Aug.29 (GMM) Robert Kubica says his rookie teammate George Russell “has the skills” to thrive at the front in Formula 1. Actually, the pair are at the back of the grid with Williams. But Russell has been consistently ahead of the sister car throughout 2019. Some believe that is because of Kubica’s permanently injured right […]
Month: August 2019
Melbourne rules out ‘sneaky’ F1 tobacco branding
Aug.29 (GMM) There will be no comeback for what Melbourne’s state Victorian government calls the “sneaky” way two F1 teams tried to advertise cigarettes at the Australian GP. That is the claim of Jenny Mikakos, who is the Victorian health minister. She is referring to how big tobacco-related sponsors of the Ferrari and McLaren teams […]
Renault got start of ‘power unit’ era wrong – Abiteboul
Aug.28 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has admitted that Renault messed up its start to the current ‘power unit’ era. The French marque is still recovering, but now with its works team, a big step was made over the last winter period. Daniel Ricciardo is at the wheel in 2019 and a key focus is on improving […]
Ferrari CEO boosting F1 investment for 2020, 2021
Aug.28 (GMM) Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri is “increasing investments” into the Maranello marque’s Formula 1 team for the future. That is the news of the authoritative Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, as Ferrari prepares to tackle the forthcoming two high-speed circuits at Spa and Monza. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff thinks the red cars will be […]
Barcelona confirmed as full 2020 calendar emerges
Aug.28 (GMM) The 2020 calendar is finally taking shape. Until mere hours ago, it was not even clear if there would be 21 or 22 races next year, as negotiations about a reduction in winter testing or an additional engine allocation for 2020 were taking place. But a 22-race calendar now seems certain, with Liberty […]
Hulkenberg expects ‘exciting’ driver news at Spa
Aug.28 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg is expecting an “exciting” day at Spa-Francorchamps. But the German was not talking about Sunday’s race. Instead, he joked on social media about the growing ‘silly season’ rumours about the make-up of the 2020 grid. On the cover of its latest magazine edition, France’s Auto Hebdo announced Esteban Ocon’s return to […]
McLaren plays down Norris leg injury
Aug.27 (GMM) McLaren is playing down an injury to race driver Lando Norris. Viewers of one of the avid racing gamer’s online live streams from his home noticed this week that the 19-year-old is wear a brace on his foot. He said during the stream that the injury “frickin hurts”. AFP news agency claims Norris […]
Berger thinks Vettel could quit Ferrari
Aug.27 (GMM) Gerhard Berger thinks it is possible that Sebastian Vettel will pull out of his Ferrari contract. German Vettel, a quadruple world champion, has won a grand total of 52 races — the third highest tally in the sport’s history. But his last win was exactly a year ago, at Spa Francorchamps in 2018. […]
Kubica plays down Russell ‘hate’ claims
Aug.27 (GMM) Robert Kubica has played down teammate George Russell’s claims about online hate directed towards him. Russell, who has dominated Pole Kubica at Williams this year, recently claimed that half of the comments on his social media postings are “hate” from Kubica’s Polish fans. Kubica told the Polish publication Super Express: “I don’t know […]
Kubica unsure about F1 future beyond 2019
Aug.26 (GMM) Robert Kubica says he isn’t sure if he has a future in Formula 1 beyond 2019. After an eight year gap with his permanent arm injury, the inspirational Pole returned to the grid this year but has struggled alongside his rookie teammate George Russell at Williams. Boss Claire Williams says she is happy […]
Kvyat respects Red Bull’s decision on Albon-Gasly
Aug.26 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he “respectfully” accepts Red Bull’s decision to overlook him for the second race seat at the energy drink outfit’s top F1 team. The Russian has successfully resurrected his career after being dropped first from Red Bull and then Toro Rosso at the end of 2017. He returned to the podium […]
Honda ‘completely different’ to Renault – Verstappen
Aug.26 (GMM) Max Verstappen is still pleased with how Red Bull’s new works collaboration with Honda is progressing. The Dutchman has won two grands prix so far in 2019, which were the first for the Japanese manufacturer since its return to Formula 1 and the disastrous earlier collaboration with McLaren. Verstappen, Red Bull’s top driver, […]
No interest in being 2019 runner-up – Verstappen
Aug.26 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he has no interest in finishing runner-up in 2019. After a strong surge in form with Red Bull-Honda recently, some are predicting that even a championship challenge might be possible for the Dutchman. “That’s almost impossible,” Verstappen insisted to De Telegraaf. “Hamilton would have to have a lot of bad […]
More reports say Bottas staying at Mercedes
Aug.26 (GMM) Multiple authoritative media sources are now reporting that Valtteri Bottas will stay at Mercedes in 2020. Both Finland’s Turun Sanomat newspaper, and the major French sports daily L’Equipe, say the German team could announce the news this week, as the August summer break ends. Earlier, it was believed Mercedes boss Toto Wolff could […]
Magnussen has ‘nothing against’ Hulkenberg
Aug.23 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has played down his former spat with Nico Hulkenberg. After a clash in 2017 in which Hulkenberg confronted Magnussen in front of the world’s media, the Dane bluntly told his German rival to “suck my balls”. Haas driver Magnussen is still questioned about the altercation today. “The whole episode and the […]
Kubica’s F1 future ‘doesn’t look good’ – van der Garde
Aug.23 (GMM) Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde says Robert Kubica’s future on the grid “doesn’t look good”. After a long absence from Formula 1 following his 2011 rallying crash, the now 34-year-old Pole returned to the sport this year with Williams. Some are hailing Kubica’s renewed presence in F1 with his permanent arm […]
Lauda family to sell Mercedes stake – Wolff
Aug.23 (GMM) Niki Lauda’s family will sell the late F1 legend’s shareholding of the Mercedes team. In 2013, just before the German marque began to dominate Formula 1, Austrians Lauda and Toto Wolff bought into the team. Triple world champion Lauda, who died in May as Mercedes’ team chairman, was thought to own 10pc of […]
Alan Jones may quit as ‘disillusioned’ F1 steward
Aug.23 (GMM) “Disillusioned” 1980 world champion Alan Jones has indicated he might quit as a Formula 1 steward. The outspoken Australian, who is 72, told speedcafe.com that he may step down so that he can become more critical about how the sport’s officials operate. “At the end of the day I’m a little bit, shall […]
Formula E changes ‘nothing’ about F1 project – Wolff
Aug.23 (GMM) Despite racing ahead with its Formula E plans, Mercedes remains committed to Formula 1. That is the news from team boss Toto Wolff, even though the German marque has announced that its new Formula E outfit will be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. But in terms of F1, Wolff told […]
Ocon-Renault deal not yet signed – report
Aug.23 (GMM) Esteban Ocon’s rumoured return to the F1 grid for 2020 may not yet be set in stone. It is believed that Mercedes has opted to stick with Valtteri Bottas for another year, with boss Toto Wolff negotiating a deal to loan Frenchman Ocon to Renault instead. There are several reasons for Mercedes to […]