Apr.27 (GMM) Ferrari has played down claims it is the obvious favourite to win in Baku. After China, the famous team returned to its Maranello base and worked on a new rear wing and aerodynamic package that produces more downforce for Baku. Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc then dominated Friday practice with a car that […]
Boss says Williams ‘not for sale’
Apr.27 (GMM) Claire Williams has denied that the famous F1 team she leads is in negotiations to be sold. We reported this week that Dmitry Mazepin, a Russian billionaire who runs the fertiliser company Uralkali, opened talks recently in Shanghai. Uralkali, having last year tried to buy Force India, denied it. And now Claire Williams, […]
New Honda not 20hp better – Marko
Apr.26 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has played down reports that Honda’s new engine is 20 horse power better than its predecessor. We had quoted the Red Bull official as mentioning the 20hp figure in anticipation of Honda’s ‘Spec 2’ power unit debut this weekend in Baku. “20 horse power more is not correct,” Marko told […]
Perez eyes ‘big step forward’ for Barcelona
Apr.26 (GMM) Racing Point should look more competitive at the forthcoming Spanish grand prix. That is the view of Sergio Perez, who along with new teammate Lance Stroll has had a particularly low-profile start to 2019. The Mexican driver says that is because new team owner Lawrence Stroll only took over Force India late last […]
Williams to use new rear wing in Baku
Apr.26 (GMM) Struggling backmarker Williams has brought a new rear wing to Baku. It is the first obvious upgrade for 2019, but Robert Kubica in Baku said championship points remain “almost impossible”. The performance of the 2019 car is woeful, but the Polish driver also said it is inconsistent. “Sometimes the balance shifts from one […]
Steiner ‘not optimistic’ for Baku
Apr.26 (GMM) Haas boss Gunther Steiner says he is “not so optimistic” for Baku. In the last races, the American team has made it into Q3 with an obviously fast car, only to slump to almost the slowest in the field in the race. “We can clearly see in the data where we are wrong, […]
F2 boss confirms no Ferrari test for Schumacher
Apr.26 (GMM) Michael Schumacher’s Formula 2 boss has confirmed reports the young German will not be testing for Ferrari next month. We reported earlier that, after the son of Michael Schumacher drove the Ferrari for the first time in Bahrain, he will not get the same chance in the post-Spanish GP test. Italy’s La Gazzetta […]
Number 1 rivalry brings Ferrari ‘unrest’ – Heidfeld
Apr.26 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he sympathises with Ferrari ‘number 2’ Charles Leclerc. The five time world champion says the situation reminds him of his own F1 debut in 2007, when his teammate was then reigning champion Fernando Alonso. “There are scenarios where multiple world champions demand the number 1 position, and therefore you become […]
Formula E challenges ‘essence of motor sport’ – Hamilton
Apr.25 (GMM) Electric cars threaten the “basic essence of motor sport”. That is the view of five time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, who nonetheless says he enjoys watching Formula E. “The cars are getting cooler every year,” he told Sport Bild. “I watch the races and find it fascinating to see the future of […]
Schumacher set to miss next Ferrari test
Apr.25 (GMM) Mick Schumacher looks set to miss out on another Ferrari test in the days after the Spanish grand prix in May. The high profile Formula 2 and Ferrari academy driver got to drive both the Ferrari and the Alfa Romeo in the post-Bahrain GP test earlier this month. But Italy’s Autosprint reports that […]
Hamilton fighting ‘both’ Vettel and Leclerc
Apr.25 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is fighting both Ferrari drivers for the 2019 title. After China, a controversy ignited in Italy because meteoric Ferrari newcomer Leclerc was ordered aside for team ‘number 1’ Vettel. F1 legend Gerhard Berger is not sure Ferrari’s policy is right. “I don’t think it’s enough to say ‘one is […]
Senna-Hamilton race ‘would be exciting’ – Massa
Apr.25 (GMM) A wheel to wheel race between Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton would be “exciting”. That is the view of Felipe Massa, who in 2008 almost beat Hamilton to his first title. “It would be exciting to see, no question,” the Brazilian told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper. “But we will never know who would be […]
F1 racing not in ‘female nature’ – Marko
Apr.25 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko doubts women are up to the job of racing in F1. Currently, a full grid of female drivers is preparing to race in the inaugural ‘W Series’. Red Bull’s Marko doubts any of them will make it to F1. “Wheel to wheel fighting at 300kph means you must have some […]
‘Hobby’ driver Raikkonen fully motivated – boss
Apr.25 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur has played down Kimi Raikkonen’s claim that F1 is now “a hobby” for him. “It’s become more of a hobby for me lately than anything else and probably that’s why it’s more fun again,” the Finnish driver said recently. Set to turn 40 in October, Raikkonen is the most experienced driver […]
Ferrari still ‘at eye level’ – Hamilton
Apr.25 (GMM) Ferrari is far from giving up on the 2019 season, according to boss Mattia Binotto. After a winter of promise, the Maranello team is yet to win a race so far while Mercedes has had the best start to a F1 season since Nigel Mansell in 1992. “In Barcelona, Bahrain and China, the […]
Miami street race plans now dead
Apr.25 (GMM) Plans for a street race in downtown Miami are now definitely dead. The Miami Herald reports that race organisers and Liberty Media “have mutually decided to scrap” the F1 plans because city disruption “would be too great”. However, it is reportedly now possible that a future race could take place near Hard Rock […]
Honda confirms new engine for Baku
Apr.24 (GMM) Honda has confirmed that it is taking a more powerful engine to Baku this weekend. Last week, Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko said the new engine is 20 horse power better than the power unit used in Melbourne, Bahrain and China. And Christian Horner said: “There are things in the pipeline that should […]
GP promoter wants Russian to buy Williams
Apr.24 (GMM) The promoter of Russia’s grand prix at Sochi thinks now is a good time for billionaire Dmitry Mazepin to take over Williams. Mazepin’s company Uralkali has denied rumours that the Russian, whose son is Formula 2 driver Nikita Mazepin, is “negotiating” to buy the struggling British team. “I don’t want to comment on […]
Vettel shaves moustache for Baku
Apr.24 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has followed the advice of an Italian newspaper ahead of the grand prix in Baku. Amid intense criticism of his start to the 2019 season alongside the exciting newcomer Charles Leclerc, La Stampa said of Vettel after China: “He should shave his moustache”. Some thought Vettel’s moustache was a tribute to […]
Russell expects Williams to stay slowest
Apr.24 (GMM) Williams’ race drivers seem resigned to a full season at the back of the grid. The once-great British team’s slump is so severe that co-founder Sir Patrick Head has been brought out of retirement. “It’s the right step,” Robert Kubica is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport. “But Patrick Head can do nothing […]