team’s reserve driver returned from the […]
Big news day marks end to August break
Aug.30 (GMM) After the August break, Formula 1 burst back into life at Spa with a spate of news. Valtteri Bottas, for one, has been definitively signed up by Mercedes for 2020. “Well, it wasn’t a big deal. The team had an option on me so one morning I got an email that the signature […]
Vettel penalty steward Pirro returns at Spa
Aug.29 (GMM) Former F1 driver Emanuele Pirro is making his return as an FIA steward this weekend at Spa. After Montreal in June, the former Benetton driver revealed he had to go to the police following “personal threats” made by fans of Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel. Vettel lost his victory in Canada after the stewards […]
Dutch GP ‘will affect’ Spa-Francorchamps – promoter
Aug.29 (GMM) Belgian GP promoter Vanessa Mas has admitted that Zandvoort’s F1 calendar arrival in 2020 signifies direct “competition” for the popular race located in the Ardennes. Not since 1985 has the neighbouring Netherlands had a grand prix. Mas, who has taken over in charge of the Spa race from her father Andre, admitted that […]
Hockenheim says German GP demise ‘no surprise’
Aug.29 (GMM) The demise of the German GP appears complete. The day after a leaked provisional calendar for 2020 started doing the rounds, Hockenheim circuit management said they were not surprised to be omitted. Liberty Media recently received the teams’ agreement to add an unprecedented 22nd race to next year’s calendar, which gave the green […]
Bottas, Ocon news to be confirmed on Thursday
Aug.29 (GMM) One day after his 30th birthday, Valtteri Bottas will on Thursday be confirmed as Lewis Hamilton’s continuing teammate at Mercedes for 2020. The German team’s announcement plans are being reported by multiple British newspapers and other specialist media sources including France’s RMC Sport. It is believed that, also on the sidelines of the […]