Feb.22 (GMM) Robert Kubica insists he is “not worried” despite Williams’ catastrophic start to its 2019 campaign. Rumours have been flying about in the Barcelona paddock, after the once-great British team’s 2019 car was two days late and then woefully off the pace. Former Williams driver Sergey Sirotkin told Russia’s Championat: “When I was in […]
Category: Recent stories
Ferrari rivals ‘bluffing’ – Leclerc
Feb.22 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has played down Ferrari’s new status as the 2019 favourite by saying teams ‘bluff’ in winter testing. After the first test in Barcelona, both Mercedes and Red Bull are saying the Maranello team has a clear advantage with its new car. What Leclerc will admit to is how easily he has […]
Red Bull denies Honda engine vibration rumours
Feb.22 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has added his denial to speculation Red Bull is struggling with excessive vibration from the 2019 Honda power unit. Actually, team official Marko insists the Japanese manufacturer has done a “great job” over the winter, and claims Red Bull is behind Ferrari but ahead of Mercedes. “Everything they (Honda) told […]
Verstappen had ‘good time’ in community service
Feb.22 (GMM) Max Verstappen smiled as he said he had a “good time” serving his so-called FIA community service over the winter break. The audacious Red Bull driver received the penalty for violently confronting Esteban Ocon after the Brazilian grand prix. His first day of punishment occurred at the Formula E race in Morocco, where […]
Ramirez hopes McLaren has ‘patience’ to rebuild
Feb.22 (GMM) Jo Ramirez says he hopes McLaren has learned to be ‘patient’ as it aims for better results in 2019 and beyond. The famous British team has struggled ever since the beginning of the Honda era, including the switch to customer Renault power last year. McLaren has had a more positive start to the […]
Bottas prepared to be the ‘villain’ in 2019
Feb.22 (GMM) A bullish Valtteri Bottas says he is determined to beat Lewis Hamilton in 2019. The Finn was disappointed with his performance last year, and could lose his place at Mercedes for 2020 to new team reserve Esteban Ocon. Bottas admits that his new look is a signal of his intention to turn things […]
US GP loses $20m in government backing
Feb.21 (GMM) A dark cloud has moved over the financial health of the US grand prix in Austin. The Associated Press reports that race organisers have missed a paperwork deadline and as a result will lose $20 million of government backing. The missing paperwork is reportedly a mandatory anti human trafficking plan. A spokesman for […]
Claire Williams says team will race in Australia
Feb.21 (GMM) A contrite Claire Williams has faced the F1 media in Barcelona, admitting Williams’ absence from the opening two days amid fierce speculation was “embarrassing”. But the once-great British team’s deputy boss would not comment on precisely what the problem was back at the Grove factory. “It wasn’t just one thing,” she told Finland’s […]
No date set for Lauda’s F1 return – son
Feb.21 (GMM) Niki Lauda will return to F1 when he is ready. That is the news from the F1 legend’s son Mathias. Earlier, Lauda – who turns 70 on Friday – targeted his return to the paddock from a lung transplant for the Barcelona tests. But he is not yet strong enough even to travel […]
Mercedes must replace Bottas with Ocon – Surer
Feb.21 (GMM) A former F1 driver thinks 2019 will certainly be Valtteri Bottas’ last season at Mercedes. Bottas is under intense pressure this year, as he is out of contract at the end of 2019. When asked if Esteban Ocon – who is in Barcelona observing the tests as Mercedes’ new reserve – will replace […]
Merc could quit F1 over ‘no deal’ Brexit – Richards
Feb.21 (GMM) ‘Brexit’ could cause Mercedes to quit formula one. That is the alarming claim of David Richards, a former F1 team boss who is now chairman of Motorsport UK. Speaking to Press Association Sport, he was referring to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s warning this week that a ‘no deal’ Brexit could spell havoc for […]
Pressure on Leclerc ‘unfair’ – Hamilton
Feb.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says the pressure being put on Charles Leclerc is “unfair”. Many are predicting that, after Sebastian Vettel’s difficult 2018 season, youngster Leclerc can challenge him in his first season with Ferrari. The speculation even prompted Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto to come out and say Vettel will still get “priority” in 2019. […]
Sponsor comments about Red Bull ‘alright’ – Steiner
Feb.21 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says he is not alarmed by the statements being made by Haas’ controversial new title sponsor. Eyebrows were already being raised about the legitimacy of Rich Energy, an energy drink run by a long-bearded Briton called William Storey. On Twitter, Rich Energy said after the opening day of running in Barcelona: […]
Hamilton questions 2019 rule changes
Feb.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he doubts the new front wings for 2019 will improve the racing. The reigning world champion was asked about the aerodynamic rules tweaks that are designed to make it easier for cars to follow each other. “For me it’s the same,” said the Mercedes driver. “In terms of feeling, hardly […]
Giovinazzi to learn from ‘teacher’ Raikkonen
Feb.21 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi says he wants to learn from his experienced teammate in 2019. The Italian, with only two grands prix under his belt, is making his full F1 debut this year for Alfa Romeo. “With Kimi next door, for me he can be a teacher and I have a lot to learn,” said […]
Perez hopes for Mexico GP rescue
Feb.21 (GMM) Sergio Perez says he hopes Mexico can save its grand prix. Although the Mexico City race is highly popular, mayor Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that governing funding will stop after the event this October. “By 2020, the federal government no longer has the resource because it is allocating most of the fund to […]
Red Bull ‘ahead of Mercedes’ – Marko
Feb.21 (GMM) Red Bull appears ready to challenge for the world championship. After the opening three days of 2019 testing, the provisional pecking order is Ferrari in the lead, half a second ahead of Mercedes. But between those two teams, it appears, is Red Bull-Honda. Getting a lot of the credit for that is the […]
Wolff admits Ferrari ‘half a second ahead’
Feb.21 (GMM) Toto Wolff has confirmed reports that Ferrari appears to be leading the entire 2019 field by half a second. “I agree with Franz (Tost),” said the Mercedes boss. “Realistically, it looks like Ferrari is half a second ahead.” Not only that, the perception in the paddock is that not only Ferrari is ahead […]
Hamilton put on 5kg since 2018
Feb.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he has put on 5 kilograms because the weight rules have been changed for 2019. A regular on magazine covers, the five time world champion has admitted he has enjoyed the relaxation of the rules. It’s the same story with many other drivers, who have put on between 1 and […]
Seat problem sidelined Magnussen at test
Feb.20 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen had to stop driving Haas’ F1 car on Tuesday. Ekstra Bladet newspaper reports that the Dane’s head was pointing too far forwards, due to a problem with the headrest. “I’ve been sitting really badly in the car,” Magnussen confirmed. “I had trouble seeing and when I braked, it wasn’t easy to […]