Jul.13 (GMM) F1 could be on a cusp of a new corruption scandal. Handelsblatt, a German business newspaper, claims the FIA “received millions from the race series’ rights owner, the F1 Group”. “But for what?” the report added. “British investigators are now looking into it.” The newspaper said the mysterious payment was to the tune […]
F1 not ruling out London GP
Jul.13 (GMM) The chances of a F1 street race in London have taken a clear step forward this week. The boost comes as Silverstone exercised a post-2019 break clause in its existing long-term British grand prix contract. Promoter the BRDC hopes to renegotiate the deal with Liberty Media, but representatives of the F1 owner are […]
Absent Hamilton booed in London
Jul.13 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton will head into his home race at Silverstone amid a cloud of local booing. At F1’s London demonstration event on Wednesday, the Mercedes driver’s countrymen booed at the mention of his name. That was because Hamilton was the only active F1 driver missing at the event. “We invited teams and drivers […]
Ferrari can improve in qualifying – Vettel
Jul.13 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted Ferrari needs to up its game in qualifying. The Ferrari driver heads into the British grand prix weekend with a 20-point lead over Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. “It should be a good track for us,” Vettel told the German broadcaster RTL. “Silverstone is full of fast corners.” But that doesn’t […]
Mercedes ‘do not need Alonso’ – Lauda
Jul.12 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s hopes of joining a winning F1 team for 2018 appear to be waning. Earlier, his manager Flavio Briatore suggested the Spaniard was targeting Mercedes or Ferrari, after three years of struggling with McLaren-Honda. But Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne said in Austria last weekend that the Maranello team is “not interested” in […]
Honda quits Sauber engine deal – report
Jul.12 (GMM) Honda has reneged on its promise to supply Sauber with customer engines next year. That is the sensational claim of Germany’s Auto Bild, fuelling speculation the hapless Japanese manufacturer could be about to quit formula one altogether. That’s because the news coincides with speculation McLaren has looked into dropping its works Honda deal […]
McLaren asks Ferrari about engine supply
Jul.12 (GMM) Ferrari has emerged as an unlikely option for McLaren, as rumours of a looming divorce with struggling works partner Honda persist. In recent days, speculation the McLaren-Honda split will proceed has waned. But Italy’s authoritative La Gazzetta dello Sport now claims Ferrari – once McLaren’s arch title nemesis – has received an “exploratory […]
Kubica tests 2017 car in Renault simulator
Jul.12 (GMM) Robert Kubica has taken yet another step on his road back to the F1 grid. Earlier, the former grand prix winner tested a 2012 Renault at Valencia, and the French team now wants to give him a full evaluation outing. In preparation, the Pole – who almost severed his right forearm in a […]
Silverstone hits back at ‘posturing’ charge
Jul.12 (GMM) British grand prix organisers have hit back at F1 owner Liberty Media, after being accused of “posturing”. We reported earlier that, as the British Racing Drivers’ Club triggered a post-2019 break clause in its race contract, Liberty criticised the timing of the move in grand prix week. BRDC chairman John Grant hit back: […]
Mercedes ‘letting Hamilton down’ – Wolff
Jul.11 (GMM) Mercedes must up its game to help Lewis Hamilton win the 2017 world championship. That is the admission of team bosses Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda, who acknowledged that the Briton’s fight against Sebastian Vettel took a hit in the last two races. “I will now be consulting with Toto because something must […]
Red Bull writes off 2017 championship
Jul.11 (GMM) Christian Horner has backed frustrated team driver Max Verstappen in declaring the 2017 world championship basically over for Red Bull. After yet another technical retirement in Austria, and amid rumours he wants out of the team, Verstappen declared: “I no longer think about the world championship, but having good individual races.” Some interpreted […]
Whiting defends FIA jump start system
Jul.11 (GMM) Charlie Whiting says there is nothing wrong with F1’s jump start system. Video evidence showed Valtteri Bottas’ front wheels were moving before the five lights went out in Austria, and Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo were convinced that the Mercedes driver indeed jumped the start. But F1 steward Mika Salo said there is […]
Liberty hits out at Silverstone ‘posturing’
Jul.11 (GMM) F1 owner Liberty Media has hit out at what it regards as “posturing” by British grand prix promoter the BRDC. It is believed the Silverstone-owning British Racing Drivers’ Club has now told Liberty it is exercising a 2019 break clause in its race deal. Liberty says that decision is “regrettable”. “Our focus is […]
Vandoorne ‘took step forward’ in Austria
Jul.11 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne left Austria feeling more upbeat about the future at McLaren-Honda. Earlier, the team’s Anglo-Japanese collaboration appeared destined for divorce, while Belgian rookie Vandoorne was being consistently outclassed by Fernando Alonso. But Vandoorne said he felt happier overall as he left Austria, as reports emerged that team executive Zak Brown retains his […]
Alonso not ruling out Ferrari for 2018
Jul.11 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says it is not the right time of year to be counting or ruling out his possibilities for the future. The fiery McLaren-Honda driver is clearly on the market for 2018, but Mercedes and now Ferrari have said they are not interested in signing him up for now. When asked specifically […]
Bosses ‘sorry’ about Verstappen problems
Jul.11 (GMM) Red Bull chiefs have apologised for Max Verstappen’s run of disastrous car reliability in 2017. Amid rumours the Dutchman wants out of his 2018 contract, Verstappen has been decrying his constant technical problems, including a clutch failure in Austria. “After a while you think ‘How long can this go on?’” the 19-year-old is […]
Marchionne confirms Sassi’s F1 exit
Jul.11 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne has confirmed that Ferrari engine boss Lorenzo Sassi has left the F1 team. We reported at the weekend that the respected designer was either ousted by team president Marchionne, or called up to work at the Ferrari parent Fiat Chrysler. Marchionne indicated to La Gazzetta dello Sport that the latter is […]
Wolff looking ahead to 2019 driver market
Jul.11 (GMM) Mercedes looks set to keep Valtteri Bottas on board for 2018. Since replacing Nico Rosberg, the Finn has won two races and is just 15 points behind his triple world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton. But boss Toto Wolff said another factor in play is the driver market for 2019, when big names including […]
Ferrari ‘ready’ to extend Vettel deal
Jul.11 (GMM) Ferrari is ready to sign a new contract with Sebastian Vettel. The 2017 championship leader’s first three-year deal contract with the Maranello team runs out this year. President Sergio Marchionne is quoted by Italian media: “I have told him very clearly that we are ready if he wants to stay with us. “It’s […]
Magnussen ‘best teammate since Alonso’ – Grosjean
Jul.10 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has named Kevin Magnussen as his best teammate since Fernando Alonso. In 2017, the French and Danish duo are paired together at the American team Haas. Grosjean had a troubled F1 debut for Renault in 2009 when he was paired with Spanish double world champion Alonso, but since then he has […]