May 14 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne might need to shed his “nice boy” image in order to thrive in formula one. That is the view of Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion who was once seven time world champion Michael Schumacher’s closest rival. Now, Hill says Belgian Vandoorne’s talent is undisputed, but he might need to […]
Category: Recent stories
Mercedes chiefs want me to stay – Hamilton
May 14 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says even Mercedes’ top bosses are on his side regarding the extension of his contract. Whether the reigning world champion stays at the German team beyond 2018 is technically not clear. But after winning in Barcelona, Hamilton told DPA news agency: “We are not far from finalising things. “It will […]
FIA should make quicker technical decisions – Lauda
May 14 (GMM) Niki Lauda has urged the FIA to speed up its process of deciding whether parts of F1 cars are illegal. In Barcelona, Ferrari arrived with winglets attached to its new Halo-mounted mirror supports, but the FIA said they will have to be removed for Monaco. “We think it’s about the interpretation of […]
Vettel concerned after Barcelona tyre struggle
May 14 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is concerned but not panicked after falling even further behind in the world championship battle in Spain. The gap to Lewis Hamilton is now 17 points after Barcelona, although unlike in Baku the reason this time is that Mercedes was genuinely faster than Ferrari. Vettel suspects it could be because […]
Williams will struggle to replace Martini – Lowe
May 13 (GMM) Paddy Lowe has admitted that Williams will struggle to replace departing sponsor Martini for 2019. Martini announced it is leaving the British team at the worst possible time, just before Williams’ performance badly slumped and designer Ed Wood inexplicably left. When asked about Martini’s departure and how the money will be replaced, […]
McLaren takes ‘big step’ in Barcelona
May 13 (GMM) McLaren says it has taken a “big step” in Barcelona. The team touched down in Spain with what is effectively a ‘B’ spec car, featuring a radical nose design. Fernando Alonso then qualified 8th. “So far we’ve qualified 13th on average,” the Spaniard said. “This is a big step forward. Everything feels […]
FIA tells Ferrari to remove Halo winglets
May 13 (GMM) Ferrari has been told to remove the winglets currently attached to the 2018 car’s Halo device after Sunday’s Spanish grand prix. The FIA said recently that teams are allowed to attach the rearview mirrors to the controversial Halo concept. But Ferrari arrived in Barcelona also with winglets on the Halo. “The FIA […]
Vettel hits out at 2019 rule changes
May 13 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has hit out at the aerodynamic changes set to debut in formula one next year. Red Bull’s Christian Horner has already blasted the “half baked” new front wing design intended to boost overtaking next year. “I agree. I find it a bit comical,” Ferrari’s Vettel said in Barcelona. “In 2009 […]
Wolff denies Pirelli helped Mercedes
May 13 (GMM) Toto Wolff has scoffed at suggestions Pirelli favoured the German team with a tweak to the 2018 tyre design. In Barcelona, despite Ferrari having the fastest car in recent races, Mercedes burst back to the front row of the grid for the Spanish grand prix. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel thinks it could be […]
Lauda tips Mercedes to keep drivers
May 13 (GMM) Niki Lauda says he is confident Mercedes will head into 2019 with the same drivers. Currently, talks with Lewis Hamilton have been delayed and there is speculation Valtteri Bottas might be replaced by Daniel Ricciardo, a Mercedes junior, or even Fernando Alonso. But boss Toto Wolff played down the Alonso rumours. “I […]
Vandoorne not looking to leave McLaren
May 13 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne insists he is not eyeing a move to another F1 team. The Belgian entered F1 as a highly rated rookie, but so far McLaren has struggled both with Honda and now Renault power. Vandoorne’s reputation is arguably being damaged, also because he is alongside Fernando Alonso, who is normally ahead […]
Sainz future depends on Red Bull talks – Abiteboul
May 13 (GMM) Renault has admitted it might lose Carlos Sainz at the end of 2018. Boss Cyril Abiteboul told Marca sports newspaper that the Spaniard is a “potential world champion”. But he is only ‘on loan’ from Red Bull — and Renault is considering switching from Renault to Honda power for 2019. “It is […]
Liberty refunds money after F1 streaming launch
May 13 (GMM) F1 fans are getting a refund after a shambolic debut for Liberty Media’s new live streaming service. Following a delay, F1 TV was finally launched in Barcelona, but Germany’s Auto Bild reports that the transmission has been problematic. “We acknowledge the problems with the live stream on F1 TV Pro and will […]
Boss defends F1 ‘bad boy’ Magnussen
May 12 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen’s boss has once again defended the F1 ‘bad boy’. The Haas driver has been involved in a spate of recent run-ins with fellow drivers, including what the FIA called a “dangerous” block on Charles Leclerc in Barcelona practice. “Everyone feels entitled to criticise Kevin at the moment,” boss Gunther Steiner […]
Mercedes opens door to Ricciardo
May 12 (GMM) Toto Wolff has opened the door to Daniel Ricciardo at Mercedes. Earlier, the Mercedes boss appeared to rule out the Australian for 2019, saying: “If you’re happy with your wife, you don’t look at other women.” Wolff was hinting that if Lewis Hamilton or Valtteri Bottas are replaced, youngsters Esteban Ocon or […]
Mick Schumacher aims to win F3 title
May 12 (GMM) Mick Schumacher says he is aiming to win this year’s European F3 championship. Last year, the 19-year-old son of seven time world champion Michael Schumacher finished the series 12th. “Of course, as a driver, you always set the championship as the goal,” said the German. “I have a very good feeling, I […]
Vettel denies Ferrari sandbagging in Spain
May 12 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has denied that Ferrari is “hiding the game” in Barcelona. Ferrari has seemed the fastest car overall in 2018, but in practice for the Spanish grand prix Mercedes and Red Bull were apparently ahead. “I think everything is close, but I don’t know what Ferrari’s pace is,” said world champion […]
Sauber aims to replace ousted Zander
May 12 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur has admitted Sauber is aiming to replace ousted technical boss Jorg Zander as soon as possible. It is believed Zander was let go over a spate of alcohol-related incidents. “I’m the boss and I decided that this decision was right for our future,” team boss Vasseur said. Asked if it […]
Driving 2018 Williams ‘not fun’ – Kubica
May 12 (GMM) Robert Kubica says driving Williams’ 2018 car is “not fun”. For the first time since the end of the 2010 season, the Pole appeared in an official practice session ahead of this weekend’s Spanish grand prix. “I was surprised that I was not more emotional. It felt normal,” he said afterwards. “But […]
Alonso plays down F1 quit rumours
May 12 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has played down rumours he might quit at the end of the year. The Spaniard said on Thursday that he is no longer desperate to win grands prix. He also said winning Le Mans later this year would mean more than another victory in F1. “I’m not worried,” McLaren executive […]