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 it is “unclear where we stand”. That is despite the fact team official Dr Helmut […]
Category: Recent stories
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 been dropped and is now a Mercedes simulator and Formula E driver. He said of […]
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 Andy Green insists the Racing Point plan is in fact “on schedule”. Mexican driver Sergio […]
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. “My feelings are mixed, because on the one hand we are happy to finally have […]
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 also drive “at selected tests”, the team revealed. “I will be a link between the […]
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 the 2019 Ferrari in Barcelona, said. “But I think we should be good. Red Bull […]
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 follow his rival. But Daniel Ricciardo sounded a positive note last week, and now Haas […]
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 pundit and investor in the ‘E mobility’ industry. So when asked if he is interested […]
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 without a manager. “My role with Kevin is to help him with contracts – commercial […]
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 Paul Ricard. “My role is to maintain contact with all the players — teams, drivers, […]
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 a F1 simulator driver with Mercedes. “It’s not the best fun, but it’s very important […]
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 fourth overall last year, and now with Daniel Ricciardo in the car is targeting getting […]
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 is a shortlist and Mick is part of the shortlist because he is one of […]
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 to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Alonso even has his helmet in his luggage. Alonso was […]
‘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 for its new car. Sources said the team has been working on the changes – […]
No B-team alliance leaves Mercedes ‘alone’ – Marko
Feb.26 (GMM) Mercedes has been left “alone” without a key team alliance in formula one. That is the view of Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko. He points out that Ferrari has allied closely with Sauber-Alfa Romeo, while Red Bull is now collaborating more strongly than ever with Toro Rosso. “Ferrari is the bar at […]
Bottas expects ‘equal’ treatment early in 2019
Feb.26 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he is sure Mercedes will allow him to take on Lewis Hamilton in 2019. Ferrari has opened its account for this year by saying that Sebastian Vettel has “priority” over new teammate Charles Leclerc. A newly-bearded Bottas, on the other hand, has come out in 2019 declaring that he is […]
Norris preparing hard for F1 debut
Feb.26 (GMM) Lando Norris says he is hard at work preparing for his F1 debut. The 19-year-old Formula 2 runner-up is making his debut for McLaren this year, as the once-great F1 team rebuilds after an uncompetitive last few years. Norris told the Dutch publication Formule 1 that the workload as he prepares to debut […]
Leclerc wants first win ‘soon’
Feb.26 (GMM) Charles Leclerc is showing no sign of being willing to fall in line as Sebastian Vettel’s ‘number 2’. It is believed Vettel and now departed team boss Maurizio Arrivabene fell out last year after the German surmised that he was not getting enough support. The new boss at Ferrari is Mattia Binotto, and […]
Schumacher set to test Alfa Romeo in April
Feb.26 (GMM) Mick Schumacher looks set to test a 2019 formula one car as early as April. Sky Italia reports that the 19-year-old son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, who was recently signed by Ferrari’s development academy, could test an Alfa Romeo. Thanks to the close alliance between the former Sauber team and Ferrari, Schumacher […]