Nov.26 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has another chance to win the world championship for Ferrari in 2019. That is the view of Nico Roberg, even though Vettel made high profile mistakes this year and suffered widespread criticism. As the 2018 season concluded in Abu Dhabi, the German driver admitted that he has to improve for next […]
Alonso plays down chances of F1 return
Nov.26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has played down expectations he might return to formula one in 2020. The Spaniard was warmly farewelled by the sport in Abu Dhabi, but when pressed, Alonso stressed that it was “goodbye for now” rather than farewell. However, the double world champion suggested fans should not necessarily expect his comeback in […]
Whiting defends Halo after Hulkenberg roll
Nov.26 (GMM) Charlie Whiting has defended F1’s controversial Halo safety innovation, following a scary rollover crash in Abu Dhabi for Nico Hulkenberg. “Get me out of here, there’s fire!” the German driver said on the radio after his Renault rolled over in the 2018 season finale. Hulkenberg admitted that the Halo prevented him from quickly […]
Ecclestone ‘cannot believe’ Ocon without seat
Nov.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Esteban Ocon could be reserve driver at more than just one team in 2019. The Mercedes boss announced in Abu Dhabi that the Frenchman, having lost his Force India seat, will instead be reserve driver for the German works team next year. “We were going to issue a press release […]
Vettel ‘not a leader’ – Ecclestone
Nov.25 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says Sebastian Vettel is not a leader. With the championships now settled, the former F1 supremo hit back at the view that Sebastian Vettel is a Michael Schumacher-type character at Ferrari. “Michael took Ferrari onto his shoulders and led them out of the crisis. He was a leader. Sebastian is not […]
2019 ‘a sabbatical’ for Alonso – Briatore
Nov.25 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he is leaving the F1 paddock with his head held high. The Spaniard, who is racing elsewhere in 2019, completed an impressive clean sweep of qualifying triumphs over his McLaren teammate Stoffel Vandoorne this year. “I am happy with my perfect year in terms of qualifying,” he said in Abu […]
Haas undecided over Force India verdict appeal
Nov.25 (GMM) Haas is not ruling out appealing the ruling of the stewards in Abu Dhabi. In a complex case, the American outfit protested against Force India, alleging that after the sale to Lawrence Stroll, the Silverstone based team had not technically built its own cars. Force India accused Haas of being “hypocritical”, saying the […]
Sirotkin not giving up on F1
Nov.25 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin says he is not giving up on formula one. The Russian has been ousted by Williams, as the British team signs up Robert Kubica for 2019. Sirotkin will stay with the sponsorship programme run by Boris Rotenberg’s SMP Bank, which could involve the world endurance championship. But Sirotkin said in Abu […]
Force India protest about ‘equality’ – Steiner
Nov.24 (GMM) Haas is merely seeking “equal treatment” in deciding to protest against the legality of Force India’s cars. That is the view of Haas boss Gunther Steiner, after the American team lodged a formal protest to the stewards in Abu Dhabi. Haas is claiming that, as a brand new entrant, ‘Racing Point Force India’ […]
Mercedes to finally use controversial wheels
Nov.24 (GMM) Mercedes looks set to use its controversial wheel rim design this weekend in Abu Dhabi. In the past few races, Ferrari has argued to the FIA that the holes in the rims contravened the rules about moveable aerodynamic parts. Mercedes, therefore, kept filling the holes with silicone. “We tested them on Friday and […]
Alonso ‘character’ caused F1 exit – Trulli
Nov.24 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is leaving F1 because of his “strong character”. That is the view of the Spaniard’s former Renault teammate, Jarno Trulli. Alonso, 37, is quitting F1 to race at the Indy 500, Le Mans and some other “iconic” races in 2019, but is not ruling out a return for 2020. “Alonso was […]
Alonso could test McLaren in 2019 – Brown
Nov.24 (GMM) Zak Brown says Fernando Alonso is free to drive McLaren’s 2019 car next year. As he races in F1 for the final time for now, Alonso’s car in Abu Dhabi features the words ‘Hasta Luego’, meaning something like ‘See you later’. That next appearance in F1 could be for a test, McLaren boss […]
Stroll-Force India announcement due in ‘hours’
Nov.24 (GMM) Lance Stroll’s switch from Williams to Force India will finally be announced in the coming hours. With Robert Kubica now completing Williams’ 2019 lineup, it remains an open secret that Stroll is moving to Force India which has been bought by his billionaire father. “You can count the hours to find out,” Lance […]
Kubica could attract top team attention – Wolff
Nov.24 (GMM) Robert Kubica could return to the front of the grid in formula one. That is the view of Toto Wolff, after the Williams team announced that the Pole will make his F1 racing return with the struggling British team in 2019. Kubica, now 33, has a permanent arm injury, but Mercedes team boss […]
Wolff denies 2020 seat guaranteed for Ocon
Nov.24 (GMM) Toto Wolff has slammed suggestions he has already guaranteed Esteban Ocon the race seat at Mercedes for 2020. Furious about Ocon’s clash with Max Verstappen in Brazil a fortnight ago, Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko said the Dutchman had been taken out by “a driver who already has a Mercedes deal for […]
Wolff wants Lauda ‘back at full speed’
Nov.24 (GMM) Niki Lauda has told Mercedes he will be back at the F1 tracks “soon”. The team chairman and F1 legend actually wanted to come to Abu Dhabi, but according to Austrian radio O3, that plan was vetoed by doctors. “He didn’t lose the race to come to Abu Dhabi, he won it because […]
Renault team safe amid Carlos Ghosn scandal
Nov.24 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has played down suggestions Renault’s F1 project could be affected by the Carlos Ghosn affair. Ghosn, the CEO of the major car manufacturer Renault, is currently in prison in Tokyo. Asked what impact the scandal will have on the F1 team, boss Abiteboul said in Abu Dhabi: “It’s fair to say […]
Russian sponsor leaves F1 with Sirotkin
Nov.23 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin’s sponsor is driving away from formula one for now. The Russian driver is gutted that Williams has decided to sign up Robert Kubica instead of him for 2019. Sirotkin is backed by Russian banker Boris Rotenberg’s SMP programme. “We have decided not to continue our involvement in formula one,” Rotenberg said […]
F1 considers new tyre rules for 2019
Nov.23 (GMM) Team managers have met with FIA race director Charlie Whiting in Abu Dhabi to talk about tyres. The meeting follows the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association meeting recently in Brazil, when the drivers complained directly to Pirelli that the current tyres do not allow them to attack in the races. And so, according to […]
Vandoorne hopeful about F1 future
Nov.23 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne is hopeful about his future in formula one. That is despite the fact that Abu Dhabi is his last race with McLaren prior to switching to Formula E for 2019. Vandoorne has been signed by Mercedes’ new works team in the all-electric category, but he will also stay in touch with […]