Apr.5 (GMM) Silverstone looks set to secure its place on the F1 calendar. Currently, the future of the British grand prix is in doubt, after organisers terminated a contract that it said was financially untenable. But Auto Motor und Sport claims that the organisers now look set to ink a new deal with Liberty Media […]
Leclerc engine gets all-clear for China
Apr.5 (GMM) The engine that thwarted Charles Leclerc’s push for a sure victory in Bahrain will be back in the red car next weekend. That is the news from Sky Italia, reporting that after an analysis at Maranello, the engine problem has been isolated to a “damaged cylinder injector”. “The engine is safe for China,” […]
Binotto era eases pressure on Ferrari – Gene
Apr.5 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has succeeded in easing the pressure on the shoulders of those at Ferrari. That is the claim from within the fabled Italian team, with long-time tester Marc Gene telling the Dutch publication Formule 1: “You always feel pressure at Ferrari. “But you can feel that pressure less strongly than before.” That […]
No ‘B’ car to fix aero problem – Marko
Apr.5 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has denied that Red Bull needs a ‘B’ car in 2019. The Red Bull official says team designer Adrian Newey was “deep in thought” after the extent of the 2019 car’s aerodynamic issues became clear in Bahrain. “That means he has recognised the problem,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. […]
Alonso not thinking about 2020 until July
Apr.5 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he will not think about his plans for 2020 until July. Having quit F1, the two-time champion is currently preparing for the Indy 500 and Le Mans. But he tested for McLaren in Bahrain last week and is not ruling out a 2020 return to F1 if he has a […]
Former Ferrari boss plays down Schumacher hype
Apr.5 (GMM) A former Ferrari team boss has dismissed the hype surrounding Mick Schumacher. The top member of Ferrari’s development academy, Formula 2 driver Schumacher tested both the Ferrari and the Alfa Romeo last week in Bahrain to great fanfare. But Cesare Fiorio, who ran Ferrari in the late 80s and early 90s, is not […]
Williams admits ‘guilt’ in key team change
Apr.4 (GMM) Claire Williams has admitted she was responsible for a change in Williams’ team structure that resulted in the once-great outfit’s 2019 crisis. She said that during Williams’ “four good seasons”, including third place finishes in the constructors’ championship in 2014 and 2015, she made the change. “In order to preserve our results and […]
Ferrari engine has ‘over 1000hp’ – Schumacher
Apr.4 (GMM) Mick Schumacher may have let the cat out of the bag about the power of Ferrari’s 2019 engine. After a stuttering start in Australia, Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko observed in Bahrain that the new Ferrari power unit for this year “goes like hell”. Schumacher, the son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, got […]
Schumacher did ‘good job’ in F1 tests – Vettel
Apr.4 (GMM) Mick Schumacher did “a good job” when he tested for Ferrari in Bahrain this week. That is the view of Sebastian Vettel, even if some mischievous members of the Italian media are saying the four-time world champion could be replaced by the younger German. La Gazzetta dello Sport said the sight of a […]
Verstappen not desperate to be youngest champion
Apr.4 (GMM) Max Verstappen says it will not be the end of the world if he fails to become F1’s youngest ever champion. Red Bull has made it a goal for the 21-year-old Dutchman to beat Sebastian Vettel’s existing record. Vettel was 23 when he won his first of four titles in 2010. However, it […]
Tiktum not sure if next F1 chance will come
Apr.4 (GMM) Dan Tiktum says he isn’t sure if and when he will get the next opportunity to drive a F1 car. Strongly linked to the 2019 Toro Rosso seat for this year, the 19-year-old Briton ultimately ran afoul of the F1 super license rules and this year is instead racing in Japanese Super Formula. […]
Ricciardo admits struggling with Renault
Apr.3 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has admitted he is struggling to get up to speed at Renault. The Australian left Red Bull to lead the works French team from the cockpit in 2019, but so far he is not standing out next to Nico Hulkenberg. “The car is showing signs of speed, but personally I am […]
F1 return only with title-winning team – Alonso
Apr.3 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has repeated his claim that he is not planning to return to formula one. However, since the Spaniard quit the sport last November, he has also not ruled out a comeback. In Bahrain, after just a four month break from the F1 cockpit, Alonso was back at the wheel of a […]
Ross Brawn backs ‘B teams’ like Haas
Apr.3 (GMM) Ross Brawn has spoken up in favour of Ferrari ‘B team’ Haas. In Bahrain, team boss Gunther Steiner responded to bigger teams like Renault who have strongly criticised the way Haas simply buys many components from Ferrari. “Leave us alone to do our job,” Steiner said. “If you’re a manufacturer team and you […]
Experts not sure Schumacher next F1 sensation
Apr.3 (GMM) Two F1 experts are not so sure that Mick Schumacher will be the next sensation to hit the pinnacle of motor sport. The 20-year-old son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, watched on by mother Corinna in Bahrain, made his F1 test debut for Ferrari on Tuesday. “They’re not bad, are they?” said Mick’s […]
Schumacher still in no rush for F1 grid
Apr.3 (GMM) Mick Schumacher says he is still in no rush to step up to formula one. That is despite the fact the 20-year-old son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher made his F1 test debut for Ferrari in Bahrain on Tuesday. Only Max Verstappen was faster in the Red Bull. When asked if he tried […]
Ferrari ‘not alarmed’ after engine problem – Binotto
Apr.2 (GMM) Ferrari is “not alarmed” even though it has failed to win either of the opening two races of 2019. That is the view of the fabled Italian team’s new boss Mattia Binotto. In Australia, Ferrari was simply outclassed by Mercedes, but last weekend in Bahrain it was an engine problem that spoiled Charles […]
Red Bull must ‘quickly’ improve car – Verstappen
Apr.2 (GMM) Max Verstappen has admitted that, for now at least, he does not have a car with which to challenge for the 2019 title. Red Bull-Honda started the year with high hopes, but after two races it is clear that Ferrari and Mercedes are ahead. “We have more questions for the chassis than for […]
Renault must solve ‘unacceptable’ problems – boss
Apr.2 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul admitted that Renault’s weekend in Bahrain was “unacceptable”. But he did not point the finger at the drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg. “As in Melbourne, our qualifying was seriously affected by electronics problems,” team boss Abiteboul said. And then in the race, both cars astonishingly failed on the same lap […]
F1 tests ‘next step’ on road to grid – Schumacher
Apr.2 (GMM) Mick Schumacher has finally admitted to looking forward to his F1 test debut this week. F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s 20-year-old son attracted a huge media scrum in Bahrain last week, but he insisted he was focused only on his Formula 2 debut. Now, the young German is looking forward to driving the Ferrari […]