Jan.4 (GMM) McLaren’s former long-time team manager Jo Ramirez thinks “passion” is lacking in the Woking team of today. Ever present throughout the glorious Senna and Hakkinen eras, the 75-year-old Mexican told Spanish radio Cadena Cope that he remains well connected with McLaren figures now. “Unfortunately, McLaren is in a very delicate situation because there […]
Renault’s Palmer not ruling out 2017 podium
Jan.4 (GMM) Renault can target points and maybe even a podium in 2017. That is the claim of Jolyon Palmer, even though the French team’s incoming new driver, Nico Hulkenberg, has warned that breaking into the top ten this year might be tough. Indeed, Palmer scored just a single point in 2016, but the Briton […]
Haas ‘better fit’ than Renault or McLaren – Magnussen
Jan.4 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen is sure he will enjoy his F1 career more now that he has switched teams for the second time. The Dane debuted for McLaren, but fell out with Ron Dennis, who has now been ousted himself by the Woking based team’s other shareholders. Magnussen, 24, returned after a year’s absence with […]
No 2017 return for Haryanto – mother
Jan.4 (GMM) Rio Haryanto has dropped out of the running to return to F1 in 2017. The Indonesian rookie’s 2016 season ended prematurely with sponsor trouble, and now his main backer Pertamina has pulled out completely. Haryanto, 23, had been in the running to return this year with either Manor or Sauber. But his mother, […]
Toro Rosso eyes engine naming deal
Jan.3 (GMM) Toro Rosso is in talks about selling the naming rights of the team’s engine supplier for 2017. When the FIA published the provisional 2017 entry list recently, the name of Toro Rosso’s engine was listed as ‘TBC’ (to be confirmed). That is despite the fact that the Faenza based team has done a […]
Brown plays down McLaren sale talk
Jan.3 (GMM) Zak Brown thinks his impact at McLaren can be felt immediately in 2017. The former F1 sponsorship guru has now left that role to become the new executive at the Woking team, whose founder and long time chief Ron Dennis was ousted amid a shareholder dispute. “There’s trouble between (them),” Brown confirmed to […]
Hakkinen hopes to see Schumacher again
Jan.3 (GMM) As the three-year anniversary of his skiing accident passes, Michael Schumacher is quietly turning 48. The anniversaries have not escaped the attention of the F1 legend’s old title nemesis, Mika Hakkinen, who called the German “a great man”. “He is an incredible personality and a great person,” the Finn told Germany’s Bild newspaper. […]
Ricciardo relationship could change – Verstappen
Jan.3 (GMM) Max Verstappen admits that if Red Bull’s 2017 car is a title challenger, his relationship with teammate Daniel Ricciardo would change. However, the young Dutchman says that so far, he gets on very well with his Australian colleague. “When you see Daniel, he is always smiling and making everyone laugh,” Verstappen told De […]
Rosberg trainer unsure of next move
Jan.3 (GMM) Nico Rosberg’s physical trainer is not sure what his next move will be. Daniel Schlosser, an ever-present figure on Rosberg’s shoulder for years, was also caught by surprise by the Mercedes driver’s sudden decision to retire as world champion. “For me, everything came very suddenly,” he told Bild newspaper. “I’m exploring my options […]
Ferrari to crack 1000hp in 2017 – report
Jan.3 (GMM) Ferrari will crack the 1000 horse power barrier with its 2017 engine, according to a report in Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. The sports newspaper also speculated that the Maranello team’s new machine, codenamed 668 and set to be launched on February 24, will have a narrow nose and new gearbox. As for […]
Bottas, Wehrlein, Massa moves to be confirmed
Jan.3 (GMM) The late and sensational rush in the 2017 driver ‘silly season’ is now set to end. Germany’s Bild newspaper reports that Pascal Wehrlein’s switch from Manor to Sauber is set to be confirmed imminently. It is just the latest sign that Finn Valtteri Bottas is the one who has been selected to replace […]
Focus leads to Vettel frustration – Ricciardo
Jan.3 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says it is former teammate Sebastian Vettel’s unbridled focus on F1 that leads to his obvious “frustration”. After Vettel’s run of four straight titles at Red Bull, the pair were teammates in 2014 before the German moved to Ferrari. So when asked by the Sydney Morning Herald about Vettel’s clear signs […]
McLaren denies Alonso-Le Mans report
Jan.3 (GMM) McLaren has rubbished reports that Fernando Alonso will star as the British marque prepares to return to Le Mans. The Spanish website motoryracing.com said the information came straight from McLaren’s new executive chief Zak Brown, who was quoted as saying the team has acknowledged Alonso’s desire to tackle the fabled 24 hour sports […]
Rosberg exit is Ricciardo boost – Webber
Dec.28 (GMM) The shock retirement of world champion Nico Rosberg is a big boost to Daniel Ricciardo’s title chances. That is the view of Ricciardo’s Australian countryman Mark Webber, who thinks his Red Bull successor is among one of the very best in the sport today. “Daniel was probably the most consistent driver in the […]
Liberty not offering teams voting power – report
Dec.28 (GMM) F1 teams are being offered shares in the sport but not voting rights, according to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. Correspondent Michael Schmidt said new owners Liberty Media are keen for the teams to take 20 per cent ($800 million) of the commercial rights, with the end of January as a deadline for […]
Stewart says only 5 drivers earn more than him
Dec.28 (GMM) Sir Jackie Stewart claims he earns more than most of the entire F1 grid. The legend and triple world champion retired as a driver in 1973, but now he continues to play a role through his involvement with bringing big name sponsors to the sport, including Rolex and Heineken. “I try to give […]
Massa not commenting on F1 return
Dec.28 (GMM) Felipe Massa is still refusing to comment on widespread speculation his F1 retirement will be very short lived. Given Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement, it is reported that Massa will call off his retirement in order to replace Valtteri Bottas at Williams, with the Finn heading off to Mercedes. But after playing in a […]
Nasr admits he could lose F1 seat
Dec.28 (GMM) Felipe Nasr has admitted it is possible he will be left without a F1 seat for 2017. And if that happens, unless Felipe Massa returns from retirement, the sport will be without a single Brazilian driver. “I think it would be bad for the sport,” Nasr told Brazil’s Globo. “Brazil has so much […]
Rosberg hits back at Hamilton complaints
Dec.28 (GMM) World champion Nico Rosberg has hit back at his former teammate’s complaints about losing key members of his race crew in 2016. Prior to the 2016 season, Mercedes mixed up the two sides of the silver-clad garage, with Lewis Hamilton complaining ever since about the effect it had on his subsequent campaign. But […]
Schumacher’s son targets F1 title
Dec.28 (GMM) Mick Schumacher says he wants to follow in his famous father’s footsteps by winning the world championship. “I want to be formula one world champion, like every driver,” said the 17-year-old, who is moving into the top European F3 championship for 2017. “Formula 3 is the next step for me and I can […]