Sep.20 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he is among those who are “surprised” by Haas’ decision to keep Romain Grosjean in 2020. The F1 paddock had been expecting the American team to drop the Frenchman and replace him with Ricciardo’s current Renault teammate Nico Hulkenberg. “I heard only a few days ago that he was […]
Kubica sponsor wants to stay in F1
Sep.20 (GMM) Robert Kubica’s sponsor says it wants to remain in Formula 1. Williams announced on Thursday that the Polish driver, who has struggled this year on his return to the grid, will not stay at the team in 2020. Kubica’s seat this year is strongly backed by PKN Orlen, the Polish oil company. The […]
Boss says Ferrari ‘loves’ Vettel
Sep.19 (GMM) Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto has issued a strong vote of confidence in Sebastian Vettel. The quadruple world champion began 2019 as the clear number 1, but is now making regular mistakes while 21-year-old newcomer Charles Leclerc rises in status. But Binotto insists that the crisis-struck German’s 2020 contract will be honoured. “The […]
Red Bull driver decisions ‘not healthy’ – Albers
Sep.19 (GMM) A former F1 driver has questioned Red Bull’s recent driver swap. During the summer break, Dr Helmut Marko decided to demote the struggling Pierre Gasly from the senior team and replace him with Toro Rosso’s Alex Albon. “I still don’t understand that choice,” former Minardi driver Christijan Albers told De Telegraaf newspaper. “I […]
Hulkenberg ‘sure’ Schumacher will race in F1
Sep.19 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says he is “sure” that Mick Schumacher will soon be in Formula 1. Schumacher, the 20-year-old son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, is eleventh overall with two rounds of his first Formula 2 season to go. “I am sure that we will see him in Formula 1 in two years at […]
Ferrari to join 18-inch testing in 2020 – Isola
Sep.19 (GMM) Pirelli boss Mario Isola thinks Ferrari will start helping next year with the development of Formula 1’s 18-inch tyres for 2021. In a modified 2018 Renault, Sergey Sirotkin was in the cockpit last week as testing of the low-profile tyres began at Paul Ricard. “Unfortunately I am not allowed to answer any questions […]
2019 title ‘far, far away’ – Vettel
Sep.19 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted he is unlikely to win the 2019 world championship. The quadruple world champion actually went into this season as the favourite, but Ferrari’s first wins only came in Spa and Monza and it was Charles Leclerc on the top step. “We are not the favourites for this championship,” Vettel […]
Hulkenberg admits Haas an option for 2020
Sep.19 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has admitted that Haas could be an option for him in 2020. The American team is expected to announce Kevin Magnussen’s next teammate in Singapore. Team boss Gunther Steiner has said Haas is choosing between Hulkenberg, who has lost his place at Renault, and Magnussen’s current teammate Romain Grosjean. “Gunther and […]
Kubica linked with Racing Point move
Sep.19 (GMM) Robert Kubica is now being linked with a move to Racing Point. Earlier this week, the boss of the customer Audi team WRT said the Pole is “naturally an interesting name” for a potential DTM race drive for 2020. But now, the specialist Polish fan publication Powrot Roberta is reporting that F1 team […]
Berger rates Verstappen above Leclerc for now
Sep.18 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger says Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are clearly F1’s “stars of tomorrow”. Although 2019 was initially billed as a clear Lewis Hamilton versus Sebastian Vettel battle for the title, it is the two younger drivers who have been attracting the most recent plaudits. “Hamilton is slightly different as he […]
Briatore blasts Horner over Alonso comments
Sep.18 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has blasted Red Bull boss Christian Horner for making critical comments about Fernando Alonso. Amid speculation the two-time world champion might one day want to return to Formula 1, Horner recently said the Spaniard typically brings “chaos” to the teams he drives for. “I heard Horner speak negatively about Alonso and […]
Audi’s DTM boss plays down Kubica reports
Sep.18 (GMM) Audi’s DTM boss has played down reports linking Robert Kubica with the German outfit. A specialist publication this week said Audi has had talks with the struggling Williams driver’s management about switching to the German touring car series. But Audi boss Dieter Gass told Germany’s Motorsport-Magazin.com: “Robert Kubica is not in discussion with […]
Renault, Mercedes ‘pointing finger’ at Ferrari – Marko
Sep.18 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has denied claims that Red Bull is pushing the hardest for the FIA to look into the legality of Ferrari’s 2019 power unit. Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Auto Motor und Sport this week: “We sent a number of questions to the FIA, but have not received any answers.” […]
No early start to Ocon’s Renault career
Sep.18 (GMM) Esteban Ocon is unlikely to get an early start to his new 2020 tenure with Renault. The Frenchman is happy about returning to the grid next year, but he might also be forgiven for being slightly disappointed about missing out on a Mercedes seat. “Not at all,” Ocon insists. “As I’ve said, Renault’s […]
‘No decision’ about Renault seat for 2021 – Ricciardo
Sep.18 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo is not yet committing to Renault beyond 2020. The Australian shocked the F1 world last year by deciding to leave Red Bull. Recent court documents revealed that the two-year deal is worth at least $55 million. But Ricciardo has at times struggled with his new life in the midfield. Talking with […]
Leclerc manager plays down political influence
Sep.18 (GMM) F1 driver manager Nicolas Todt has denied using his political influence to promote Charles Leclerc’s status above ‘number 1’ Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari. Some have made the connection between Todt’s father – FIA president and former Ferrari boss Jean Todt – and the apparent change in hierarchy at the Italian team. “I’m not […]
Red Bull questions FIA over Ferrari engine
Sep.17 (GMM) Rival top teams are dubious about the performance of Ferrari’s 2019 engine. At Spa and Monza, where Charles Leclerc secured his first two victories back-to-back, the superiority of the Maranello-made power unit was clearer than ever. “Right now, Renault, Honda and ourselves are at about the same level,” Mercedes’ Toto Wolff told Auto […]
Alonso ‘doing well’ in off-road rallying – Sainz
Sep.17 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is doing “very well” as he adjusts to the world of off-road rallying, according to his friend Carlos Sainz. In the last days, The two-time world champion raced a Toyota Hilux in the Lichtenburg 400 rally-raid event in South Africa. The event resulted in Alonso’s first rollover crash. “My father says […]
Era of less driver penalties ‘correct’ – Sainz
Sep.17 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he is happy that stewards are being more lenient with driver penalties. Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone thinks Sebastian Vettel’s penalty in Montreal this year has contributed to his current slump. “It was completely wrong and unnecessary and it damaged Sebastian’s faith in the sport,” he told Auto Motor und […]
Hulkenberg denies Haas deal now signed
Sep.17 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has played down rumours he has now signed a deal to join Kevin Magnussen at Haas for 2020. Despite their 2017 “suck my balls” run-in, Magnussen insists he would have no problem teaming up with the German, who has been dropped by Renault. “Nico is fast, experienced and respected,” Magnussen told […]