Oct.23 (GMM) Two F1 team bosses are worried about further over-regulating how drivers do battle. In the drivers’ briefing in Austin, multiple experienced drivers hit out at Max Verstappen’s aggression and asked for a rule prohibiting changes of direction under braking. The FIA’s Charlie Whiting duly responded, saying such driving could from now on be […]
Category: Recent stories
Lauda hits out at Ecclestone’s Rosberg comments
Oct.23 (GMM) Niki Lauda has hit out at F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, insisting his recent comments about Nico Rosberg are “very unfair”. As Rosberg closes on his first title, Ecclestone said he would prefer if Lewis Hamilton won a third consecutive crown because “there is nothing to write about” Mercedes’ German driver. But Lauda, an […]
Andretti still prefers F1 over Formula E
Oct.23 (GMM) Motor racing legend Mario Andretti says he still prefers F1 over the pinnacle of motor racing’s most modern of alternatives. Today, his son Michael – who also raced in F1 – runs a Formula E team, but 76-year-old Mario says he is no fan of the all-electric single seater series. “Frankly it does […]
Next piece of 2017 driver puzzle will be Bottas
Oct.23 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas will be the next piece of the 2017 driver puzzle to slot into place. Authoritative media sources, including Auto Motor und Sport and Denmark’s Ekstra Bladet, report that the Finn has definitely signed a new deal to stay at Williams. Sources say the contract, for just one year rather than the […]
Next Red Bull youngsters not ready for F1 – Horner
Oct.23 (GMM) The 2017 grid is continuing to take shape, as the driver ‘silly season’ edges more crucial steps forward at the scene of the US grand prix. The latest piece of the puzzle to definitely slot into place for next year is Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso, after a long period of uncertainty over […]
More US races could mean ‘pain’ for Austin GP
Oct.22 (GMM) US grand prix promoter Bobby Epstein has warned that more races in America could actually hurt F1 initially. With US media tycoon John Malone’s Liberty Media taking over the sport, there is talk of an expansion of the calendar beyond 21 races and potentially more in the States. The Guardian newspaper said Los […]
Rivals want new rule amid Verstappen controversy
Oct.22 (GMM) Max Verstappen found himself the hot topic of conversation yet again, this time behind closed doors during a lengthy drivers’ briefing in Austin. The latest controversy triggered by the young Dutchman’s aggressive style was triggered by his defensive move under braking during his late-race duel with Lewis Hamilton. One of the apparent problems […]
Palmer, Magnussen clinging to F1 careers
Oct.22 (GMM) Renault drivers Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer are now clinging onto their F1 careers. According to paddock rumours, British rookie Palmer has already been told by team management that he will not be needed beyond next month’s Abu Dhabi finale. He said in Austin that he thinks Renault do not “appreciate” his and […]
Brawn not ruling out F1 return
Oct.22 (GMM) Ross Brawn could be set to sensationally return to formula one. The highly respected former technical chief and team boss caused a stir this week when excerpts of his new book blamed his departure on Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, Niki Lauda and Paddy Lowe. “I was surprised,” Wolff told the Telegraph in Austin, “because […]
Alonso unmoved over 10-year title anniversary
Oct.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he is unmoved by the ten-year anniversary of his second and last world championship. Still regarded as arguably the best driver on the grid today, the Spaniard has failed to win a third title since winning back-by-back with Renault in 2006. “Whether it’s ten years, five or 12, it’s just […]
Rosberg deserves title more than Hamilton – Massa
Oct.22 (GMM) There is “no doubt” that Nico Rosberg deserves to be the 2016 champion. That is the claim of F1 veteran Felipe Massa, as the paddock watches on for the final four-race run for the crown between Mercedes’ warring drivers. “Nico has had a better year than (Lewis) Hamilton,” the Williams driver told the […]
Bahrain pre-season test plan scrapped
Oct.22 (GMM) The push to have pre-season testing take place in Bahrain early next year has failed. Two tests in Barcelona had been provisionally scheduled, but Pirelli – strongly supported by Mercedes – was pushing for at least one outing in the guaranteed warmer and drier climes of Bahrain. “The way the regulations are written, […]
Sauber eyes driver call before season end
Oct.21 (GMM) Monisha Kaltenborn says Sauber is in no rush to announce its driver lineup for 2017. With seats at Force India, Renault, Williams, Manor and Toro Rosso also still technically open, the F1 driver ‘silly season’ is now in high gear. But when asked if Sauber might make a move soon, team boss Kaltenborn […]
Wehrlein now plays down Force India link
Oct.21 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein has played down suggestions he will definitely fill the vacant spot left by Nico Hulkenberg at Force India for 2017. Many in the paddock believe the Mercedes-backed Manor driver is assured the seat with the Silverstone based team, but Wehrlein said in Austin that a deal is not done. “It’s not […]
Magnussen will not extend Renault option again
Oct.21 (GMM) Renault’s current drivers say they are still in the dark as to whether they will be kept or dropped by the French works team for 2017. But the fact that Nico Hulkenberg has signed means that either Kevin Magnussen or Jolyon Palmer – or both – do not have a future in yellow. […]
Toto and Susie Wolff expecting first child
Oct.21 (GMM) Toto Wolff is set to become the next father in the F1 paddock. Bild newspaper in Germany reports that the Mercedes team chief’s wife Susie, the former Williams test driver, is pregnant with their first child. “Yes, it’s true,” Wolff, 44, confirmed in Austin. “My wife Susie is pregnant and we are expecting […]
Vettel ‘important’ for Ferrari – Montezemolo
Oct.21 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has brushed aside talk about his future at Ferrari. With sections of the Italian press saying the German as well as the Maranello team are in ‘crisis’, speculation Vettel may leave Ferrari after 2017 had arisen. So when asked if any contract talks had taken place, Vettel said in Austin: “I […]
Kvyat not denying Force India rumours
Oct.21 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat is not denying paddock rumours in Austin that he is in the running to replace Nico Hulkenberg at Force India for 2017. The young Russian and current Toro Rosso driver has had an up and down season in the Red Bull camp, but he has seemed back in form and happier […]
Sainz not willing to wait for Red Bull seat
Oct.21 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he doesn’t want to be a back-up Red Bull driver for the rest of his career. The Spaniard had eyed a move from Toro Rosso to the senior team, and was then short-listed by the works Renault team for 2017. But Red Bull is keeping him at Toro Rosso, not […]
Hamilton behaving better before Austin GP
Oct.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton said ahead of the US grand prix that he will “try to take it like a man” if he is beaten to the 2016 world championship. Now 33 points behind Nico Rosberg with four races to go, the reigning world champion caused a stir at Suzuka with his press conference antics, […]