Jul.19 (GMM) An anonymous engineer says struggling once-great F1 teams Williams and McLaren need to make sweeping changes. Both British teams have enjoyed the highs of the pinnacle of motor racing, but both are now struggling notably in 2018. One engineer who worked for both teams told Auto Motor und Sport: “Both are mature teams […]
F1 eyes 20-year deal for Miami GP
Jul.18 (GMM) Yet another meeting could finally mean the green light for a grand prix in Miami. We have reported that Liberty Media is holding fire on publishing the 2019 calendar because of the extended negotiations about a race in the Florida capital. In May, city planners met to discuss the race, with local media […]
Newspaper links Raikkonen with Sauber return
Jul.17 (GMM) The signs are growing ever stronger that Ferrari will have a new driver in 2019. Kimi Raikkonen admits that it is “up to the team” whether he stays next year. Strong speculation suggests Charles Leclerc has already been signed up until 2020. In turn, the Swiss newspaper Blick reports that Raikkonen could return […]
No regrets about controversial Haas approach – boss
Jul.17 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says he has no regrets about the path taken by controversial American team Haas. As Haas stepped up the grid in 2018 to sit behind the top three teams in outright performance, some drivers raised their eyebrows. “I think there is more than one Ferrari (team) in the race now,” said […]
Claire Williams contemplating ‘difficult decisions’
Jul.17 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin has given more details about his biggest problem with Williams’ 2018 car. While the car is obviously uncompetitive, both the Russian driver and his teammate Lance Stroll have also complained about the seating position. “A think a lot of time has passed now so no one will argue if I tell […]
F1 should be harder on ‘crazy’ drivers
Jul.17 (GMM) Former F1 test driver Daniel Juncadella says F1 should use the stewards to control “crazy” and “aggressive” drivers. Many have complained about the inconsistency of the FIA stewards’ rulings, but Juncadella, who now races in DTM, thinks that inconsistency could have a role to play. “I think past actions should be remembered,” the […]
Red Bull encourages Honda to prepare for 2019
Jul.17 (GMM) Red Bull is encouraging Toro Rosso and Honda to help the senior energy drink-owned team prepare for 2019. Honda already supplies engines to Toro Rosso, the sister Red Bull team. But next year, Red Bull Racing is joining the fold, and the senior outfit wants Toro Rosso to accept the prospect of penalties […]
Tost defends Honda before Red Bull move
Jul.16 (GMM) Franz Tost has defended Honda amid concerns the Japanese manufacturer is not up to the task of powering the senior Red Bull team from 2019. Tost is the team boss at Toro Rosso, the second Red Bull owned team that started using Honda power this year. He told ORF: “I’ve never had problems […]
Father no longer Red Bull scout – Verstappen
Jul.16 (GMM) Max Verstappen says his father Jos no longer works with young Red Bull drivers. Over a year ago, former F1 driver Jos Verstappen started working with the energy drink company to identify and groom young talent in junior categories like karting and F3. But when asked by Austria’s Laola1 if his father is […]
Mercedes still favourite for title – Briatore
Jul.16 (GMM) Flavio Briatore thinks Mercedes is still the favourite for the 2018 world championship. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel has taken an 8 point lead in the drivers’ standings, but former Renault boss Briatore thinks there is more to it than that. “Ferrari only gained the upper hand because Mercedes was unlucky for two races,” he […]
FIA says no to F1 test for Dan Ticktum
Jul.12 (GMM) Red Bull has hit an obstacle as it tries to promote its next young F1 hotshot. The energy drink company has been looking for a potential replacement for struggling Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley. It found him in the form of Daniel Ticktum, a 19-year-old Briton and Red Bull junior driver. A few […]
Renault engine ‘really a problem’ – Verstappen
Jul.12 (GMM) Max Verstappen says Red Bull’s title chances have taken a dive. Although the Dutchman won in Austria, he says at the most recent races, Renault’s power deficit has become a much bigger problem. “I think we have the strongest chassis of anyone,” said Verstappen. “If we had the Mercedes or Ferrari engine, they […]
2019 calendar waiting on Miami troubles
Jul.12 (GMM) Liberty Media is waiting on progress in Miami before finalising the 2018 calendar. It has emerged that the opening seven races on next year’s schedule – every race between March and June – have now been fixed: Australia, Bahrain, China, Azerbaijan, Spain, Monaco and Canada. And the season finale will take place on […]
Liberty working on Silverstone deal – Brawn
Jul.11 (GMM) Ross Brawn says Liberty Media is working on securing the future of the British grand prix. Silverstone owner the BRDC has actually triggered a break clause in the contract, meaning that unless another deal can be agreed, 2019 will be the last race. F1 owner Liberty’s sporting boss Brawn says he’s working on […]
Gutierrez pushing for F1 return
Jul.11 (GMM) Esteban Gutierrez says he is trying to get back onto the F1 grid. The Mexican lost his Haas seat after the 2016 season, and since then has made appearances in Formula E and Indycar. But he was back in the F1 paddock last weekend, appearing in Mercedes team gear at Silverstone. The world […]
Ricciardo admits Red Bull deal ‘likely’
Jul.11 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo now says it is “likely” he will stay at Red Bull in 2019. Earlier, the Red Bull driver was toying with a move to Ferrari, Mercedes or even McLaren. But now he is quoted by Spain’s AS newspaper: “It is increasingly likely that I will stay, although I haven’t signed yet […]
Alonso no fan of proposed new points system
Jul.11 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he is not sure changing the points system is a good move for F1. Over the British grand prix weekend, it emerged that at the latest strategy group meeting, a proposal to expand the points paying positions from the top 10 to the top 15 cars had been tabled. But […]
Ferrari engine better than Mercedes – Rosberg
Jul.10 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says the engine is what is making the difference at Ferrari this year. The 2016 world champion says he thinks his old teammate Lewis Hamilton is having a tough time fending off Sebastian Vettel’s title assault mainly because of horse power. “I know from an insider source why Ferrari is so […]
Renault felt like Formula 2 engine – Verstappen
Jul.10 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he feels as though he has been relegated to Formula 2. In the Honda era, Fernando Alonso at one point called his Honda power unit a “GP2 engine”. But Verstappen says he knows how the Spaniard felt. “If you’re missing 70-80hp you know you’re going to struggle,” he said at […]
Grosjean form ‘unacceptable’ – Steiner
Jul.10 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says a “critical moment” could come amid his patience with struggling Haas driver Romain Grosjean. Frenchman Grosjean has had a mainly poor season with the American team, and it didn’t get better at Silverstone. Haas had to change his chassis after a crash in Friday practice, then in the race he […]