May 30 (GMM) Red Bull has made clear yet again that it wants Daniel Ricciardo to stay at the team. While Max Verstappen struggles, Australian Ricciardo is in top form but out of contract at the end of 2018. “He’s made himself a few million more expensive,” 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg smiled after Ricciardo […]
Vandoorne ‘not worried’ about losing seat
May 29 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne says he is not worried about his future at McLaren. The Belgian entered F1 as a highly rated and successful rookie, but some say he has failed to make an impact so far. In fact, McLaren is openly saying it wants Fernando Alonso to stay next year, amid speculation the […]
Verstappen says no Toro Rosso demotion
May 29 (GMM) Max Verstappen has denied claims his error-strewn 2018 season could result in his demotion to Toro Rosso. The speculation hit a high point in the wake of the Monaco grand prix, when despite having a potentially pole and race-winning car, Verstappen crashed out in practice. Every critic is now having his say, […]
Raikkonen hits back at rally switch rumours
May 29 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has hit back at reports that suggest he will quit formula one and return to world rally in 2019. Toyota Gazoo Racing bosses Tommi Makinen and Mia Miettinen were both at Monaco last weekend and spotted on Raikkonen’s yacht. “Kimi could be a Toyota (rally) driver,” Miettinen said, “but first […]
FIA ‘threw Mercedes under a bus’ – Whiting
May 29 (GMM) Toto Wolff has accused the FIA’s Charlie Whiting of throwing Mercedes “under a bus”. Doubts about the legality of Ferrari’s 2018 car have subsided after comprehensive checks in Barcelona and Monaco. But in clarifying that Ferrari has the green light, FIA race director Whiting revealed that it was James Allison and Lorenzo […]
F1 must remain ‘technological challenge’ – Pirelli
May 29 (GMM) F1 must remain a technological challenge if Pirelli will stay beyond its current contract. That is the claim of the Italian tyre manufacturer’s CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera, as F1 reaches a crossroads regarding the regulations for the future. “If the challenge continues to be technological, giving the teams and drivers what they […]
Red Bull delays engine decision for another month
May 29 (GMM) Red Bull will make Renault wait even longer to find out if it intends to use the French manufacturer’s F1 power unit in 2019. Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul is frustrated that the energy drink owned team is stalling over its decision to potentially switch to Honda power. “I do not understand their […]
New York not ready for F1 race
May 29 (GMM) New York does not look ready to join Miami as another US destination on the F1 calendar. It is now almost certain that Miami will become the second US-based grand prix next year, alongside Austin. But Liberty Media had also targeted New York. Christian Sylt, the F1 business journalist for Forbes, revealed […]
FIA to keep checking Ferrari legality in Canada
May 28 (GMM) A legality saga involving Ferrari’s 2018 car looks set to run and run. After monitoring hardware and software was installed following a round of speculation about the car’s turbo and battery systems, the FIA gave Ferrari a clean bill of health in Monaco. But race director Charlie Whiting said more monitoring in […]
Alonso watched Indy 500 with ‘numb’ F1 fans
May 28 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says one of the best things about Monaco GP race day was watching the Indy 500 afterwards. The Spaniard therefore joined the ranks of people critical of the questionable spectacle of Sunday’s race in the Principality. “At least it (watching the Indy 500) was fun, especially because the people who […]
Verstappen takes ‘hard lesson’ from Monaco
May 28 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he will take the “hard lessons” on board from Monaco and other races so far in 2018. The young Dutchman had a horror Monaco, missing qualifying after a crash, receiving widespread criticism and then watching his teammate Daniel Ricciardo celebrate the pole and win. “These are painful moments,” Verstappen […]
Former F1 driver loses interest in sport
May 28 (GMM) One former F1 driver has counted himself out of those who call themselves fans of the sport. Over a decade ago, Sergey Zlobin became the first Russian test driver in F1 with a role at Minardi. But now he tells Russia’s Sport-Express that he doesn’t even watch formula one on TV. “I […]
Ocon hints at Mercedes ‘team orders’
May 28 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has hinted team orders may be in place between Force India and Mercedes. After the Monaco grand prix, a reporter for Sky Italia asked Force India driver Ocon if he “made life too easy” when works Mercedes driver Hamilton passed him in the race. “I’m a Mercedes driver,” Ocon, a […]
Red Bull ‘a good place’ for Ricciardo – Hamilton
May 28 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton thinks Monaco winner Daniel Ricciardo should consider staying at Red Bull. Just as his current contract is set to run out, Australian Ricciardo is riding high and linked with potential moves to Ferrari or Mercedes. “I chatted with him today,” Hamilton said after Monaco. “I told him he’s doing a […]
Monaco should change F1 circuit – Hamilton
May 28 (GMM) World champion Lewis Hamilton thinks Monaco should think about tweaking its iconic F1 street circuit. Many drivers agreed after Sunday’s race in the Principality that the race was not exciting. “If I was bored I don’t want to image the fans at home watching the race,” said Force India driver Sergio Perez. […]
F1 race promoters want lower fees – Wolff
May 27 (GMM) Toto Wolff says it is clear F1 race promoters want to renegotiate their contracts with the sport. Many promoters who negotiated their agreements and fees with now-ousted F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone are now seeking better terms under the Liberty Media regime. In Monaco, Liberty met with the race promoters. Baku, Russia, Abu […]
Renault frustrated as Red Bull delays engine decision
May 27 (GMM) Renault is now pressing hard for Red Bull to make a decision about its engine supplier for 2019. Although long-term partners, the relationship has been fraught for years and Red Bull is now considering a switch to Honda power. Renault has been pressing Red Bull to make a decision in May, but […]
Vandoorne only needs more time to shine – Wolff
May 27 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne only needs time to find his feet in formula one. That is the view of Toto Wolff, responding to those like 1996 world champion Damon Hill who think Belgian Vandoorne has so far failed to “get people to say ‘Wow’.” And Vandoorne’s Belgian compatriot Thierry Boutson said: “I’m his biggest […]
Bottas’ agent not commenting on 2019 contract rumour
May 27 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas’ agent has refused to comment on speculation the Finn has now agreed a new contract beyond 2018. There have been rumours Mercedes might replace him with Daniel Ricciardo or Esteban Ocon, but Finland’s Ilta Sanomat believes Bottas will definitely stay in 2019. Citing a source, the newspaper said it believes […]
Verstappen needs new ‘brain’ – Lauda
May 27 (GMM) F1 experts say Max Verstappen needs a change of approach if he is to succeed. The Dutchman missed qualifying at Monaco after a practice crash — yet another crucial mistake in 2018. “His talent is envied by every driver,” former F1 driver Felipe Massa said in Monaco. “But he needs to act […]