Feb.13 (GMM) Renault’s 2019 car is yet to see light of day. Ostensibly, the French team ‘launched’ its new single seater on Tuesday, but it was actually the 2018 car with 2019-style bodywork. One theory is that the car is delayed, and another is that Renault doesn’t want to reveal its secrets. Team boss Cyril […]
Mosley supports Halo, budget cap
Feb.12 (GMM) Max Mosley says he is fully supportive of F1’s latest moves to protect the drivers. The ‘Halo’ cockpit protection system has been highly controversial, but former FIA president Mosley says Jean Todt was right to introduce it. “I haven’t been to a race since 2009, but I watch a lot of the races […]
Russian promoter slams Silverstone boss
Feb.12 (GMM) Russia has distanced itself from a group of F1 circuits who are threatening to quit formula one. A statement highly critical of Liberty Media that was issued by the so-called Formula One Promoters’ Association (FOPA), and comments made by its boss Stuart Pringle, recently caused a stir. Sergey Vorobyev, the Russian GP boss, […]
Toro Rosso to use year-old Red Bull parts in 2019
Feb.12 (GMM) Toro Rosso’s new car features many parts that were used on the 2018 Red Bull. With Ferrari moving closer to Sauber-Alfa Romeo and Haas buying many parts from Maranello, the rules now allow Red Bull and Toro Rosso to also collaborate more closely. For instance, the entire Honda-powered rear end of the new […]
Haas sponsor sued over logo
Feb.12 (GMM) The controversy around Haas’ new title sponsor continues. Already, there is scepticism about the legitimacy of Rich Energy, a British energy drink headed by the long-bearded William Storey. Now, it emerges that Rich is heading to court next month. In the days just prior to the start of the 2019 season, Storey’s company […]
Williams has ‘bright’ look for fresh start in 2019
Feb.12 (GMM) Claire Williams wanted a “fresh” and “bright” new livery to mark an end to the British team’s horror period. Williams, a once-great name in F1, finished dead last in 2018 and lost the backing of title sponsor Martini. The team has a new sponsor for 2019, and Claire Williams said that was the […]
McLaren not confirming Alonso test yet
Feb.11 (GMM) Gil de Ferran is not confirming that Fernando Alonso will test for McLaren in the forthcoming Barcelona tests. In the past hours, the recently retired-from-F1 Spaniard has been spotted at McLaren’s Woking factory. It invigorated speculation Alonso may test the British team’s 2019 car next week, following an invitation by McLaren boss Zak […]
Staying in F1 beyond 2020 not decided – Marko
Feb.11 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says that if Honda stays in F1 after 2020, Red Bull will stay as well. The current ‘Concorde Agreement’, which binds the teams to the sport, expires in December 2020. Marko, a top Red Bull official, says whether Red Bull signs a new one depends on negotiations with Liberty Media. […]
Haas drivers admit putting on weight for 2019
Feb.11 (GMM) F1 drivers will not look like ‘The Hulk’ in 2019, even though the rules about driver weight have changed. That is the claim of Haas driver Kevin Magnussen. His teammate, Romain Grosjean, admits to have “overdone” his weight gain over the winter, as the rules now mandate a minimum of 80kg driver-plus-seat weight. […]
Haas to use Dallara simulator from 2019
Feb.11 (GMM) Haas is stepping up its simulator programme for 2019. Until now, the small American team has used the Ferrari simulator at Maranello. But according to boss Gunther Steiner, Haas has been unable to use the simulator during grand prix weekends because it is monopolised at these times by Ferrari. “We have access to […]
Top teams will be unbeaten in 2019 – Grosjean
Feb.11 (GMM) F1’s current top teams will remain unchallenged until at least 2021. That is the view of Romain Grosjean, a driver for the small American team Haas. Thanks to its Ferrari collaboration, Haas is tipped to continue to challenge right behind the top teams Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull in 2019. But Grosjean doubts […]
Steiner ‘happy’ with Ferrari-Alfa alliance
Feb.11 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says he is “happy” with the ever closer alliance between Ferrari and the team formerly known as Sauber. Steiner is the boss at Haas, the small American team that has a close technical collaboration with Ferrari. However, Ferrari and ‘Sauber’ are moving even more closely together, with the rebranding of the […]
Verstappen says he, Leclerc top stars of future
Feb.11 (GMM) Max Verstappen thinks he and Charles Leclerc will be the ‘Hamilton and Vettel’ of the future. Verstappen, 21, will be the de-facto number 1 at Red Bull this year, while Ferrari rookie Leclerc – also 21 – will be four time world champion Sebastian Vettel’s teammate. “I imagine we will be like Hamilton […]
Australia investigating ‘Mission Winnow’ branding
Feb.8 (GMM) Australian authorities have launched an investigation into Ferrari’s new ‘Mission Winnow’ branding. The branding is an initiative of the team’s title sponsor Philip Morris, maker of Marlboro cigarettes. The company says the brand promotes smoking alternatives and other initiatives, but some believe it is a clever way to keep Marlboro and the similar […]
Manager says 2019 Kvyat’s last chance in F1
Feb.8 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat is getting his final chance to succeed in formula one. That is the view of the Russian’s new manager Nicolas Todt. After being dropped by the Red Bull programme after stints at Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing, Kvyat spent 2018 as a Ferrari simulator driver. Now 24, he has been […]
Rosberg does not miss F1 ‘at all’
Feb.8 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he does not miss formula one “at all”. The German, now 33, quit at the age of 31 just days after winning the 2016 title. Speaking to Germany’s ZDF television, he denies regretting it. “I don’t miss it at all, and for me that’s a big thing,” he said. “Back […]
Ferrari to be darker red in 2019
Feb.8 (GMM) Ferrari’s livery may be darker and with a matte appearance in 2019. That is the latest rumour to emerge in the days before the famous Italian team’s February 15 launch next Friday. The Italian publication Automoto claims Ferrari’s red colour for 2019 will be darker than usual, in line with the similarly ‘Mission […]
F1 ‘has gotten used to me’ – Perez
Feb.8 (GMM) Sergio Perez is keen to make some noise with his performances in 2019. Now 29, the Mexican is a F1 veteran, with over 150 grands prix to his name. And yet, 2018 was a very low profile year for Perez, even though he finished the world championship eighth overall. “It’s as if people […]
Red Bull denies deliberate Mercedes launch clash
Feb.8 (GMM) Red Bull has denied it timed its car launch to deliberately clash with reigning world champions Mercedes. There is no love lost between the top teams, with Dr Helmut Marko last year describing fellow Austrian Toto Wolff as “persona non grata”. Mercedes had already scheduled a ‘rollout’ test for its 2019 car for […]
Liberty will struggle to sell F1 – Yermilin
Feb.8 (GMM) Liberty Media will struggle to sell F1 for a profit. That is the view of Igor Yermilin, president of Russia’s motor racing federation. He was asked by Russia’s Sportbox publication about rumours that, beset with growing problems and unrest, the American company might be looking to sell. “The situation is completely expected,” Yermilin […]