Jun.4 (GMM) Mercedes could have a tougher challenge on its hands this weekend in Canada. Although the German team has proved utterly dominant in 2019, winning all six races so far, the concept of Ferrari’s car is tipped to be strong in Montreal. “The track characteristics present a different challenge, given that top speed, braking […]
F1 ‘dream’ almost over for young drivers – Villeneuve
Jun.3 (GMM) F1 is now hardly even a “dream” for up and coming racing drivers. That is the view of 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, as he announced he is heading a new driving school in collaboration with his friend Patrick Lemarie. Based at Magny Cours, ‘Feed Racing France’ aims to resurrect the idea that […]
Mercedes staying in F1 until 2025 – report
Jun.3 (GMM) Mercedes’ future in F1 looks secure beyond 2020. Currently, the teams are locked in tense negotiations with Liberty Media for the new Concorde Agreement. On paper, June is the deadline for the publication of the 2021 rules, but publicly the teams are not confident it will get done on time. “I’m sure something […]
No F1 test for Williams’ new female driver
Jun.3 (GMM) Claire Williams says female driver Jamie Chadwick will not test the F1 car any time soon. Recently, the British team signed up the 21-year-old ‘W Series’ frontrunner as a development driver. Some think it could be part of a reaction to the earlier news that, of F1’s ten teams, Williams’ was the one […]
Body wants support for new Spanish GP deal
Jun.3 (GMM) The Royal Automobile Club of Catalonia (RACC) has joined the fight to help keep the Spanish GP in Barcelona. It appears that the annual race at the Circuit de Catalunya could be a victim as Liberty Media makes room for new races at Zandvoort and in Vietnam for 2020. With the uncertainty continuing, […]
F1 insider comments on Renault-Ferrari alliance
Jun.3 (GMM) Well-known Ferrari insider Leo Turrini predicts that the Maranello team and Renault are about to align politically in F1. Fiat Chrysler chairman John Elkann is reportedly behind a $37 billion proposal to merge the carmaker with Renault. The new alliance would make Fiat Chrysler Renault the third largest automotive player in the world, […]
Rio, Sao Paulo, fight for 2021 Brazil GP
Jun.3 (GMM) Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are now locked in a struggle to be the future host of the Brazilian GP. Currently, the race is held at Interlagos, a neighbourhood of Sao Paulo. But recently, new Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro caused a major stir by saying the race would be held at a […]
Owner says Racing Point targeting victory
Jun.3 (GMM) Team owner Lawrence Stroll is targeting nothing other than victory in Formula 1. But he admits that buying Force India last year was just the first step. “First we wanted to restore financial stability and give the engineers the means to develop the car,” the Canadian billionaire, whose son Lance drives for the […]
Hulkenberg impressed by Renault engine fix
Jun.3 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has praised Renault for reacting to early engine problems in 2019. Amid Renault’s performance and reliability struggles this year, the German is actually being linked with a move to Red Bull for 2019. But Hulkenberg said he was actually impressed with how the French works team fixed an engine flaw that […]
Montreal confident about long-term F1 future
Jun.3 (GMM) With its brand new facilities, the Canadian GP venue in Montreal looks safe for the long term. That is the view of promoter Francois Dumontier, who played down suggestions the new pit building will not be ready for this weekend’s race. “There is no embarrassment for Montreal,” he told Le Journal de Montreal […]
Vettel struggling for number 1 status – Berger
Jun.3 (GMM) Rumours are now swirling around Sebastian Vettel’s suddenly unclear future. The German, who headed into 2019 as Ferrari’s undisputed number 1, is now being blamed in part for the team’s crisis and under pressure from teammate Charles Leclerc. “Seb is a hard worker, as Schumacher was,” F1 legend Gerhard Berger told La Gazzetta […]
Briatore hints Alonso-McLaren Indy 500 project over
May 31 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has given a strong hint that Fernando Alonso will not return to the Indy 500 with McLaren. Fully competitive with an Andretti car in 2017 before an engine problem, Spaniard Alonso tried to complete his ‘triple crown’ this year but the full McLaren entry failed even to qualify. It has […]
Briatore slams Ferrari strategy blunder
May 31 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has slammed the strategy mistake made by Ferrari in Monaco. To save tyres, Charles Leclerc – fastest in the final practice session – was kept in the pits after a single run in Q1 and therefore qualified near the back of the grid. Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri this week apologised […]
Honda driver ‘dreaming’ of F1 move
May 31 (GMM) A Japanese driver is moving closer to his goal of Formula 1. Honda not only supplies engines to Red Bull and Toro Rosso, it also supports Nobuharu Matsushita, a leading Formula 2 driver. “I’m still dreaming of Formula 1 and getting a seat there,” the 25-year-old said. “This is a big dream […]
Kubica sponsor says too early to consider 2020
May 31 (GMM) Robert Kubica’s major sponsor is not yet willing to talk about 2020. There has been speculation that because the Pole is struggling alongside teammate George Russell this year, Williams or his backer PKN Orlen could drop him. “I have read a lot of different comments and speculation about Robert’s future, but only […]
Drivers query Monaco track change for 2019
May 30 (GMM) Some drivers believe the Monaco layout was tweaked without their knowledge ahead of the 2019 race. Officially, the circuit remained at precisely 3.337 kilometres from 2018 to 2019. But some drivers disagree, and according to Auto Motor und Sport raised the issue at the driver briefing. They claim the second part of […]
Kubica happy to prove doubters wrong
May 30 (GMM) Robert Kubica may be last at almost every race, but he says he has shown he can still race a Formula 1 car. Due to his permanent arm injuries sustained in a 2011 rallying crash, some doubted the Pole would be able to handle the twistiest circuits like Monaco. “I knew everything […]
Ferrari CEO apologises to Leclerc
May 30 (GMM) Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri has apologised publicly for the errors that messed up local driver Charles Leclerc’s qualifying in Monaco. The Monaco born 21-year-old was fastest in the final practice session before qualifying, only to be knocked out in Q1 when Ferrari strategists decided not to let him back out of the […]
Still no Mistral straight for French GP
May 30 (GMM) Using the full Mistral straight has once again been ruled out by organisers of the French GP. Last year, F1 returned to Paul Ricard, but a chicane in the middle of the epic Mistral straight was used. Asked if the chicane would be skipped for 2019, French GP director Gilles Dufeigneux told […]
2020 driver ‘silly season’ kicking off
May 30 (GMM) Six races into 2019, the driver ‘silly season’ looks set to kick off. The most explosive rumour is that four time world champion Sebastian Vettel, under huge pressure at Ferrari this year, could be contemplating retirement at the end of the season. In Monaco, he admitted his role in Ferrari’s issues. “Well, […]