Aug.28 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg is expecting an “exciting” day at Spa-Francorchamps. But the German was not talking about Sunday’s race. Instead, he joked on social media about the growing ‘silly season’ rumours about the make-up of the 2020 grid. On the cover of its latest magazine edition, France’s Auto Hebdo announced Esteban Ocon’s return to […]
McLaren plays down Norris leg injury
Aug.27 (GMM) McLaren is playing down an injury to race driver Lando Norris. Viewers of one of the avid racing gamer’s online live streams from his home noticed this week that the 19-year-old is wear a brace on his foot. He said during the stream that the injury “frickin hurts”. AFP news agency claims Norris […]
Berger thinks Vettel could quit Ferrari
Aug.27 (GMM) Gerhard Berger thinks it is possible that Sebastian Vettel will pull out of his Ferrari contract. German Vettel, a quadruple world champion, has won a grand total of 52 races — the third highest tally in the sport’s history. But his last win was exactly a year ago, at Spa Francorchamps in 2018. […]
Kubica plays down Russell ‘hate’ claims
Aug.27 (GMM) Robert Kubica has played down teammate George Russell’s claims about online hate directed towards him. Russell, who has dominated Pole Kubica at Williams this year, recently claimed that half of the comments on his social media postings are “hate” from Kubica’s Polish fans. Kubica told the Polish publication Super Express: “I don’t know […]
Kubica unsure about F1 future beyond 2019
Aug.26 (GMM) Robert Kubica says he isn’t sure if he has a future in Formula 1 beyond 2019. After an eight year gap with his permanent arm injury, the inspirational Pole returned to the grid this year but has struggled alongside his rookie teammate George Russell at Williams. Boss Claire Williams says she is happy […]
Kvyat respects Red Bull’s decision on Albon-Gasly
Aug.26 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he “respectfully” accepts Red Bull’s decision to overlook him for the second race seat at the energy drink outfit’s top F1 team. The Russian has successfully resurrected his career after being dropped first from Red Bull and then Toro Rosso at the end of 2017. He returned to the podium […]
Honda ‘completely different’ to Renault – Verstappen
Aug.26 (GMM) Max Verstappen is still pleased with how Red Bull’s new works collaboration with Honda is progressing. The Dutchman has won two grands prix so far in 2019, which were the first for the Japanese manufacturer since its return to Formula 1 and the disastrous earlier collaboration with McLaren. Verstappen, Red Bull’s top driver, […]
No interest in being 2019 runner-up – Verstappen
Aug.26 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he has no interest in finishing runner-up in 2019. After a strong surge in form with Red Bull-Honda recently, some are predicting that even a championship challenge might be possible for the Dutchman. “That’s almost impossible,” Verstappen insisted to De Telegraaf. “Hamilton would have to have a lot of bad […]
More reports say Bottas staying at Mercedes
Aug.26 (GMM) Multiple authoritative media sources are now reporting that Valtteri Bottas will stay at Mercedes in 2020. Both Finland’s Turun Sanomat newspaper, and the major French sports daily L’Equipe, say the German team could announce the news this week, as the August summer break ends. Earlier, it was believed Mercedes boss Toto Wolff could […]
Magnussen has ‘nothing against’ Hulkenberg
Aug.23 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has played down his former spat with Nico Hulkenberg. After a clash in 2017 in which Hulkenberg confronted Magnussen in front of the world’s media, the Dane bluntly told his German rival to “suck my balls”. Haas driver Magnussen is still questioned about the altercation today. “The whole episode and the […]
Kubica’s F1 future ‘doesn’t look good’ – van der Garde
Aug.23 (GMM) Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde says Robert Kubica’s future on the grid “doesn’t look good”. After a long absence from Formula 1 following his 2011 rallying crash, the now 34-year-old Pole returned to the sport this year with Williams. Some are hailing Kubica’s renewed presence in F1 with his permanent arm […]
Lauda family to sell Mercedes stake – Wolff
Aug.23 (GMM) Niki Lauda’s family will sell the late F1 legend’s shareholding of the Mercedes team. In 2013, just before the German marque began to dominate Formula 1, Austrians Lauda and Toto Wolff bought into the team. Triple world champion Lauda, who died in May as Mercedes’ team chairman, was thought to own 10pc of […]
Alan Jones may quit as ‘disillusioned’ F1 steward
Aug.23 (GMM) “Disillusioned” 1980 world champion Alan Jones has indicated he might quit as a Formula 1 steward. The outspoken Australian, who is 72, told speedcafe.com that he may step down so that he can become more critical about how the sport’s officials operate. “At the end of the day I’m a little bit, shall […]
Formula E changes ‘nothing’ about F1 project – Wolff
Aug.23 (GMM) Despite racing ahead with its Formula E plans, Mercedes remains committed to Formula 1. That is the news from team boss Toto Wolff, even though the German marque has announced that its new Formula E outfit will be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. But in terms of F1, Wolff told […]
Ocon-Renault deal not yet signed – report
Aug.23 (GMM) Esteban Ocon’s rumoured return to the F1 grid for 2020 may not yet be set in stone. It is believed that Mercedes has opted to stick with Valtteri Bottas for another year, with boss Toto Wolff negotiating a deal to loan Frenchman Ocon to Renault instead. There are several reasons for Mercedes to […]
Leclerc hails Hamilton’s ‘mental strength’
Aug.22 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has hailed five time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s “consistency and mental strength”. The young Ferrari driver told Italian magazine Sette: “What would I take from Lewis? His consistency and his mental strength. And his ability to always know how to extract the maximum. “Everyone can do a good lap, the difference […]
Gasly issues ‘psychological’ – Marko
Aug.22 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says “psychological problems” caused Pierre Gasly to lose his Red Bull seat. For the remaining nine races of 2019, Gasly will swap places with Toro Rosso rookie Alex Albon. Marko, Red Bull’s driver manager, said he chose British-born Thai driver Albon over the alternative Daniil Kvyat. “I think Albon is […]
Governor says F1 ‘will not leave Sao Paulo’
Aug.22 (GMM) Sao Paulo governor Joao Doria says Formula 1 is staying at Interlagos. In recent weeks, the race beyond 2020 has seemed endangered after Liberty officials met with counterparts in Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has even said a switch to Rio is “99 per cent” certain. But Sao Paulo governor Doria […]
Bottas ‘answering calls’ about F1 future
Aug.22 (GMM) Both Valtteri Bottas and Toto Wolff say the Finnish driver will be in Formula 1 next year. Wolff, the Mercedes boss, has said he will use the August break to choose between Bottas and Esteban Ocon to be Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 teammate. In the past days, Bottas has been testing a world rally […]
McLaren needs new rules to beat top teams – Sainz
Aug.22 (GMM) Only a big change to the F1 rules for 2021 will make it possible for a team like McLaren to challenge the top three, according to Carlos Sainz. After years of recent struggles, the once-great British team is now the most competitive in the closely-contested midfield. But Sainz fears that McLaren’s progress will […]