Jun.30 (GMM) Toto Wolff is not ruling out making a move for Max Verstappen for 2020. The big buzz in the Austrian GP paddock is that Verstappen might be able to escape from his Red Bull contract thanks to a performance clause. Dr Helmut Marko as well as Verstappen’s management have confirmed the existence of […]
No Mercedes driver decision until summer break
Jun.29 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Mercedes will think about its 2020 driver lineup after the summer break. Lewis Hamilton is staying, but there is a big question mark about the identity of his teammate. Valtteri Bottas might struggle to hang onto his seat, particularly with Esteban Ocon in the wings and sensational rumours that Max […]
Wolff says he is happy as Mercedes boss
Jun.29 (GMM) Toto Wolff has once again played down rumours linking him with the top job in F1. Lewis Hamilton has kept the story in the headlines in recent days, first saying he thinks an outsider should take over from Chase Carey but then championing Wolff’s candidacy. “I feel very good in my role,” Wolff […]
Verstappen, Vettel, Alonso fire up 2020 ‘silly season’
Jun.29 (GMM) The driver ‘silly season’ is really shifting into high gear in the paddock in Austria. The big news is that a performance or results clause in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract is in play, amid rumours he is eyeing a switch to Mercedes. “I confirm that there is a performance clause, but we […]
F1 ‘must be boring’ for drivers – Panis
Jun.29 (GMM) Olivier Panis says “it must be boring” for today’s F1 drivers to race. The Frenchman raced between 1994 and 2004, and he says much of that period was “magical” for the drivers. “Especially from 2002 to 2004, it was just amazing,” the 52-year-old told Auto Hebdo. “The performance of the cars was crazy. […]
Vettel says Brawn, not teams, should make decisions
Jun.29 (GMM) Formula 1 is sticking with Pirelli’s controversial 2019 tyres for the rest of the season. The sport’s major players, including drivers Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, got together on Friday morning to take a vote on switching to the 2018 tyres with a thicker tread. But according to Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, there were […]
Marko reveals talks for new Austria GP race deal
Jun.28 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says it is likely Red Bull will agree with Liberty Media to extend the contract for the Austrian grand prix. After a ten-year absence, the now Red Bull-owned ‘Red Bull Ring’ returned to the calendar in 2014. But there are rumours energy drink magnate Dietrich Mateschitz is unsure about his […]
Red Bull dumps junior driver Ticktum
Jun.28 (GMM) Dan Ticktum has been dumped from Red Bull’s famous driver programme. The 20-year-old Briton had been touted for a future at Toro Rosso, and was spending 2019 with Red Bull’s support in the Japanese Super Formula series. But Ticktum has now lost that seat, with Red Bull driver manager Dr Helmut Marko confirming […]
Russell denies wanting to leave Williams
Jun.28 (GMM) George Russell has denied he is pushing for a move to a faster F1 team. Although stranded at the back, the reigning Formula 2 champion is nonetheless impressing at Williams as he utterly dominates his teammate Robert Kubica. 21-year-old Russell might therefore be forgiven for lamenting that his fellow rookies including Alex Albon […]
Injury not reason for 2019 struggle – Kubica
Jun.28 (GMM) Robert Kubica has denied that his struggle for pace in 2019 is due to his permanent arm injuries. Until he returned with Williams this year, the Pole sat out eight full seasons after a horror, near-fatal rallying crash. But although they are isolated at the back of the grid, Kubica is being dominated […]
Vettel plays down retirement rumours
Jun.28 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has moved to play down rumours linking him with retirement. After Canada, where he lost victory with a controversial time penalty, the German declared: “This is not the sport I fell in love with.” With pressure from Charles Leclerc and amid Ferrari’s lack of competitiveness, it prompted suggestions the 31-year-old is […]
Pressured Bottas ‘wanting too much’ – Schumacher
Jun.28 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas may be putting “too much pressure on himself” to keep up with his Mercedes teammate in 2019. That is the view of former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, who notes that the Finn’s early form this year is now giving way to Lewis Hamilton’s dominance. For his part, Bottas is not giving […]
Meeting called to scrap 2019 Pirelli tyres
Jun.28 (GMM) A key meeting has been convened at the scene of the Austrian grand prix. Apparently alarmed by what Sergio Perez calls some of the “incredibly boring” races this year, top officials are behind a new push to scrap Pirelli’s 2019 tyres. The team bosses will meet with FIA and Pirelli representatives at the […]
Hulkenberg linked with Formula E switch
Jun.28 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg is being linked with a shock Formula 1 exit. Amid rumours he could be replaced at Renault by Esteban Ocon next year, and links with Red Bull, a new rumour swept the paddock in Austria about an approach by Porsche’s Formula E team. But although he won Le Mans with Porsche […]
Kvyat plays down Gasly axe rumours
Jun.28 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat has played down rumours he is first in line for Pierre Gasly’s job at Red Bull. Dr Helmut Marko says Gasly’s place is safe for the rest of 2019, but it is clear the Frenchman is struggling alongside Max Verstappen. “I am adapting myself to the car but the team is […]
Hamilton takes back comments about Wolff for CEO
Jun.28 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has rapidly rowed back his comments about Toto Wolff’s rumoured candidacy for the top job in Formula 1. Earlier this week, the five time world champion said his boss at Mercedes may not make a good replacement for F1 CEO Chase Carey because he could be “biased”. “It would be best […]
F1 could change rules for 2020 – Masi
Jun.27 (GMM) F1 race director Michael Masi says the sport’s authorities could consider changes to the sporting regulations for 2020. The time penalty that cost Sebastian Vettel victory in Canada caused a fan and media furore, triggering suggestions Formula 1 must make urgent rule changes. “We have regulations that are valid for the whole season […]
Steiner plays down Haas driver change rumours
Jun.27 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has played down speculation Haas will have a change of drivers for 2020. The American team seems happy with Kevin Magnussen, but rumours suggest Romain Grosjean could be replaced by Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez, or Robert Kubica. But team boss Steiner told AS newspaper that Haas is happy with its drivers. […]
Hartley is reserve driver for two F1 teams
Jun.27 (GMM) Brendon Hartley is now the reserve driver for not one but two Formula 1 teams. Ousted by Toro Rosso at the end of last year, the New Zealander has been signed up to replace Fernando Alonso in Toyota’s Le Mans programme. “My future with Toyota is amazing. That was landing on my feet,” […]
F1’s real battle is behind top three teams
Jun.27 (GMM) With Mercedes running away from Ferrari and Red Bull at the front, a fascinating battle for fourth place in 2019 is shaping up. Currently occupying that fourth place in the constructors’ championship is McLaren. “We had a meeting with them and they themselves were a bit surprised at their level of performance,” Cyril […]