Jul.3 (GMM) Troublesome kerbs have been causing a stir this weekend in Austria. Several cars, including that of championship leader Nico Rosberg, have had suspension destroyed over the controversial, yellow and high ‘baguette’ kerbs at the Red Bull Ring. Even the track owner, Red Bull, is not happy, with the energy drink marque’s Dr Helmut […]
Category: Recent stories
Austrian Grand Prix -Qualifying
Hamilton on Pole with a 1:07.922 from Rosberg (+0.543), Hulkenberg (+1.363), Vettel (+1.859), Button (+1.978), Raikkonen (+1.979), Ricciardo (+2.058), Bottas (+2.518), Verstappen (+3.231) & Massa (+4.055) Q3 started wet then quickly dried with lap times tumbling dramatically at the end of the session. Knocked out of Q2: Gutierrez, Wehrlein, Grosjean, Alonso, Sainz and Perez (Hamilton […]
Austrian Grand Prix -Saturday Practice
Vettel quickest with a 1:07.098 from Raikkonen (+0.136), Hamilton (+0.210), Ricciardo (+0.541), Verstappen (+0.663), Bottas (+0.716), Massa (+0.733), Hulkenberg (+1.187), Button (+1.206) & Alonso (+1.229). Perez, Gutierrez, Wehrlein, Grosjean, Magnussen, Kvyat, Palmer, Sainz, Haryanto, Ericsson, Nasr and Rosberg make the rest of the field. Rosberg crashes heavily due to a suspension failure during the […]
Sauber buyout close to ‘official announcement’
Jul.2 (GMM) Sauber is closing on a deal to bail the Swiss team out of its perilous financial situation. This week, it emerged that unpaid employee salaries for May and June had suddenly been paid, amid reports an international investment group is about to buy Sauber. “Obviously there is a change in atmosphere because now […]
Row brewing over Ecclestone’s income proposal
Jul.2 (GMM) A row over the future of F1’s income distribution system is brewing. A few days ago, Bernie Ecclestone declared that Toto Wolff should not get ready to bank Mercedes’ huge championship ‘bonus’ payment because he wants to rethink the entire system. “He can’t do that,” Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko told Brazil’s Globo […]
Red Bull, Kvyat, not ready to decide future
Jul.2 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat has indicated he could be open to staying at Toro Rosso in 2017. After his shock demotion from Red Bull Racing, the disappointed Russian hinted he intended to leave the energy drink stable altogether next year. But Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s driver programme chief, and now Toro Rosso boss Franz […]
James Key departure would be a blow – Sainz
Jul.2 (GMM) The departure of James Key would be a blow to Toro Rosso, according to Carlos Sainz. Although Briton Key recently played down rumours he is being coveted elsewhere in pitlane as he has a long-term contract, the rumours are swirling once again this weekend in Austria. Asked if that worries him, Spaniard Sainz […]
Massa hints at Williams pay-cut
Jul.2 (GMM) Felipe Massa has hinted he might take a pay-cut in order to continue his F1 career into 2017. Williams is openly re-thinking its lineup of the veteran Brazilian alongside Finn Valtteri Bottas. Asked in Austria by Brazil’s UOL if a cut to his estimated EUR 4 million retainer might be on the cards, […]
FIA did Halo extraction test in Austria
Jul.2 (GMM) Despite some early fanfare in Austria, problems on Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari meant the titanium ‘Halo 2’ did not make its practice debut on Friday. But the FIA has been working on it in the background anyway, it now emerges. Auto Motor und Sport reports that a mechanic was sat at the wheel of […]
Pirelli hints pressures could come down now
Jul.2 (GMM) Pirelli has indicated that the FIA closing a loophole could mean exorbitantly high tyre pressures can be eased in the forthcoming races. F1’s governing body has put a stop to teams heating the wheel assembly prior to the tyres being fitted on the grid, which had allowed those tyres to be inflated less […]
Magnussen confident he will stay at Renault
Jul.2 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen said he is feeling “no stress” over his future in F1. The Dane has been arguing that Renault should give up on its uncompetitive 2016 car in order to focus fully on the new regulations. Some have inferred that means Magnussen is feeling confident about being retained for a second season […]
A bad day for Hamilton in Austria
Jul.2 (GMM) It was not a good start to the weekend for world champion Lewis Hamilton in Austria. Bidding to close his points gap to Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, the Briton had to admit after Friday practice that so far he is “off the pace”. And Hamilton’s rivals then began to round on him in […]
Austrian Grand Prix – 2nd Friday Practice
Rosberg quickest with a 1:07.967 from Hamilton (+0.019), Hulkenberg (+0.613), Vettel (+0.622), Ricciardo (+0.682), Sainz (+0.746), Verstappen (+0.794), Raikkonen (+0.853), Bottas (+0.974) & Button (+1.027). Alonso, Massa, Kvyat, Perez, Magnussen, Palmer, Wehrlein, Gutierrez, Ericsson, Grosjean, Nasr and Haryanto make the rest of the field The session started dry then heavy rain arrived and towards the […]
Wolff flags ‘multi-year’ deal for Rosberg
Jul.1 (GMM) Toto Wolff has flagged a new “multi-year” contract with Nico Rosberg. Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda hinted at a new two-year contract for the championship leader last week, but German Rosberg denied anything is signed. “With myself, Gerhard Berger and Niki Lauda, you have three Austrians in the room negotiating and it’s difficult,” […]
FIA moves to stop tyre pressure loophole
Jul.1 (GMM) As predicted by an F1 pundit, the FIA has quickly closed a loophole allowing teams to minimise tyre pressures. It emerged after Baku that Mercedes and Red Bull were leading the charge with sophisticated axle heating equipment that allows tyres to be minimally inflated on the grid. Jenson Button said on Friday that […]
Grosjean sure Dallara fixing Haas problems
Jul.1 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has defended Haas’ chassis-making partner Dallara, after a series of wing failures in 2016. “We have made serious efforts to stop this problem so hopefully it will not happen again,” the new American team’s French driver, having criticised Haas following the most recent front wing failure, said in Austria. Haas is […]
International group set to buy Sauber – report
Jul.1 (GMM) Sauber is reportedly on the cusp of being sold. We reported earlier that amid a troubled campaign for the financially struggling Swiss team, the 300 staff at Hinwil have now been paid for May and June. “We are in the process of a comprehensive solution,” confirmed team boss and co-owner Monisha Kaltenborn, speaking […]
Vettel takes penalty, Hamilton expects to follow suit
Jul.1 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s Austrian GP campaign has taken an early hit as he will drop five places down the grid due to a gearbox change. Reports indicate metal debris was detected inside the unit and will be changed, with a Ferrari spokesman confirming the news. “I called Sebastian to tell him and he said […]
Massa says he will decide F1 future
Jul.1 (GMM) Felipe Massa insists he is in control of his next move in F1, as his current Williams contract runs out. Rivals Jenson Button and Daniil Kvyat are among drivers linked with the Brazilian veteran’s current seat, but 35-year-old Massa said he will not just sit back and wait for decisions to be made. […]
Sainz should be happy with Toro Rosso news – Alonso
Jul.1 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says his young countryman Carlos Sainz should not be disappointed he is staying at Toro Rosso for a third year in 2017. Team owner Red Bull has taken up its option on the Spaniard, even though he had been linked with Ferrari. “Everyone knows that if they want to negotiate with […]