Jun.8 (GMM) Lance Stroll would not be in Formula 1 if not for his billionaire father’s money. That is the view of Alex Tagliani, a former Indycar driver who like Stroll is from Canada. “I’m not taking away his talent, but I’m going to give you my opinion,” Tagliani told Canadian broadcaster TVA Sports on […]
Abiteboul slams $175m budget cap figure
Jun.8 (GMM) The F1 teams are divided over Liberty Media’s handling of the 2021 rules reform. Firstly, it emerges that the F1 owner has settled on a US $175 million annual budget cap per team for the period between 2021 and 2025. Excluded are driver, engine, travel and marketing costs. “This is not a new […]
Binotto ‘satisfied’ with Vettel
Jun.8 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has indicated Ferrari will definitely head into the 2020 season with the same drivers. Recently, there have been rumours that suggest Vettel, whose career according to Mark Webber is at “the crossroads”, could retire or be ousted. Not just that, the combination of Vettel and the younger Charles Leclerc has the […]
Mazepin hits back at Marko’s mockery
Jun.8 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin has hit back at Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko. After the recent post-Spanish GP test in Barcelona, Marko said the fact a “second rate Formula 2 driver” topped the times shows that Mercedes is “more superior than ever”. Marko joked that the car setting used by the Russian driver, whose father […]
Mercedes to appear in 2019 Netflix series – Wolff
Jun.8 (GMM) Mercedes’ Toto Wolff has confirmed reports that the team will appear in the 2019 edition of the Netflix documentary series. We claimed recently that, after both Mercedes and Ferrari opted out of the inaugural 2018 edition, Liberty Media had convinced both to take part for series two. “We didn’t participate because it was […]
Haas removes ‘stag’ logo in Canada
Jun.8 (GMM) Haas has removed the ‘stag’ logo from its F1 livery in Canada. Recently, title sponsor Rich Energy lost a trademark dispute with a bicycle manufacturer that alleged its antler-like logo was stolen by the energy drink brand. Rich Energy said it subsequently asked Haas to remove the logo to avoid a “media circus”. […]
Hamilton ‘unbeatable’ in Canada – Rosberg
Jun.8 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton will surely win Sunday’s Canadian GP. That is the view of his former teammate Nico Rosberg, even though Friday in Montreal indicated that the race could actually be closer. Valtteri Bottas, for instance, is in top form as Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate this year, while Ferrari was fastest of all in Friday […]
Ocon ‘working hard’ for 2020 race seat
Jun.8 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says his hopes of returning to the grid next year remain high. Having missed out on a seat for 2019, the former Force India driver now travels the calendar as Mercedes’ reserve. He is strongly backed by Toto Wolff, but with Valtteri Bottas performing so well so far this year, Ocon […]
Father eyes 2020 Williams race seat for Latifi
Jun.8 (GMM) Nicholas Latifi’s influential father says the Canadian driver wants a place on the 2020 grid. This weekend, the 23-year-old Formula 2 championship leader appeared for Williams in the Friday morning session. Latifi has been linked with Robert Kubica’s seat for 2020. “Williams is a good fit for Nicholas,” Michael Latifi, a billionaire and […]
Wolff admits Hockenheim future ‘bleak’
Jun.8 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted both Hockenheim and Barcelona will “probably” be missing from the 2020 calendar. With Vietnam and Zandvoort set to host new races, Liberty Media says it doesn’t want to expand the schedule beyond 21 races for now. It means two current races will go. Mercedes boss Wolff admits that the […]
No 2020 contract talk for Bottas yet
Jun.8 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas’ future remains unclear. The Finn is enjoying a surge in personal form this year, and currently appears to be Lewis Hamilton’s only real competitor for the title. But after replacing Nico Rosberg for 2017, he is currently on a one-year contract. “We have not talked a word about the future,” Bottas […]
Upgrade not enough to match Ferrari engine – Bottas
Jun.7 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is expecting a “tough fight” in Montreal. On the face of it, given its utter dominance in 2019, another race should not pose a problem for Mercedes. But the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is perfect for the Ferrari concept, which favours straight line speed over cornering. And Hamilton also thinks Red Bull-Honda […]
Ericsson shows how F1 must improve – Sainz
Jun.7 (GMM) Marcus Ericsson is a good example of how Formula 1 must improve. That is the view of McLaren driver Carlos Sainz, as the new rules for 2021 begin to shape up this weekend in Montreal. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the draft 2021 regulations have finally now landed on the teams’ desks, […]
Kubica plays down battle with Russell
Jun.7 (GMM) Robert Kubica has played down his battle with Williams teammate George Russell. There was much fanfare about Kubica’s return to F1 this year after an eight year absence with permanent arm injuries. But so far it has been his rookie teammate Russell, the reigning Formula 2 champion, dominating within the struggling British team. […]
Mexico GP future news due ‘in a month’ – Perez
Jun.7 (GMM) Sergio Perez admits a dark cloud still hangs over the future of his home race. Liberty Media has named two new races for 2020 – Zandvoort and Vietnam – but also said the calendar will not grow beyond its current 21 races. It means two current race hosts out of Barcelona, Silverstone, Hockenheim, […]
Mercedes yet to fill Lauda’s old role
Jun.7 (GMM) Mercedes is yet to fill Niki Lauda’s old role. Lauda, the F1 legend and triple world champion, was also the co-owner and chairman of the team’s supervisory board. His long-time friend Bernie Ecclestone said Mercedes will struggle without the 70-year-old, who died just over two weeks ago. “Niki always convinced the bosses why […]
Ferrari not writing off 2019 title
Jun.7 (GMM) Ferrari is not giving up on the 2019 world championship. Some believe that after six consecutive defeats this season, the Italian team should concede defeat to Mercedes and turn its focus to 2020. Sebastian Vettel agrees that it is now crucial that Ferrari improves steadily over the next three races. “But I’m not […]
Canada ‘good test’ for Renault engine – Ricciardo
Jun.7 (GMM) Canada will show how far Renault has come with its F1 power unit. That is the view of Daniel Ricciardo, and comes after his teammate Nico Hulkenberg said Renault’s reaction to earlier reliability problems was “impressive”. “This weekend will be a good test for our engine,” Ricciardo is quoted by Auto Hebdo. “I […]
Gasly names and shames F1 journalist
Jun.7 (GMM) Pierre Gasly has named and shamed a journalist that he says made up a ‘silly season’ story. Roberto Chinchero, who writes for motorsport.com, had written the story suggesting Nico Hulkenberg was being lined up by Red Bull to replace Gasly. Hulkenberg, who drives for Renault, called it “fake news”. “It was made up, […]
‘Youngster’ Norris hits back at Hamilton
Jun.7 (GMM) Lando Norris has hit back at Lewis Hamilton for saying Formula 1 is now “quite easy” for young drivers. In the FIA press conference in Montreal, the five time world champion asked 19-year-old Norris, who drives for McLaren, how old he is. “Shoot,” 34-year-old Hamilton replied when the teenager gave the answer. Later, […]