Sep.29 (GMM) Lance Stroll says he is getting on with his job rather than worrying about who his teammate will be in 2018. With Felipe Massa’s future unclear, Williams has one of the highest profile cockpit vacancies for next year. Headlining the list of candidates are Robert Kubica, Paul di Resta, Jolyon Palmer, Marcus Ericsson […]
Category: Recent stories
Vandoorne happy as Honda slows 2017 development
Sep.29 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne says he is comfortable with Honda’s approach to the final six races of its McLaren adventure. After the McLaren-Honda divorce was announced in Singapore, Honda chief Yusuke Hasegawa said the Japanese marque would slow down the rate of engine improvements offered to McLaren in order to avoid grid penalties. McLaren driver […]
‘Culture’ explains F1’s Sepang demise – Ricciardo
Sep.29 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo thinks “culture” has a lot to do with F1’s demise in Malaysia. This weekend, after almost two decades on the calendar, Malaysia is farewelling its grand prix after deciding not to renew its contract with formula one. One argument given by the Malaysian government is that more spectators come to Sepang […]
Too early to predict Aston Martin-powered future – Ricciardo
Sep.29 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says it is too early to predict a Honda or Aston Martin-powered future for Red Bull. The Australian openly admits that with his contract ending late next year, he is not ruling out a move to a more competitive team. A major issue is Red Bull’s engine supplier. The current relationship […]
Alonso eyes new McLaren deal before Austin
Sep.29 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he will turn his attention towards a new contract for 2018 after the forthcoming F1 double-header in Malaysia and Japan. The Spaniard actually left Singapore a fortnight ago hinting that days spent at the McLaren factory last week would involve talks about next season. But now, he says there will […]
Driving style doesn’t match Mercedes car – Bottas
Sep.29 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has identified his driving style as the reason for his recent struggle. In recent races, although the Finn has secured a new Mercedes contract for 2018, he has struggled to match the pace of championship leader Lewis Hamilton. “In Singapore I didn’t have Lewis’ pace in either qualifying or the race,” […]
2017 championship ‘not decided yet’ – Brawn
Sep.28 (GMM) Ross Brawn has backed Sebastian Vettel’s view that the Ferrari driver is still in the title hunt. Vettel’s hopes took a big hit in Singapore, with the German widely blamed for a first-corner crash that blew out his points deficit to Lewis Hamilton to 28 points. But there are six races to go […]
Verstappen says he’s faster than Ricciardo
Sep.28 (GMM) Max Verstappen thinks he is driving better than his teammate Daniel Ricciardo this year. That is despite the fact the young Dutchman has not scored even half the amount of points compared to his fellow Red Bull driver Ricciardo. But Verstappen says it’s all about the reliability of his car. “What can I […]
‘Body language’ shows Alonso staying – Boullier
Sep.28 (GMM) Little doubt remains that Fernando Alonso is staying in F1 with McLaren next year. The Spaniard reportedly pushed for the British team to swap its Honda engines for a Renault deal for 2018. But the Spanish newspaper AS reports that it could be a month before Alonso’s decision is actually made public. “September […]
Honda to slow engine upgrades to McLaren
Sep.28 (GMM) Honda looks set to slow down the improvements to its engine made available to McLaren for the remaining races of 2017. It was confirmed in Singapore two weeks ago that the Japanese’s works partnership with McLaren will end, as Honda switches to Toro Rosso next year. Spain’s El Confidencial newspaper now quotes Honda […]
McLaren-Renault to benefit both sides in 2018 – Prost
Sep.28 (GMM) Alain Prost thinks the new McLaren-Renault alliance for 2018 will help both parties. It was finally confirmed a fortnight ago in Singapore that McLaren and Honda are splitting, with the British team tying up with Renault instead. Prost, who is a Renault advisor, says he sympathises with Honda’s struggle. “Quite honestly, even Renault […]
Vettel still believes he can beat Hamilton
Sep.28 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel does not think his championship hopes ended in Singapore. The German was widely criticised for causing the first lap crash that ultimately left him 28 points behind Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton with just six races to go. But Vettel told Sport Bild: “There are enough races left to catch up. “I am […]
Halo device to cost up to EUR 24,000 – report
Sep.27 (GMM) F1 teams are surprised about the high cost of the controversial ‘Halo’ safety devices that are mandatory for 2018. Although unpopular among many drivers, fans and insiders, the partial cockpit cover must be fitted to every car from next year. Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that, at present, three external companies have […]
Nasr admits F1 return unlikely
Sep.27 (GMM) Former Sauber driver Felipe Nasr says he wants to get back to racing next year. The Brazilian contested two seasons with the Swiss team until the end of last year, when his backer Banco do Brasil pulled out of the sport. Since then, the 25-year-old has been testing several cars. “I tested the […]
Sponsor says Kvyat out for ‘two races only’
Sep.27 (GMM) A Toro Rosso sponsor says Daniil Kvyat could be back in the car in a month. The junior Red Bull team has announced that Kvyat has been sidelined for “the next grands prix” to make way for young Frenchman Pierre Gasly. “The driver switch gives us an opportunity to make a more informed […]
F1 losing ‘toughest race’ on calendar – Hamilton
Sep.26 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton on Tuesday said F1’s “toughest race” will be missing on next year’s calendar. He is referring to Malaysia, where after almost 20 years in formula one the government has decided that 2017 will be the last race at the Sepang circuit. Sepang has become known as one of the hardest races […]
F1 to make cars louder with ‘microphone’
Sep.26 (GMM) F1 owner Liberty Media is backing an initiative to make the cars louder. Ever since the new ‘power unit’ era began in 2014, insiders and fans have complained that the loss of F1’s iconic high volume is hurting the sport. A sort of exhaust ‘megaphone’ was tested and abandoned, but last year the […]
Mercedes will not ‘cage’ polarising Hamilton
Sep.26 (GMM) Mercedes says it will continue to allow Lewis Hamilton to express his personality and opinions. In recent days, the triple world champion has continued to polarise fans with his forays into US politics, fashion, his celebrity status and even veganism. But team boss Toto Wolff said that from Mercedes’ point of view, Hamilton’s […]
Kubica not denying Williams rumours
Sep.26 (GMM) Robert Kubica has not denied speculation he is now in the running for the Williams race seat for 2018. Earlier, the former BMW and Renault driver was eyeing a return to F1 next year with Renault, following a spate of tests. But Germany’s Sport Bild said Renault ultimately opted for Carlos Sainz, after […]
F1 presses ahead with engine rule change
Sep.25 (GMM) F1 has resisted a push to call off a scheduled engine rule change for 2018. Earlier, with the end of this season now affected by a spate of confusing grid penalties, some argued that reducing the per-driver allocation of engines from 4 engines this year to 3 in 2018 was a bad idea. […]