Dec.11 (GMM) Max Verstappen has admitted he will try to emulate Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ approach to winning the world championship. The Dutchman can finally stop complaining about his customer Renault engines in 2019, as Red Bull makes the switch to works Honda power. “The engine for next year is a completely new one,” he […]
Mexico GP future in doubt
Dec.11 (GMM) A cloud has moved above the future of the highly popular Mexican grand prix. The rejuvenated race at the iconic circuit in Mexico City was once again awarded the FIA prize for the best grand prix this year. But Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been elected the new president of Mexico, and senator […]
Sainz to ‘lead’ McLaren in 2019
Dec.11 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he will do his best to “lead” McLaren from the cockpit in 2019. The Spaniard is moving to the struggling British team from Renault. “I’m leaving very good friends,” Sainz said. “I feel that it is unfinished business.” The 24-year-old struggled at times this year, but says the main problem […]
Sirotkin, Wehrlein eye Ferrari role for 2019
Dec.10 (GMM) Two drivers may be eyeing Daniil Kvyat’s job at Ferrari for 2019. This year, Russian Kvyat was a Ferrari development driver, specifically heading the Italian team’s efforts in the simulator. Williams refugee Sergey Sirotkin admitted to Russia’s Championat that he may be interested in that role, now that Kvyat is returning to the […]
Verstappen to be ‘patient’ with Honda in 2019
Dec.10 (GMM) Max Verstappen has revealed that he is prepared to be patient with Honda in 2019. Especially in 2018 as the collaboration looked to end, the Dutchman ramped up his harsh criticism of Red Bull’s outgoing engine partner Renault. But Verstappen told Ziggo Sport that he never meant to “offend” the French marque. “I […]
Gasly ‘not afraid’ of Verstappen
Dec.10 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says he is not worried about pairing up with Max Verstappen at Red Bull next year. Gasly replaces Daniel Ricciardo, who many believe has fled Red Bull because the momentum of the team is now behind the notoriously fast and feisty Verstappen. But Frenchman Gasly says he is not worried. “I […]
Vettel says new teammate Leclerc ‘a good guy’
Dec.10 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel insists he is not worried about getting a new Ferrari teammate for 2019. The German has lost his preferred teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, who amused observers of the FIA gala with his drunken antics. In the Finn’s place is Charles Leclerc, a highly rated young driver who moves up from Sauber. “The […]
Mercedes’ Wolff eyes Mick Schumacher
Dec.10 (GMM) Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has expressed interest in signing up Mick Schumacher. Schumacher, the son of F1 great Michael and the new European F3 champion, is moving into Formula 2 in 2019. “It will be an opportunity to watch closely at how everything works in formula one,” the young German said. When in […]
Sirotkin sponsor wanted discount for 2019
Dec.7 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin should not be too disappointed that his F1 career is over. That is the view of Mika Salo, a former F1 driver who has worked closely with the Russian this year as part of sponsor SMP Bank’s programme. Sirotkin has been replaced by Robert Kubica, who arrives with the sponsorship of […]
Hartley thought he had ‘long term contract’
Dec.7 (GMM) His F1 adventure may be over for now, but Brendon Hartley says his motor racing career is still very much alive. Having been given a second chance by Red Bull and Toro Rosso, the 29-year-old New Zealander has lost his seat after just a single full season. “I’ve definitely been better,” Hartley told […]
No ‘off season’ for axed F1 driver Vandoorne
Dec.6 (GMM) There will be no winter ‘off season’ for one 2018 F1 driver. Dropped by McLaren, Stoffel Vandoorne has been snapped up by Mercedes for its new works Formula E effort. That season kicks off next weekend in Saudi Arabia. “It was a short winter break for me,” the Belgian driver laughed to Sporza. […]
Super Formula ‘good training ground for F1’ – Marko
Dec.6 (GMM) Japan’s Super Formula is now a “good training ground” for Red Bull’s future F1 drivers. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, who is getting behind the top Japanese open wheeler category like never before. “We were very impressed last year with the performance and development of Pierre Gasly, so we are […]
Departing Ericsson says F1 ‘artificial’
Dec.6 (GMM) Marcus Ericsson has departed F1 by saying the category is “a bit artificial”. The Swede drove in F1 for Caterham and Sauber, but he has lost his race seat for 2019 and is switching to Indycar. Ericsson, 28, got his first taste of Indycar with a test in America this week. He is […]
Todt proud to ‘fight’ for Halo
Dec.6 (GMM) Jean Todt says he is proud he continued to “fight” for Halo. The cockpit protection innovation was highly controversial from its inception, but in 2018 it arguably protected Charles Leclerc and F2 driver Tadasuke Makino in scary incidents. But in Abu Dhabi, Halo also arguably stopped Nico Hulkenberg from quickly escaping after a […]
Horner sad to farewell Ricciardo
Dec.6 (GMM) Christian Horner admits he is sad that Daniel Ricciardo has left Red Bull. The team boss said Australian Ricciardo alongside Max Verstappen was “the best duo in the history” of the energy drink owned outfit. Ricciardo shocked both Red Bull and the rest of the F1 world by announcing his move for 2019 […]
Bad season not all Bottas’ fault – Salo
Dec.6 (GMM) Former F1 driver Mika Salo has defended Valtteri Bottas at the end of a bad season for his fellow Finn. Many are questioning Bottas’ psychological state, after a disappointing season for the Mercedes driver and the looming threat tis race seat posed for 2020 by Esteban Ocon. Some believe Bottas is being too […]
Ecclestone doubts F1 will race in Miami, London
Dec.6 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone doubts Liberty Media’s ability to deliver a second US grand prix on the streets of Miami. Plans for the Miami race have fallen through for now, but F1 owner Liberty insists it has not given up. “It will never happen,” former F1 supremo Ecclestone told Speed Week. The 88-year-old said street […]
Not only tyres to blame for F1 problems – Isola
Dec.5 (GMM) Mario Isola has defended Pirelli amid suggestions it is the tyres that are making formula one races boring. Recently, the F1 drivers met with the Pirelli F1 chief to argue that they need more robust tyres that they can “push” with rather than so often nurse to the pitstops. The Italian company has […]
No British GP ‘at any price’ – Silverstone
Dec.5 (GMM) A cloud still hangs over the future of the British grand prix at Silverstone. Last year, the circuit triggered a break clause in its contract with Liberty Media for financial reasons. “We got ourselves into a pickle because we had a business that was solely financed by the grand prix,” Silverstone managing director […]
McLaren ‘on road to recovery’ now – Brown
Dec.5 (GMM) Zak Brown insists he is not responsible for McLaren’s decline. Formerly an F1 marketing specialist, the American joined McLaren for 2017 following the ousting of Ron Dennis and amid the Honda-powered debacle. But Brown is quoted by El Mundo Deportivo as surmising that McLaren’s current predicament can be traced back “years”. “My summary […]