Jun.23 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has denied that ‘Freddo-gate’ threatens to further destabilise McLaren. An odd scandal has broken out after former team boss Martin Whitmarsh revealed that disgruntled staff members would like Eric Boullier and Zak Brown to step down. “He (Whitmarsh) has the right to his opinion, but he is poorly informed,” a McLaren […]
Category: Recent stories
Ricciardo to ‘talk to Honda’ before decision
Jun.23 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says he will “talk to Honda” as he makes his decision about which team to drive for in 2019. After Red Bull made the decision to swap Renault for Honda engines next year, Australian Ricciardo is now weighing up offers from Red Bull, McLaren and perhaps Ferrari and Mercedes. “Next week, […]
Raikkonen not denying Ferrari-Leclerc rumours
Jun.22 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has not denied the latest rumours about his future. Recently, the Finn was linked with a full-time move to rallying for 2019. Now, the rumour in the Paul Ricard paddock is that Ferrari is moving towards replacing him with junior driver Charles Leclerc. Leclerc’s current boss, Sauber chief Frederic Vasseur, told […]
Whiting plays down Paul Ricard surface concerns
Jun.22 (GMM) Charlie Whiting has played down concerns about Paul Ricard’s ‘patchwork’ track surface. Although the French venue has prepared itself for the first grand prix in the country for a decade, drivers and engineers were alarmed when they inspected the surface on Thursday. What they found is patches and strips of mismatched and repaired […]
New Mercedes engine facing further delay
Jun.22 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton may be facing the next several grands prix without Mercedes’ new specification engine. That is despite the fact that, following the delay in Montreal, other Mercedes customers may already have the ‘spec 2’ power unit fitted for Paul Ricard. “Yes, we will have the updated engine,” Force India’s Sergio Perez said […]
‘No concerns’ about Honda switch – Verstappen
Jun.22 (GMM) Max Verstappen sounds enthused about Red Bull’s Honda-powered future. That is despite the fact that many in the paddock are wondering why a top team would sign up with a Japanese manufacturer whose recent three-year collaboration with McLaren failed so badly. “Yes I’m surprised,” said Sergio Perez in France. “I didn’t really think […]
Magnussen not focusing on court case
Jun.22 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he is not focusing on a court case involving his former manager. The Danish press is full of reports about a case brought by Dorte Riis Madsen, who is claiming millions after being ousted by the Haas driver. That case is now in trial, and will continue in Copenhagen on […]
Ricciardo not denying $20m McLaren offer
Jun.22 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has not denied that McLaren has offered a whopping $20 million a year for him to switch to the beleaguered British team. “Daniel is the king of the market,” Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko told Sport Bild. “McLaren offers him more every week.” It is just another sign that McLaren is […]
Abiteboul ‘happy’ about Red Bull-Honda deal
Jun.21 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul says he understands why Red Bull decided to drop its supply of Renault engines. The energy drink owned team announced this week that it will instead use Honda power in 2019 and 2020. Asked by L’Equipe if he is relieved or disappointed now that the news is finally out, Renault boss […]
Ocon on standby for Mercedes future
Jun.21 (GMM) Esteban Ocon is still on standby for a future at the Mercedes works team. Currently, the talented Frenchman is at Mercedes-powered customer Force India, but on standby should Mercedes call him out of its driver development programme for the top F1 seat. At present, neither Lewis Hamilton nor Valtteri Bottas are under contract […]
Alonso’s manager plays down Indycar talk
Jun.21 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s manager has played down speculation the Spaniard is weighing up between formula one or Indycar for 2019. After winning Le Mans, the double world champion only now needs to win the Indy 500 to secure his target of the motor racing ‘triple crown’. One rumour is that Alonso is tired of […]
Alonso, Brown defend current McLaren era
Jun.21 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has described 2018 as a “transition year” for McLaren. In recent days, rumours of a staff revolt at the British team have abounded, with former boss Martin Whitmarsh saying he is prepared to make a comeback. Whitmarsh is critical of current bosses Eric Boullier and Zak Brown, saying the former has […]
Slavica Ecclestone happy with Paul Ricard track
Jun.21 (GMM) Paul Ricard owner Slavica Ecclestone says she is happy with the new French grand prix venue. Her ex-husband Bernie Ecclestone, now the former F1 supremo, had to hand over the track to Slavica as per their divorce agreement. Recently, she attended her circuit for an inspection just “out of curiosity”, along with former […]
Vettel not worried about thinner Pirelli tyres
Jun.21 (GMM) New world championship leader Sebastian Vettel says he is confident ahead of the first French grand prix in a decade. Having captured the lead in the drivers’ title standings by a single point in Canada, the German says his 2018 Ferrari “works wherever we go”. As for the Paul Ricard circuit, he admitted […]
Hamilton says he still loves racing
Jun.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has given a strong sign that he is motivated not only to win this year’s world championship, but then keep racing beyond 2018. The long delay in the Briton’s new Mercedes contract has triggered speculation he might actually call it a day in order to focus on his other hobbies including […]
Mallya denies Force India sale rumours
Jun.20 (GMM) A source close to Vijay Mallya has denied the latest wave of speculation about his F1 team Force India. Recently, the boss of British energy drink Rich Energy said it has agreed a deal “in principle” to buy the Silverstone based team. At the same time, rumours are swirling that title sponsor BWT, […]
Toro Rosso to keep ‘works’ Honda status
Jun.20 (GMM) Toro Rosso will not lose its works status now that senior team Red Bull has signed up to also be powered by Honda engines from 2019. That is the news from Honda’s F1 general manager Masashi Yamamoto, following Tuesday’s official announcement. Toro Rosso, a smaller team, has been revelling in its so-called ‘works’ […]
Renault forced early Honda decision – Marko
Jun.20 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says Renault forced Red Bull into making an early call about its 2019 engine supplier. Red Bull wanted another race to assess existing supplier Renault’s new specification of power unit against Honda’s. Instead, the announcement was made slightly unexpectedly on Tuesday. “Actually we wanted to announce the decision after France,” […]
Red Bull set for Honda switch – L’Equipe
Jun.19 (GMM) Red Bull has decided to switch from Renault to Honda power for 2019. After lengthy delays and high tension between the energy drink-owned outfit and its existing supplier, L’Equipe reports that the decision has now been made in Honda’s favour. The authoritative French publication cited “sources” who said the news will be announced […]
Indy 500 ‘high priority’ again – Alonso
Jun.19 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says tackling the Indy 500 yet again is now a “high priority”. When the Spaniard announced he was going to contest last year’s fabled US-based oval race, he said he was really targeting the unofficial ‘triple crown’. Comprised of the Monaco GP, Le Mans and the Indy 500, only Graham Hill […]