May 11 (GMM) Ferrari will not supply a test car to Pirelli for the development of 18-inch tyres for 2021. Earlier, we claimed that the three teams that have agreed to supply test cars to Pirelli this year are Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault. But Pirelli’s Mario Isola said in Barcelona that the three teams are […]
Magnussen doubts Haas has solved tyre problem
May 11 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen doubts Haas has solved its tyre problem. However, the American team looks highly competitive in Spain, but it is believed that is because the abrasive Barcelona surface ‘turns on’ the Pirelli tyres. Elsewhere, Haas is struggling massively to make the 2019 Pirellis work. “It looks better here, but I’m not […]
Carey set to announce Zandvoort deal
May 11 (GMM) F1 is poised to confirm Zandvoort’s place on the 2020 calendar. We have learned that F1 chief executive Chase Carey is travelling to the Netherlands on Tuesday to announce the return of the Dutch grand prix. Reports suggest Zandvoort will replace Barcelona. “Hopefully they can agree on something,” Carlos Sainz, referring to […]
Sainz happy to be McLaren team leader
May 11 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he is happy to be the senior driver at McLaren. The Spaniard joined the British team from Renault, and his teammate in 2019 is the British rookie Lando Norris. Asked if he feels the responsibility of being the McLaren team leader, Sainz told El Mundo: “I do feel it, […]
Sao Paulo not giving up on F1
May 11 (GMM) Sao Paulo governor Joao Doria says he is not giving up on the Brazilian grand prix. The country’s president Jair Bolsonaro announced days ago that Rio de Janeiro will build a new circuit and take the race away from Sao Paulo for 2020. The news shocked Sao Paulo’s governor Doria. “There is […]
US GP safe after $25m lost funding scare
May 10 (GMM) F1’s US grand prix in Austin, Texas, appears back on track. In February, the event seemed in doubt after the organisers missed a paperwork deadline that would ensure a $25 million state government funding payment. The Associated Press now reports: “State lawmakers have stepped in with a measure that would let them […]
Perez backs standard components for 2021
May 10 (GMM) Sergio Perez is backing F1’s move to introduce more standard car components. Tenders have been issued by the FIA for standard components to include the gearbox, wheel rims and braking systems for 2021, and more are expected to follow. “In my opinion, this is one step out of many that we have […]
2021 rules ‘do not break Haas model’ – Steiner
May 10 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says Haas is happy with the proposed changes to the technical regulations for 2021. Earlier, rival teams were reportedly expressing concerns about the ‘Haas model’, which involves buying many of the parts from Ferrari rather than designing them. “The last proposal I saw was in February,” boss Steiner said in […]
Renault knew 2019 strategy was risky – Stoll
May 10 (GMM) Renault Sport president Jerome Stoll said the French marque “knew” it could find itself in a difficult situation in 2019. He said the works team made a conscious decision to push hard with aggressive development for the new season. “We knew we were taking risks and we could face a situation like […]
Ricciardo not regretting Renault move
May 10 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo insists he does not regret moving to Renault. The Australian left Red Bull, an undisputed top three team, for the works Renault project. His ex boss, Dr Helmut Marko, thinks Red Bull’s former engine supplier tricked Ricciardo with data. “Hand on my heart,” Ricciardo said in Barcelona. “I feel good […]
Magnussen to drive ‘old’ Haas in practice
May 10 (GMM) Only Romain Grosjean will be trying Haas’ major car upgrade in Friday practice. The American team has an objectively fast car this year, but it is the worst in the field in terms of getting temperature into the tyres in the race. So for Barcelona, the upgrades are extensive, including new wings, […]
Verstappen denies Red Bull has ‘new car’ for Spain
May 10 (GMM) Max Verstappen has denied that Red Bull has a “completely new car” for Barcelona. Some are predicting the Honda-powered team will be a real surprise this weekend in Spain, given the extent of the car upgrades. “I’ve even read reports that we have come here with a completely new car,” Dutchman Verstappen […]
Pressure ‘enormous’ for Ferrari – Ralf Schumacher
May 10 (GMM) Ferrari needs to win in Barcelona to keep its championship hopes alive. That is the view of former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, who said the pressure on the Maranello team in Spain is “enormous”. “Their potential is there, but wrong decisions, a technical problem and some driving errors has meant they have […]
Stroll plays down qualifying pace struggles
May 10 (GMM) Lance Stroll says he knows he has to improve his qualifying pace. The young Canadian moved for 2019 from struggling Williams to the newly-named Racing Point team, which was bought last year by Stroll’s father Lawrence. So far, he is struggling to be fast on Saturdays. “I’m not too worried because you […]
Hamilton says new engineer boosting Bottas
May 10 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have played down suggestions their relationship could break down. Some, including Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, have warned that given the closeness of their championship battle so far, there are signs the relationship could go the way of the toxic Hamilton-Nico Rosberg pairing. “I don’t think it’s appropriate […]
Ecclestone backs 21-race calendar for 2020
May 10 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has backed the move to keep the F1 calendar at 21 races. With Vietnam and Zandvoort reportedly coming in, it was expected Liberty Media’s push to expand the calendar had begun. But F1 chief executive Chase Carey says the 2020 calendar looks to also have 21 races. “The calendar at […]
Leclerc ‘seems faster’ than Vettel – Ecclestone
May 10 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has changed his mind about Charles Leclerc. Earlier, the former F1 supremo criticised Ferrari for installing the youngster as Sebastian Vettel’s new teammate. “I was wrong,” the 88-year-old told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I thought getting rid of Raikkonen was not a good idea. “Before giving a final judgement I […]
Leclerc admits reputation ‘encouraging’
May 10 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve says Charles Leclerc is not criticised as much as his Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel. 21-year-old Leclerc moved from Sauber to Ferrari for 2019 and so far he is being widely praised, despite his high profile qualifying crash in Baku. “Imagine if Vettel had done that,” 1997 world champion Villeneuve is […]
F2 to race 18-inch tyres in 2020
May 10 (GMM) Formula 2 will start using 18-inch Pirelli tyres next year, it was announced in Barcelona. The news was announced by Pat Symonds, who is the sport’s chief technical officer. He admitted it is a precursor to Formula 1’s switch to the lower profile tyres for 2021. “It’s a great opportunity for our […]
Williams could stop designing gearbox
May 10 (GMM) Claire Williams insists the struggling British team is not giving up on 2019. George Russell and Robert Kubica arrived in Barcelona with the media expecting Williams’ woeful car to be updated. But both drivers say the updates are actually smaller than expected. “There were a few things on the plan but unfortunately, […]