Aug.20 (GMM) Niki Lauda is making progress as he continues to recover from a lung transplant. The F1 legend missed the last two grands prix before the August break, and is still recovering in intensive care in Vienna. “There are days when he feels better and talks very well, and there are worse days too,” […]
New Perez deal due in ‘days’ – insider
Aug.17 (GMM) F1 may be in its summer ‘shutdown’, but the rumour mill is still in overdrive. It has been helped along with Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso’s announcements, with the next dominos now set to fall. One of them is Sergio Perez, who will stay at Force India under new ownership. “I […]
Alonso not ruling out future F1 return
Aug.17 (GMM) Although sitting out 2019, Fernando Alonso says he is not ruling out a return to formula one in the future. “Why close doors?” the Spaniard said at Silverstone after announcing his decision to quit F1. Alonso, having won Le Mans this year, is racing again for Toyota this weekend. It is rumoured he […]
Raikkonen rules out Rosberg-like role
Aug.17 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he cannot understand why Nico Rosberg retired as world champion after 2016. This week, the Finn launched the initial Finnish edition of his autobiography, which translates as ‘The Unknown Kimi Raikkonen’. He said that when he eventually retires from F1, staying away from the paddock will not be difficult. “No […]
Schumacher manager denies Mallorca move
Aug.17 (GMM) Michael Schumacher’s manager has denied reports the F1 legend is moving to Spain. It was reported this week, and confirmed by the local mayor, that the Schumacher family including the seven time world champion are relocating from Switzerland to a EUR 30 million property in Mallorca — an island off the Spanish coast. […]
Hamilton vs Vettel ‘best ever fight’ – Coulthard
Aug.16 (GMM) The F1 world is witnessing “possibly the best ever” fight for the world championship in 2018. That is the claim of former McLaren and Red Bull driver David Coulthard. He told Sport Bild: “This season we have one of the best title bouts in a long time and possibly the best ever. It […]
McLaren set to announce Sainz for 2019
Aug.16 (GMM) McLaren is set to announce that Carlos Sainz will replace Fernando Alonso in 2019 and 2020. That is the claim of multiple authoritative media outlets, all citing ‘sources’. Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo said the 23-year-old is currently holidaying in Mallorca, but confirmation of his switch from Renault will come “in the coming days”. […]
Alonso ‘lost motivation’ for F1 – Briatore
Aug.16 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is quitting F1 because he lost motivation — but he could return. That is the news from Flavio Briatore, the former Renault team boss who is still involved in Spaniard Alonso’s management. He told La Gazzetta dello Sport that the 37-year-old has decided to sit out 2019 in order to race […]
Vasseur says Sauber progress ‘huge’ in 2018
Aug.15 (GMM) Sauber boss Frederic Vasseur says he is happy with the Swiss team’s progress in 2018. Before new investment, a sponsor arrangement with Alfa Romeo and a deal to use Ferrari’s 2018 engines, Sauber was struggling for mere survival at the back of the grid. But now with Frenchman Vasseur in charge, the team […]
Indycar, Nascar begin to woo retiring Alonso
Aug.15 (GMM) Motor racing series have already begun lining up to attract Fernando Alonso for 2019. The Spaniard and McLaren have sensationally announced that Alonso, 37, is quitting formula one at the end of the year, although he didn’t rule out a return in the future. In the meantime, Alonso is wanted elsewhere. “DM us […]
Massa ‘annoyed’ by Stroll comments
Aug.14 (GMM) Felipe Massa has admitted he was “annoyed” by recent comments made by Williams driver Lance Stroll. Last year, F1 veteran Massa sat alongside teenage rookie Stroll at Williams, where it was common knowledge that the experienced Brazilian was his driving “mentor”. But Stroll insisted recently that he got “no guidance from him (Massa) […]
No air travel for Niki Lauda
Aug.14 (GMM) Niki Lauda may not be able to return to the F1 circuits any time soon. Recently, as he recovers in intensive care from a lung transplant, the F1 legend’s surgeon said Lauda should be able to return to “normal life” eventually. But Osterreich newspaper claims the Mercedes team chairman had a setback over […]
No Ricciardo race wins until 2020 – Abiteboul
Aug.14 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo may not have a car to win races in 2019, the Australian’s new boss has admitted. Ricciardo and Renault shocked the F1 world recently by announcing that the 29-year-old is leaving Red Bull at the end of the year. “His commitment to us proves our will to accelerate the catching-up process […]
F1 boss says more rule changes coming in ‘weeks’
Aug.10 (GMM) F1 will announce more changes to the regulations “in the coming weeks”. That is the news from Chase Carey, the sport’s chief executive in the Liberty Media era. Brazil’s Globo quotes the American as saying that in addition to a new front wing and other changes for 2019, Liberty is gearing up to […]
Perez assessing ‘options’ outside Force India
Aug.10 (GMM) Sergio Perez says he has “a number of options” to keep driving in formula one next year. The Mexican was recently among those who triggered Force India’s administration and subsequent sale, due to unpaid salary payments. Lance Stroll, whose father Lawrence is spearheading the consortium that has bought the team, is now linked […]
Massa understands Ricciardo’s Renault ‘risk’
Aug.10 (GMM) Felipe Massa says he can understand why Daniel Ricciardo decided to quit Red Bull. Ricciardo, one of F1’s top drivers, is leaving the top three team at the end of the year to join the works Renault project. Some think the Australian is moving solely for money, and his current boss Christian Horner […]
F1 still ‘pushing’ to save German GP – Carey
Aug.9 (GMM) F1 chief executive Chase Carey has given another strong sign that Germany could retain its place on the 2019 calendar. With the demise of the new Miami race for next season, it is believed Carey is determined to resurrect a mutually agreeable deal with Hockenheim. “We’re pushing for it,” Carey told Auto Bild. […]
Mick Schumacher confirms F1 ‘still my goal’
Aug.9 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has confirmed that formula one remains his “goal”. A few days ago, F1 chief executive Chase Carey said that if seven time world champion Michael Schumacher’s 19-year-old son made it to formula one, it would be a “great story”. Mick Schumacher recently won the European F3 race at Spa. “I only […]
Lauda should return to ‘normal’ – doctors
Aug.9 (GMM) Niki Lauda should be able to return to his “normal life”. That is the view of the doctors who are treating him in intensive care at a Vienna hospital. The F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman recently had a lung transplant, and the doctors told Osterreich newspaper that Lauda, 69, was close to […]
Gasly ready to replace Ricciardo at Red Bull
Aug.9 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says he is ready to make the step up to Red Bull. The energy drink owned team is contemplating which driver should replace the Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo. Gasly, the top driver at Toro Rosso, and Carlos Sainz are the favourites. “Yes, I would like that but I’m not thinking about it […]