Jan.24 (GMM) F1 will end the controversial topic of driver weight by introducing a new rule for 2019. Driver weight has been a thorny topic in recent years, as heavier cars put more pressure on bigger drivers to slim down. But Auto Bild reports that the FIA will end the controversy for 2019 by introducing […]
Ferrari to join Mercedes with 1000hp – report
Jan.24 (GMM) Ferrari looks set to join Mercedes in knocking on the door of 1000 horse power from its 2018-spec ‘power unit’. Earlier this month, we reported that Mercedes is now just 50hp shy of the landmark four-digit power value. “If the world champions maintain their approximate development speed, 1000hp will be reached”, a correspondent […]
Force India ‘will change name’ – Szafnauer
Jan.24 (GMM) Force India will be relaunched with a different name next month, boss Otmar Szafnauer has confirmed. Earlier, British media reports claimed the Silverstone based team merely “could change” its name ahead of the 2018 season. The move comes after bosses including Vijay Mallya, who is facing extradition from Britain to face charges in […]
Wolff predicts headline after Vettel meeting
Jan.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff has played down a friendly meeting on the Austrian ski slopes with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. Before German Vettel last year re-signed with Ferrari through 2020, he was linked with a shock move to Mercedes. Now, Vettel has been spotted and photographed meeting with Mercedes team boss Wolff and Daimler CFO Bodo […]
Bratches defends F1 internet-pay TV plans
Jan.23 (GMM) Sean Bratches has defended Liberty Media’s plans to ramp up internet coverage of F1 while moving the sport away from free-to-air television. Fans have noticed recently that the trend is for new television deals with pay-TV networks, with only a limited number of races shown free-to-air. Bratches, the new F1 commercial chief, said […]
Sauber-Ferrari F1 alliance ‘visionary’ – Wolff
Jan.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he might be looking to emulate Ferrari’s move by more closely aligning with other F1 teams. The American outfit Haas is already regarded as a kind of Ferrari ‘B team’, and now the new title sponsor at Ferrari-powered Sauber for 2018 will be Alfa Romeo. “I think Sergio Marchionne and […]
Monza boss admits Italy GP future in doubt
Jan.22 (GMM) Monza boss Angelo Sticchi Damiani has admitted the future of the Italian grand prix is not secure for the future. After a period of uncertainty, the historic race is firmly on the 2018 calendar. But the boss of the Italian automobile club Aci told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “If conditions do not change […]
Kubica could be considered for 2019 – Lowe
Jan.22 (GMM) Robert Kubica could now be a contender to race for Williams in 2019. The British team’s technical boss and shareholder Paddy Lowe said he does not regret assessing the Pole’s capabilities in a series of tests, even though Kubica was ultimately given only the reserve driver role. “We organised a serious test programme […]
Manor could return to F1 – Lowdon
Jan.22 (GMM) Manor is not ruling out a return to formula one. The F1 team went out of business after 2016, switching instead to world endurance sports car racing. For 2018, Manor will contest the top-tier LMP1 category at Le Mans and takes on the services of Kimi Raikkonen’s 2017 race engineer Dave Greenwood. Asked […]
Kvyat could race at Le Mans in 2018
Jan.22 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat could add another important job to his CV in 2018. Following his departure from the Red Bull programme, Ferrari signed up the Russian to be a development driver this year. And now, the owner of the Russian bank SMP says he would like Kvyat aboard his team for the fabled Le […]
Renault first to ‘launch’ 2018 car – report
Jan.22 (GMM) Renault could become the first team to reveal its 2018 car. Mercedes revealed recently that it will ‘launch’ its championship defending contender at Silverstone on February 22, four days before official testing begins in Barcelona. Ferrari will launch its 2018 car on the same day, but only with a private event and photos […]
Bratches confirms more F1 demo events for 2018
Jan.22 (GMM) Sean Bratches has confirmed that more F1 live events will take place in 2018. Last year, every team and driver except Lewis Hamilton attended a demonstration of F1 cars in London. Bratches, the sport’s new commercial chief, said big PR events like that are “very important”. “The next events of this kind will […]
‘Big pressure’ on McLaren in 2018 – Vandoorne
Jan.19 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne says McLaren is under “big pressure” to perform in 2018. Days ago, the Belgian’s boss at the British team – Eric Boullier – insisted: “We do not feel additional pressure. “On the contrary. The team is motivated by the fact that we will have two strong rivals in Red Bull and […]
Haas-Maserati deal ‘would be good’ – Marchionne
Jan.18 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne has repeated his hint that a deal between Haas and Maserati could be on the cards. Last month, the Ferrari president sealed the deal on a title sponsorship between Fiat Chrysler brand Alfa Romeo and Sauber. Now, Marchionne has his eyes on a similar tie-up, with talks between the Ferrari ‘B […]
Toro Rosso holding Japanese culture lessons for staff
Jan.18 (GMM) Toro Rosso is looking to avoid some of the pitfalls of the ill-fated McLaren-Honda partnership. With McLaren dumping its works backing after three woeful years, Honda power is now moving to the Red Bull junior team. And boss Franz Tost said Toro Rosso is determined that the very different Japanese culture is understood […]
Boullier not worried about Renault reliability
Jan.18 (GMM) Team boss Eric Boullier says he is not worried about engine reliability for 2018. After three bad years with Honda, McLaren has switched to customer Renault power for this year. However, although Honda’s reliability was woeful, Renault finished last season also notably struggling with technical problems. Asked if that’s a worry, Boullier told […]
Former driver defends Kvyat’s new role
Jan.18 (GMM) Russia’s first F1 test driver has backed Daniil Kvyat as he is snapped up by Ferrari for 2018. Some are declaring that Red Bull refugee Kvyat’s move to a development role at Ferrari is effectively the death knell for his career. But Sergey Zlobin, who more than a decade ago became the first […]
Montreal promoter opposes Friday axe plans
Jan.18 (GMM) A race promoter says he is basically happy with Liberty Media’s new approach as the sport gets together in London this week. Liberty has convened a series of major meetings with F1 stakeholders this week, including all 21 race promoters on the 2018 grid. “Since I took over the Montreal race in 2010, […]
Kubica’s race dream still alive – Rosberg
Jan.18 (GMM) Nico Rosberg insists Robert Kubica’s dream of returning to the formula one grid remains alive. Legions of the Polish driver’s fans are disappointed that Williams elected to instead sign the heavily-sponsored Russian Sergey Sirotkin for 2018. But Kubica’s co-manager, 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, told Auto Motor und Sport that the test and […]
Sirotkin ‘stronger than Kubica’ – father
Jan.18 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin’s father says the young Russian secured the Williams seat because he was “stronger” than Robert Kubica. Many Williams, F1 and Kubica fans are disappointed and angry that the British team signed the heavily backed Sirotkin over Pole Kubica, whose F1 career was halted seven years ago due to injury. But Sirotkin’s […]