Sep.24 (GMM) Advanced plans to bring F1 to Copenhagen have been scrapped. The Danish capital’s lord mayor Frank Jensen told the local Politiken newspaper: “We cannot participate in the planning of a project that carries so much risk.” Earlier, Copenhagen had been planning for a street race to begin in 2020. But Jensen explained: “I […]
Monza, Silverstone still in doubt after 2019
Sep.21 (GMM) A question mark continues to linger over the future of the historic Italian grand prix. The fabled race at Monza has been under a cloud for some time, but after the latest meeting of the organising club the Aci, president Angelo Sticchi Damiani says that uncertainty persists. “We wanted to inform the officials […]
Beating top teams ‘ridiculous’ goal – Budkowski
Sep.21 (GMM) Renault is not ready to charge for the world title. That is the admission of Marcin Budkowski, a former leading FIA official who has controversially switched to the French carmaker’s works F1 effort. He has recently been restructuring Renault in the background, but says those efforts will need to continue even after Daniel […]
Vettel misses Schumacher amid 2018 struggle
Sep.21 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel thinks he would benefit from the advice of his old friend and mentor Michael Schumacher. One analysis of recent events is that, despite finally having the best car, the German driver and Ferrari are self-sabotaging their chances of finally beating Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton. Vettel admitted to Sport Bild that he […]
Schumacher would boost F1 ratings – Glock
Sep.21 (GMM) Mick Schumacher would reinvigorate interest in formula one within Germany. That is the view of Timo Glock, a former grand prix driver who is now in the paddock as a pundit for German television. He told the Rheinische Post that young Schumacher is ready for the next step in his career. “I’ve talked […]
Sochi not ruling out night race
Sep.20 (GMM) Russia is not ruling out making its grand prix a night race in future. Although Sochi has been on the calendar since 2014, the organisation of the event has been taken over by a company called Rosgonki. It is headed by Alexei Titov, and he told Ria Novosti news agency that a night […]
Magnussen could do Daytona, Le Mans
Sep.20 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen could be about to join Fernando Alonso in adding some endurance sports car racing to his schedule. Denmark’s BT newspaper reports that the Haas driver wants to join his father Jan at Corvette for the 24 hour races of Daytona and Le Mans. “Corvette can see the potential of a father […]
Verstappen says Red Bull didn’t want Alonso
Sep.20 (GMM) Max Verstappen says Red Bull never considered signing up Fernando Alonso for 2019. That is despite the fact that, recently, retiring Spaniard Alonso and Red Bull chiefs were locked in a dispute over whether the energy drink company wanted him to fill a cockpit. “I had (an offer) in 2007, in 2009, in […]
Ocon has no regrets as F1 career stalls
Sep.20 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he has no regrets even though his F1 career looks set to stall. Many in the paddock are joining the Frenchman in his disappointment that, despite his talent, he looks set to lose his place at Force India to the son of new team owner Lawrence Stroll. “I am disappointed […]
Hamilton focused on building ‘brand’
Sep.20 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is focused on building himself up as a “brand”. The quadruple world champion, who looks to be heading for a fifth title in 2018, is also interested in the worlds of fashion, music, celebrity and pop culture. “I’m a brand and formula one is part of that brand,” the […]
Sainz hoping for better McLaren in 2019
Sep.20 (GMM) Carlos Sainz is hoping McLaren can make him a much better car for 2019. The Spaniard is switching from Renault to the once-great British team on a two-year contract starting next year. McLaren has struggled in recent years but Sainz says he is optimistic. “I have to be optimistic because it’s my nature, […]
Rosberg would forbid daughters from racing
Sep.20 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he would forbid his daughters from becoming racing drivers. The now 33-year-old quit formula one altogether immediately after winning the 2016 world championship. Asked about his young daughters Naila and Alaia and the prospect of them wanting careers in motor racing, German Rosberg said that would be his “biggest nightmare”. […]
Toro Rosso to wait for Ticktum super license
Sep.20 (GMM) Red Bull looks set to wait to finalise the 2019 driver lineup for Toro Rosso. Earlier, we suggested the energy drink company could be set to announce Daniil Kvyat and Pascal Wehrlein as its all-new drivers for Toro Rosso next year. But Dr Helmut Marko says the plan is only to announce one […]
Honda poised to pass Renault for power
Sep.19 (GMM) Honda could be poised to overtake Renault and cease having the least powerful engine in F1. Auto Motor und Sport (Germany) and Marca (Spain) report that in Russia, the Japanese carmaker will introduce the third version of its 2018 power unit. The publications say that Honda’s Spec 3 engine will be 35 hp […]
Ferrari not ready to sign for 2021 – Camilleri
Sep.19 (GMM) Ferrari is still a long way from agreeing to stay in formula one beyond 2020. That is the view of Ferrari’s current CEO Louis Camilleri. The 63-year-old took over recently following the death of Sergio Marchionne, who had warned that as Liberty Media looked to make technical, financial and governance changes for 2021, […]
Lauda still old self after Wolff hospital visit
Sep.19 (GMM) According to Toto Wolff, F1 legend Niki Lauda is still his old self as he recovers from life-saving lung transplant surgery in Vienna. Lauda, the triple world champion and Mercedes team chairman, is not likely to be seen in the paddock for the rest of 2018, but his friend and colleague Toto Wolff […]
Vettel not giving up on 2018 title
Sep.19 (GMM) According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the highly influential Italian sports daily, Sebastian Vettel said “Ciao Mondiali” to his hopes in Singapore. It means goodbye to the world championship, but neither the German driver, his Ferrari boss, or his former chief at Red Bull agree that it’s quite over yet. Vettel fell a […]
Williams not only option for future – Kubica
Sep.19 (GMM) Robert Kubica says he is not fixated on Williams as his only option for returning full-time to the F1 grid. Currently the British team’s reserve driver, the Pole has been named by Williams as the most likely replacement if Lance Stroll switches to Force India this year. But Kubica says he is more […]
FIA clears legality of camera-blocking ‘fan’
Sep.18 (GMM) F1’s governing body has cleared Ferrari to keep using a controversial airbox fan. In the Singapore pits, the Italian team was fitting a new bespoke ‘cooling’ device to its airbox, having been told by the FIA to stop the practice of crudely covering the on-board camera with a bag of ice. It is […]
Wehrlein on pole for Toro Rosso seat
Sep.18 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein has emerged as a top candidate to return to F1 next year. Just days ago, Mercedes admitted that after the German driver’s Manor and Sauber career ended, it has been unable to secure him another seat in F1 and is therefore ending the contract. “I am looking for new challenges and […]