Nov.16 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s plight shows that F1 is “sick”. That is the claim of Force India driver Sergio Perez, referring to double world champion Alonso’s decision to retire from F1 and race instead at Le Mans and the Indy 500 next year. “What happens now is not the formula one that made me want […]
Kubica has ‘made decision’ about 2019
Nov.16 (GMM) Robert Kubica looks certain to secure the second race seat at Williams for 2019. At an event in northern Poland, the British team’s reserve driver declared: “I have made my decision.” Pole Kubica, who has not raced in F1 since almost severing his forearm in a 2011 rally crash, was reportedly tossing up […]
Dutch GP preparations to take ‘years’
Nov.16 (GMM) Belgian grand prix boss Andre Maes doubts the Netherlands can quickly put together an F1 project. After 35 years promoting the iconic race at Spa-Francorchamps, promoter Maes is stepping down. Formule 1, a Dutch publication, said his replacement is not known. But the Spa race’s future is at least secure, after Maes inked […]
F1 teams eye Porsche boss Seidl
Nov.16 (GMM) Mercedes looks set to recruit a top official from Porsche’s highly successful Le Mans team. Porsche ended its highly successful run in the world endurance championship last year, and Speed Week now reports that team boss Andreas Seidl is heading to F1. The publication says Williams and Sauber are also interested in the […]
Ecclestone quiet on Brazil GP rescue
Nov.15 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is not saying whether he will leap to the rescue of the Brazilian grand prix. The former F1 supremo, who lives part-time in the country and whose wife Fabiana heads their coffee brand Celebrity, has been linked with potentially buying Interlagos. The circuit is being privatised, leaving the future of the […]
Raikkonen ‘not worried’ about Sauber move
Nov.15 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he is not worrying about his step back to the Sauber team for 2019. The Finn and 2007 world champion is being replaced at Ferrari by Charles Leclerc, with Raikkonen accepting a step backwards to Sauber, the small Swiss team with whom he made his F1 debut 17 years ago. […]
Ferrari eyeing management shake-up for 2019
Nov.15 (GMM) Robert Smedley could be shaping up to return to Ferrari. Famous for being Felipe Massa’s race engineer at the Maranello team, the Briton has more recently had a senior engineering role at Williams. But he is leaving the beleaguered British team, and as he prepares to embark on ‘gardening leave’, his next move […]
F1 has ‘other options’ to British GP – Carey
Nov.14 (GMM) Chase Carey has admitted a cloud still hangs over the future of the British grand prix. Last year, Silverstone’s owner, the British Racing Drivers’ Club, exercised a break clause in its contract in the hope of negotiating a better deal for 2020. And F1 chief executive Carey confirms that a new deal is […]
Carey admits no ‘new engine’ for 2021
Nov.14 (GMM) Chase Carey has admitted F1’s engines will not change significantly for 2021. Earlier, Liberty Media wanted drastically different engines compared to the complex, controversial and quiet ‘power units’ of today. But those currently on the grid hit back at those plans, insisting that if no other car manufacturers join them in F1, switching […]
Formula E ‘slower than Formula Ford’ – Hamilton
Nov.14 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is not interested in Formula E because of the lack of petrol power, sound and speed. Formula E is gaining in popularity and current McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne will drive for the new works Mercedes team in the forthcoming season. “It’s great to see all the top brands – […]
Jos Verstappen defends son after Ocon clash
Nov.14 (GMM) Jos Verstappen has defended his son in the wake of the Brazilian grand prix. Many have criticised the way Red Bull driver Max Verstappen physically accosted Esteban Ocon after being taken out of the lead by the lapped Frenchman. “Maybe what Max did was not good,” Jos, who took out Juan Pablo Montoya […]
Carey defends ending F1 betting sponsorship ban
Nov.14 (GMM) Chase Carey has defended F1’s move into the world of gambling. For four decades, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone did not allow any betting sponsorships. But now under the ownership of Liberty Media, new CEO Carey recently agreed a $100 million deal with sports betting group ISG. “It’s clear that fans enjoy it. […]
Brazil ramps up efforts to keep grand prix
Nov.13 (GMM) Organisers of the Brazilian grand prix have ramped up efforts to keep Interlagos on the F1 calendar. The contract expires in 2020, but local government says it intends to privatise the circuit in the meantime. “The race is important for the city. It is in everyone’s interest to keep it,” Sao Paulo mayor […]
Marchionne death hurt Ferrari morale – Tronchetti Provera
Nov.13 (GMM) Ferrari is “very close” to its goal of bringing the title back to Maranello after more than a decade. That is the view of Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera, even though Ferrari has been defeated by Mercedes in both world championships this year. But Pirelli’s Tronchetti Provera told Rai radio: “Ferrari did an […]
2019 Kubica F1 return ’90pc’ secure – report
Nov.13 (GMM) Robert Kubica looks set to return to the F1 grid with Williams in 2019. Auto Motor und Sport says the Pole wants to make his decision this week, after receiving an offer from Williams but also from Ferrari to be a test driver. “His comeback chances at Williams are over 90 per cent,” […]
Verstappen would ‘kick psychologist out’
Nov.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he regrets nothing about shoving Esteban Ocon after Sunday’s Brazilian grand prix. The Dutchman will do two days of FIA community service as a punishment for the altercation, but insists he has no regrets. “No. I’m just annoyed about not winning,” the Red Bull driver said on the Peptalk programme […]
Miami GP plans still not dead – Carey
Nov.12 (GMM) Chase Carey insists that plans for a grand prix in Miami have not been scrapped. In late September, the Miami city commission voted to indefinitely defer the plans. Instead, F1 owner Liberty Media has announced a new grand prix in Vietnam for 2020. That is despite Bernie Ecclestone telling Germany’s RTL that, prior […]
‘Only goal’ is sports car title – Alonso
Nov.12 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says his “only goal” for now is winning the world endurance championship. The Spaniard is retiring from F1 but already signed up to do the Indy 500 and Le Mans next year. His last grand prix will be in Abu Dhabi next weekend, but he says he is not targeting a […]
Vettel not worried about incoming Leclerc
Nov.12 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel says he is not worried about the ambitions of his new Ferrari teammate for 2019. German Vettel has had a tough few months, having gone from being world championship favourite to heftily criticised in the Italian press and beyond for throwing it away with mistakes. Now, he has lost his preferred […]
Lauda to bring doctor to Abu Dhabi comeback – Marko
Nov.12 (GMM) Niki Lauda really is determined to return to the F1 paddock next weekend, according to his friend Dr Helmut Marko. Lauda, the F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman, recently left hospital after a lung transplant and entered a period of rehabilitation. He told his friend Bernie Ecclestone that he wants to return to […]