Jul.27 (GMM) McLaren and Toro Rosso are engaged in a tussle over a highly respected F1 technical figure. McLaren announced in Hungary that James Key will be the struggling team’s new technical director. But he is currently at Toro Rosso, whose boss Franz Tost declared: “James Key has a long term valid contract with the […]
Category: Recent stories
Force India financial situation ‘critical’ – Perez
Jul.27 (GMM) Sergio Perez says the financial situation at Force India has become “critical”. In recent days, there have been reports that the Silverstone based team may soon enter insolvency proceedings, or be bought by Lawrence Stroll, the father of Williams driver Lance Stroll. Auto Motor und Sport reports that while the risk of insolvency […]
Lauda to miss second consecutive race
Jul.27 (GMM) Niki Lauda will miss a second consecutive race this weekend in Hungary. The red cap wearing F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman was a notable absentee at Hockenheim a week ago. It emerges that Lauda was in bed in his home in Ibiza with the flu. And a source in Hungary confirmed that […]
Ferrari move big risk for Leclerc – Vasseur
Jul.26 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur says he is unsure how Charles Leclerc would adapt to life as a Ferrari driver. Monaco-born Leclerc is clearly one of the most highly rated F1 rookies in history, and some think Ferrari is ready to promote him to the Maranello team for 2019. But Vasseur, who runs the Alfa Romeo-sponsored […]
Red Bull not questioning Ferrari legality
Jul.26 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says Red Bull is not joining those who are pointing fingers of suspicion at Ferrari. For the first time in the ‘power unit’ era, Ferrari is now clearly ahead of Mercedes with its F1 engine. It is believed the Italian team has devised a clever but controversial system to get […]
German ‘alliance’ tries to save Hockenheim GP
Jul.26 (GMM) Talks to rescue the German grand prix are continuing apace. Hockenheim and Liberty Media have so far failed to negotiate a mutually acceptable race fee for 2019. But the delayed plans in Miami means Germany is suddenly back on Liberty’s agenda. The rescue talks have the backing of Germany’s two automobile clubs, ADAC […]
Alonso defends Vandoorne amid Sauber rumour
Jul.26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has leapt to the defence of his teammate Stoffel Vandoorne. It is believed McLaren is considering ousting the struggling Belgian in favour of young charger Lando Norris. And Auto Motor und Sport reports that a representative of Vandoorne’s management team was spotted in the Sauber motor home at Hockenheim. The Swiss […]
Williams to buy Mercedes gearbox in 2019
Jul.26 (GMM) Williams will take a step towards becoming a Mercedes ‘B team’ in 2019. The once-great British team now has the slowest car on the grid, with its last champion Jacques Villeneuve saying Williams is effectively “dead”. Mercedes could be the solution. “The Ferrari-Sauber model shows that such alliances can be very important in […]
Ricciardo ready to announce Red Bull deal
Jul.26 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull are now ready to make an announcement about the future. Earlier, the Australian was flirting with a move to Ferrari or Mercedes, but it appears a new deal with Red Bull has now definitely been done. Hungary this weekend is the last race before a much-needed gap in […]
Hamilton portrays himself as Jesus – Villeneuve
Jul.25 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton should not be surprised when he is sometimes booed. That is the view of outspoken 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve. At Hockenheim last weekend, Mercedes’ British driver was booed at times during the driver parade. “Lewis should not be surprised,” Villeneuve is quoted by Auto Bild. “He confuses formula one with […]
Magnussen backs Haas’ Hungary test decision
Jul.25 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he understands Haas’ decision to skip the post-Hungary test. Ekstra Bladet newspaper reports that, as of the summer break, the American team’s full focus will be on the 2019 car. That decision was made due to the 2019 aerodynamic rule changes, and the knock-on effect is that Haas does not […]
Zetsche worried about Marchionne exit
Jul.25 (GMM) Mercedes CEO Dieter Zetsche is concerned about the change at the very top at Ferrari. With Sergio Marchionne reportedly gravely ill, Ferrari has appointed a new chairman as well as CEO. The new bosses, John Elkann and Louis Camilleri, met with the Maranello team’s boss Maurizio Arrivabene on Monday, according to La Gazzetta […]
2019 German GP rescue talks underway
Jul.25 (GMM) Germany could still have a formula one race next year. With no 2019 deal in place for Hockenheim, a wild rumour did the rounds last weekend that the Nurburgring has made a daring bid to entice Liberty Media to organise a race on the famous Nordschleife circuit. “I would love it,” Lewis Hamilton […]
Ocon not yet guaranteed Renault seat
Jul.25 (GMM) Carlos Sainz is not yet out of the running to keep his Renault seat for 2019. What is known is that Nico Hulkenberg is staying with the French works team. “I am still pleased with my decision to join Renault,” the German told Auto Hebdo. “Of course, it will still take time. Will […]
2019 to begin with testing in Bahrain
Jul.25 (GMM) F1 will kick off the 2019 season with winter testing in Bahrain. That is the claim of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, revealing that the risk of bad weather in Spain is the reason for the decision. That risk has risen even more for 2019 because next season is slated to begin in […]
Italy slams Vettel after ‘devastating’ crash
Jul.24 (GMM) The Italian press has slammed Sebastian Vettel for throwing away the win at Hockemheim. The German driver was on the way to victory at his home circuit before sliding his Ferrari into the barrier in slippery conditions. “That was a dark moment in his career,” said 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg. “He had […]
Lawrence Stroll buys Force India – report
Aug.24 (GMM) Lance Stroll looks set to switch from ailing Williams to Force India in 2019. Not just that, his billionaire father and financier Lawrence Stroll has reportedly bought the Silverstone based team as well. Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport claims the day after the German grand prix was a crucial one for Force India, […]
Miami delay means Hockenheim talks back on
Jul.24 (GMM) A delay in Miami could have reignited Hockenheim’s chances of staying on the F1 calendar. It has now been confirmed that the 2019 schedule will not include an inaugural street race in Miami. “We have decided to postpone sign-off until later in the summer, with the aim of running the first Miami grand […]
Red Bull-Honda aiming for ‘very top’ – Mateschitz
Jul.23 (GMM) Dietrich Mateschitz thinks Red Bull can go to “the very top” with its new Honda engines for 2019. Notwithstanding the McLaren debacle, Honda developed a harmonious relationship with Toro Rosso this year, and now the senior Red Bull team is signing up. “In the last few years, we have been among the top […]
Kubica denies 2019 Haas talks
Jul.23 (GMM) Robert Kubica has denied reports he could be set to drive for Haas in 2019. Currently the Williams reserve, former BMW and Renault driver Kubica has also been linked with Force India for next year. “I do not read gossip,” the Pole told Eleven Sports at Hockenheim. “I have always preferred to do […]