Dec.10 (GMM) Zak Brown says new McLaren principal Andreas Seidl took “the politics” out of the team in 2019. Brown, still McLaren CEO, says that when he arrived at McLaren in the wake of the Ron Dennis era, “There were many chefs in the kitchen”. “Many things were happening in the company and among the […]
McLaren enters Tour de France cycling team
Dec.10 (GMM) McLaren has teamed up to take on the top level of cycling including the Tour de France. Already entering a team in Indycar next year, the Woking based outfit has now agreed a 50-50 joint venture with Bahrain to launch the UCI cycling team Team Bahrain McLaren. The team – to wear orange […]
More pressure at Ferrari than Mercedes – Costa
Dec.10 (GMM) Despite a more than decade-long title drought, Ferrari has everything it needs to succeed again in Formula 1. That is the view of Aldo Costa, the engineering boss at Mercedes who was actually technical director at Ferrari when Kimi Raikkonen won that last Ferrari title in 2007. When he moved to Mercedes for […]
Verstappen better at dealing with ‘anger’
Dec.10 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he was “more zen” throughout the 2019 season. Although he was chided for some media comments this year, including accusing Ferrari of “cheating”, most agree that the Red Bull driver appeared to have matured this year. “This year I was a lot calmer in front of the camera. More zen,” […]
Hamilton to Ferrari ‘would not change much’
Dec.10 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari would “not change much” at the Italian team, according to Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera. Rumours are abounding that Mercedes’ new six-time world champion may be flirting with a move to Maranello for 2021. “Wherever he goes he would be good as he’s a great driver,” Tronchetti Provera told […]
F1 vows to ‘monitor’ Russian sports ban
Dec.10 (GMM) Formula 1 has vowed to “closely monitor” Russia’s new four-year ban from all sporting events. At present, it is not clear if the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ban includes the annual Russian GP or Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat. But Sochi organisers say the Formula 1 race will not be affected. “The contract […]
Ferrari still not happy with 2021 rules
Dec.10 (GMM) Ferrari is still not happy with the published rules for 2021. That is despite the fact that the Maranello team, as the only F1 outfit on the World Motor Sport Council, actually voted for them. “We voted for it, although the package still does not convince us one hundred per cent,” said team […]
Rivals using engine saga to ‘pressure’ Ferrari – boss
Dec.10 (GMM) Mattia Binotto thinks Ferrari’s rivals complained about the legality of the Italian team’s 2019 engine to “put pressure on us”. Some rival teams claimed the Maranello-made power unit suddenly became 50 horsepower better in 2019, prompting a late-season round of scrutiny by the FIA that is ongoing. “The truth is far from that […]
Red Bull has Aston Martin ‘contract’ – Marko
Dec.9 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has played down rumours that Red Bull could lose its title sponsor. “We have a contract,” said the top team official, following reports that Aston Martin could in fact be bought by Racing Point owner Lawrence Stroll. It is believed Marko was referring only to 2020. The reports suggested the […]
‘Jos Verstappen should wave Dutch GP chequer’
Dec.9 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s father should wave the traditional chequered flag at Zandvoort next year. That is the view of Dutch GP boss Jan Lammers, as it was suggested that he should be honoured with the flag-waving duties for his part in bringing F1 back to Holland. The question was asked of former F1 driver […]
Berger backs Ferrari’s ‘alpha driver’ lineup
Dec.9 (GMM) Gerhard Berger has backed Ferrari’s controversial driver lineup. Some believe Charles Leclerc has thrown quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel’s entire F1 career into doubt with his performance and attitude in 2019. The pair also clashed in Brazil, and Berger – once the great Ayrton Senna’s teammate – says it is clear that Leclerc […]
‘No signature’ for Liberty Media yet – Marko
Dec.9 (GMM) Chase Carey wants the teams to sign up for the new Concorde Agreement “as soon as possible”. The F1 CEO’s comments coincide with reports that Mercedes had secret talks with Liberty Media at the FIA prize-winning gala. Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko confirmed to Kronen Zeitung that talks are still taking place. “There […]
Villeneuve doubts Honda can win 2020 title
Dec.9 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve does not think Red Bull-Honda can win the 2020 title. A lot is riding on the team’s performance next year, as Max Verstappen will be out of contract and Honda is yet to commit to F1 beyond 2021. Outspoken 1997 world champion Villeneuve says Red Bull has a “great car”, but […]
Verstappen admits 2021 ‘opportunities’
Dec.9 (GMM) Max Verstappen has admitted there may be “opportunities” for a move to another team for 2021. At the FIA prize-giving gala, the futures of the Dutch driver as well as Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff continued to be hot topics. “Of course we want to know what each other’s plans are,” […]
Vegan Hamilton admits 5kg weight gain
Dec.9 (GMM) New six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has admitted he put on 5 kilograms this year. The Mercedes driver is an ardent supporter of veganism, telling the Malaysian magazine The Edge that it helps him to be a better athlete. “I often see messages on my Instagram saying ‘I need my protein because I […]
Webber questions Bottas ‘hunger’
Dec.9 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas may be lacking the “hunger” to beat Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. That is the view of Mark Webber, who told Britain’s Channel 4 that 2019 was “a tough season” for the Finn. Bottas has kicked off the winter season by winning an asphalt rally at Paul Ricard. He is not ruling […]
Ricciardo ‘did not make Renault better’ – Mol
Dec.9 (GMM) A respected F1 commentator has questioned the contribution to Renault made so far by Daniel Ricciardo. After a disappointing first season for the French team’s high-profile signing, Renault has now ousted its long time chassis technical boss Nick Chester. “The progress we have made on the engine is clear,” boss Cyril Abiteboul is […]
Hanoi circuit ’80pc ready’ for F1 debut
Dec.9 (GMM) Vietnam GP organisers say they will be ready for the inaugural F1 race in Hanoi. Although Hermann Tilke’s organisation is currently still working on the circuit, Vietnam GP CEO Le Ngoc Chi tells France’s Auto Hebdo: “We are 80 per cent ready.” She said work is currently taking place on the grandstands, the […]
Racing Point admits interest in Kubica
Dec.9 (GMM) Racing Point has admitted its interest in signing Robert Kubica for 2020. Earlier, it was thought the former Williams driver looked likely to take his sponsor PKN Orlen to a development and reserve role at Haas. But now Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer has admitted he also wants Kubica, who turned 35 on […]
Kubica admits wanting 2020 DTM seat
Dec.6 (GMM) Robert Kubica has admitted he wants to race in the German touring car series DTM next year. BMW has announced that the newly-departed Williams driver will test the car at the young driver test at Jerez next week. “I can well imagine a future in the DTM,” Pole Kubica, who could combine a […]