Sep.16 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has admitted Carlos Sainz might start his new Renault adventure as soon as the next race in Malaysia. That is despite the fact the rumour was shot down by other senior personnel in Singapore. “I assume Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz will finish the season with us,” Toro Rosso chief […]
Category: Recent stories
Alonso to probe Renault before making 2018 decision
Sep.16 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he will look into Renault’s plans for 2018 before deciding whether to stay at McLaren next year. Some believe the Spaniard actively pushed for the British team to dump Honda, and that he will therefore definitely now sign up for 2018. “You don’t do engine deals solely by listening to […]
Kvyat ‘not fearing’ Toro Rosso driver shakeup
Sep.16 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he is still waiting to hear if he will be kept on board at Toro Rosso for 2018. Earlier, the Russian said he would be patient while the Red Bull junior team sorted out the identity of its engine supplier for next year. So with the Honda deal now done, […]
Rosberg to help Kubica’s F1 comeback
Sep.16 (GMM) Retired reigning world champion Nico Rosberg has joined Robert Kubica’s management team. The German announced on Twitter that he is “excited to be working with Robert” on his “return to F1”. Rosberg was on the grid when the now 32-year-old Pole last raced in F1 in 2010, but since retiring has been open […]
Red Bull’s engine future unclear
Sep.16 (GMM) With McLaren and Toro Rosso all set up with respective engines for 2018, speculative attention is now turning to the 2019 season. Specifically, the rumour in Singapore is that Toro Rosso owner Red Bull will assess Honda’s performance at the junior team next year and potentially decide to switch to Japanese power for […]
Magnussen would jump at ‘top team’ chance
Sep.15 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says Haas would not stand in his way if a top team came knocking for him. After ill-fated adventures at McLaren and Renault, the Dane landed at the American team this season on a two-year contract. “But it’s clear that I would go to a top team if I got the […]
Perez ‘about to sign 2018 contract’
Sep.15 (GMM) While new deals for Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz are getting the headlines in Singapore, three other F1 drivers are also featuring prominently on the 2018 driver ‘silly season’. Bernie Ecclestone said this week that Fernando Alonso will definitely drive a Renault-powered McLaren next year, but the Spaniard himself is quiet. “I’m relaxed, […]
Wehrlein quiet on new 2018 Sauber seat rumours
Sep.15 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein is not commenting on reports he still has a shot at keeping his Sauber seat for 2018. Two weeks ago, the German sounded pessimistic about the future, as Sauber is set to take a Ferrari-backed driver next year. And his existing teammate, Marcus Ericsson, is closely aligned with Sauber’s new owners. […]
Bottas happy as Mercedes keeps ‘options open’
Sep.15 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he is comfortable with his new one-year Mercedes contract. The Finn was an eleventh-hour signing to replace Nico Rosberg this year, but has now been given yet another one-year deal amid rumours Mercedes wants Max Verstappen for 2019. “I understand that Mercedes keeps its options open,” Bottas said in Singapore. […]
Hulkenberg laughs at F1 record in Singapore
Sep.15 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg is set to take over an unenviable record in formula one. In Singapore, the German is set to beat countryman Adrian Sutil’s mantle as the driver with the most grand prix starts – 128 – without a single podium. “I have waited a long time and worked really hard to have […]
Honda future makes Red Bull drivers nervous
Sep.15 (GMM) Red Bull and its engine supplier Renault will reportedly split after the 2018 season. The shock news emerged as the teams set up ahead of the Singapore grand prix, and just as Honda’s move from McLaren to the junior Red Bull team Toro Rosso was about to be also announced. Some reports say […]
F1 keeps engine penalties in place for now
Sep.15 (GMM) F1 has decided against immediately acting on the issue of grid penalties for engine changes. Fans and many of the sport’s insiders argue that what happened at Monza, where the grid was confusingly mashed up by a spate of complex penalties, was unacceptable. “The penalties today are completely on another level and unfair […]
Palmer pushing to keep 2017 Renault seat
Sep.15 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer says he intends to keep his Renault seat at least for the rest of the 2017 season. Although confirmation is still lacking, strong rumours in Singapore suggest the French team wants to kick off its new 2018 lineup of Carlos Sainz alongside Nico Hulkenberg as early as the next race in […]
Honda still ‘committed’ to F1 – Carey
Sep.14 (GMM) Chase Carey thinks Honda remain “committed” to formula one. That is despite the fact it is believed McLaren will imminently confirm its split with the Japanese engine supplier, after three years of struggle. However, even FIA president Jean Todt and Liberty Media’s Ross Brawn are believed to have intervened, in order to help […]
Kvyat letting Toro Rosso focus on Honda news
Sep.14 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he is happy to wait for news about his future in F1. The Russian touched down in Singapore for this weekend’s race fielding questions about his Toro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz’s strongly-rumoured switch to Renault. “It’s perfect for me,” Kvyat smiled. “I don’t have to answer any stupid questions.” It […]
2018 engine rule change ‘a mistake’ – Lauda
Sep.14 (GMM) Mercedes has now backed Red Bull in pushing for a change to the engine rules for 2018. Earlier, with swathes of penalties raining confusion over the order of the grids at recent races, Red Bull’s Christian Horner argued for a change for next year. In 2018, drivers are scheduled to make do with […]
Pirelli chief tips Ferrari to win in Singapore
Sep.14 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel could reclaim his lead of the world championship this weekend in Singapore. That is the view of Marco Tronchetti Provera, who is the CEO of F1’s official tyre supplier Pirelli. The Italian admits that although Pirelli remains neutral, he is happy Ferrari has caught up with world champions Mercedes this year. […]
Buemi’s F1 absence ‘a scandal’ – Prost
Sep.14 (GMM) F1 legend Alain Prost says it’s “a scandal” that Sebastien Buemi is no longer on the grid. Since losing his Toro Rosso seat, the now 28-year-old Swiss became a top sports car and Formula E driver, and in July helped Pirelli test F1 tyres at Paul Ricard. Also in July, there were rumours […]
Mercedes keeping ‘options open’ for 2019 – Wolff
Sep.14 (GMM) A new one-year contract for Valtteri Bottas has kindled fresh speculation Max Verstappen could be headed to Mercedes for 2019. Team boss Toto Wolff, who admits to having coffee with Red Bull driver Verstappen’s father Jos at Monza, confirmed that Finn Bottas’ newly-announced deal is for 2018 only. “We are very happy with […]
Ricciardo to consider leaving Red Bull after 2018
Sep.14 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says he will consider leaving Red Bull if the energy drink owned team can’t deliver him a title challenging car in 2018. The Australian has driven for the team since 2014, and before that Red Bull’s junior outfit Toro Rosso. But he told the Sun newspaper that as he will be […]