Feb.14 (GMM) F1 drivers are waiting to have their new helmets approved for use in 2019. Last year, the FIA announced that a mandatory new standard for 2019 called FIA 8860 would have ballistic protection and a smaller visor opening. F1’s governing body said it worked closely on the new regulations with Stilo, Bell, Schuberth […]
Category: Recent stories
Michael Schumacher spent holidays in Mallorca
Feb.14 (GMM) Michael Schumacher spent his recent 50th birthday at a new family home in Mallorca. That is the claim of the German publications Bunte and Bild, claiming that the seven time world champion was flown to the Mediterranean island by helicopter. It could indicate a significant development in Schumacher’s recovery from brain injuries sustained […]
Marko thinks Red Bull-Honda can be ‘at the front’
Feb.14 (GMM) Recently, former F1 driver Robert Doornbos said he would be watching Max Verstappen’s face after he steps out of the 2019 Red Bull-Honda for the first time. “Max will know immediately how successful the new car can be,” said Verstappen’s Dutch countryman. “So I’ll be curious to see his face after a couple […]
Perez eyes ‘maybe even a win’ in 2019
Feb.14 (GMM) The team formerly known as Force India is targeting fourth place in the championship this year. Although a highly competitive midfield runner, the Silverstone based team ran into financial problems last year and was taken over by billionaire Lawrence Stroll. And so for 2019, those money problems are over. “Anything less than fourth […]
PM hopes Malaysia returns to F1 calendar
Feb.13 (GMM) Malaysia’s prime minister hopes formula one returns to the country. The Sepang Circuit near Kuala Lumpur was built specifically for F1 ahead of its 1999 debut. In 2017, the government pulled out of its contract with a year to run, with sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin declaring: “Costs too high, returns limited”. But PM […]
Williams could miss start of winter testing
Feb.13 (GMM) Williams’ car might not be ready for the start of winter testing next week. On Tuesday, Renault ‘launched’ a newly liveried and modified version of its 2018 car, with boss Cyril Abiteboul saying the 2019 machine is still “in pieces”. Williams’ 2019 car might also be delayed, according to Polish media sources. Sport.pl, […]
Mercedes dominance could now be over – Rosberg
Feb.13 (GMM) Nico Rosberg thinks Mercedes’ utter dominance of the ‘power unit’ era may finally be over. Before retiring, Rosberg won the 2016 title for the German team. And since 2014, when the turbo V6 era began, Lewis Hamilton has won every other championship. “This year, everything resets to zero because of the rule changes,” […]
Drivers not sure 2019 rule changes will work
Feb.13 (GMM) Two F1 drivers are not so sure the aerodynamic rule changes for 2019 will make a big difference. Max Verstappen’s bosses at Red Bull, Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko, say the changes including new front wings are little more than a waste of $15 million per team. “It’s supposed to improve overtaking,” […]
After Todt controversy, F1 back on Sky in Germany
Feb.13 (GMM) There is good news for German fans ahead of the forthcoming 2019 season. Last year, Jean Todt caused a stir when he said he watched the Brazilian grand prix on RTL, Germany’s free-to-air broadcaster. “I was the most frustrated television viewer imaginable,” said the Frenchman, declaring that he watched “more advertising” than he […]
Massa, Alonso back sweeping changes at Ferrari
Feb.13 (GMM) Former Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa have backed the Maranello team’s new boss. After failing to win the 2018 title despite having a top car, Ferrari ousted its boss since 2014, Maurizio Arrivabene. After a power struggle, his replacement is Mattia Binotto, the existing and continuing technical boss. “Binotto is a […]
2019 Renault car ‘still in pieces’ – Abiteboul
Feb.13 (GMM) Renault’s 2019 car is yet to see light of day. Ostensibly, the French team ‘launched’ its new single seater on Tuesday, but it was actually the 2018 car with 2019-style bodywork. One theory is that the car is delayed, and another is that Renault doesn’t want to reveal its secrets. Team boss Cyril […]
Mosley supports Halo, budget cap
Feb.12 (GMM) Max Mosley says he is fully supportive of F1’s latest moves to protect the drivers. The ‘Halo’ cockpit protection system has been highly controversial, but former FIA president Mosley says Jean Todt was right to introduce it. “I haven’t been to a race since 2009, but I watch a lot of the races […]
Russian promoter slams Silverstone boss
Feb.12 (GMM) Russia has distanced itself from a group of F1 circuits who are threatening to quit formula one. A statement highly critical of Liberty Media that was issued by the so-called Formula One Promoters’ Association (FOPA), and comments made by its boss Stuart Pringle, recently caused a stir. Sergey Vorobyev, the Russian GP boss, […]
Toro Rosso to use year-old Red Bull parts in 2019
Feb.12 (GMM) Toro Rosso’s new car features many parts that were used on the 2018 Red Bull. With Ferrari moving closer to Sauber-Alfa Romeo and Haas buying many parts from Maranello, the rules now allow Red Bull and Toro Rosso to also collaborate more closely. For instance, the entire Honda-powered rear end of the new […]
Haas sponsor sued over logo
Feb.12 (GMM) The controversy around Haas’ new title sponsor continues. Already, there is scepticism about the legitimacy of Rich Energy, a British energy drink headed by the long-bearded William Storey. Now, it emerges that Rich is heading to court next month. In the days just prior to the start of the 2019 season, Storey’s company […]
Williams has ‘bright’ look for fresh start in 2019
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 […]
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 […]