Jun.11 (GMM) Toto Wolff says there will be “consequences” following Mercedes’ clear defeat in Montreal. With a fresh engine spec, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel dominated in Canada, therefore re-taking the championship lead by a single point. “We came to Montreal thinking our car would be strong,” Mercedes boss Wolff said. “Now we are going home with […]
Red Bull looks set for Honda switch
Jun.10 (GMM) Red Bull looks set to dump Renault and use works Honda engines from 2019. Actually, there is no official news but Red Bull has announced that “At our home race, there will be an announcement”. What the announcement is about is still unknown, but Red Bull is said to be pleased with Honda’s […]
Bottas says contract talks are close
Jun.10 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has suggested a deal to renew his contract at Mercedes is close. Others, including Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon, have been linked with his seat for 2019. But Bottas told Turun Sanomat newspaper in Montreal that talks are now nigh. “Certainly before the summer break we will talk, and hopefully we […]
Force India buyout agreed ‘in principle’
Jun.10 (GMM) The takeover of Force India by a British energy drink company looks set to be complete within days. William Storey, of Rich Energy, said speculation had forced him to reveal that a deal is in the offing. “In light of ill-informed media speculation and certain external moves to destabilise the team, I can […]
Alonso ‘will drive a McLaren’ in 2019 – Brown
Jun.10 (GMM) Former F1 driver Sebastien Buemi thinks Fernando Alonso’s next move could be to Formula E. Alonso passes the 300 grand prix mark in Canada this weekend, but next weekend he will tackle Le Mans and he is linked with a full-time Indycar seat for 2019. “I am proud to have been here for […]
Tensions showing at Williams – Kubica
Jun.9 (GMM) Robert Kubica has admitted tensions are showing behind the scenes at Williams. The once-great British team is having an awful 2018 season, having lost key engineers Ed Wood and Dirk de Beer and also set to lose main sponsor Martini. “The impact on the team? We’re obviously having quite a difficult start to […]
‘No plan to buy Force India’ – Wolff
Jun.9 (GMM) Toto Wolff has rejected rumours Mercedes might be shaping up to buy Force India. The rumour emerged not only after boss Vijay Mallya stepped down from the Force India board, but when Esteban Ocon hinted he had moved over for Lewis Hamilton in Monaco. “I spoke with Esteban and there was no order,” […]
Renault needs bigger F1 budget – Abiteboul
Jun.9 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has admitted Renault needs a bigger budget in order to fight for the world championship. The Frenchman said that when it comes to Renault’s ambition of beating Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, the team needs more money. “True. It’s something we need to work on,” he told Globo in Montreal. “It’s […]
Red Bull nearing Honda engine decision
Jun.9 (GMM) Red Bull is finally reaching decision time when it comes to the question of its engine supplier for 2019. Amid an impatient Renault and a hopeful Honda, Red Bull Racing will finally make its decision ahead of the forthcoming Austrian grand prix. “The decision making phase has reached a critical point,” confirmed team […]
Renault’s Bell welcomes move to 18-inch wheels
Jun.9 (GMM) Top F1 engineer Bob Bell has welcomed news of the likely switch from 13 to 18 inch wheels for 2021. In fact, the change to modern-looking wheels could arrive a year earlier in 2020. “I think it would be a good step,” said Renault technical director Bob Bell. “It gives the cars are […]
Candidates line up to replace Hartley
Jun.8 (GMM) The candidates may be piling up, but Brendon Hartley is for now sidestepping rumours he is set to be replaced at Toro Rosso. In recent days, McLaren junior Lando Norris was linked with the Red Bull-owned team, as New Zealander Hartley struggles. But another candidate could be Daniil Kvyat, who after his departure […]
Renault brings ‘Halo mirrors’ to Canada
Jun.8 (GMM) Renault is aiming to take a big step forward in Canada — including a new-spec engine, car upgrades, and Ferrari-like Halo-mounted mirrors. Some are calling it a ‘B’ car, as the French outfit looks to cement its place as ‘best of the rest’ ahead of McLaren and Force India. The most noticeable change […]
Alonso not sure about next racing step
Jun.8 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he is not finished with formula one — even though he admits he is not sure what will happen next. Next weekend, the Spaniard will race at Le Mans, amid rumours he will then switch full-time to Indycar for 2019. And he is constantly hinting that he is getting bored […]
Engine situation could cost Mercedes – Hamilton
Jun.8 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton sounded disappointed when journalists asked him in Montreal about Mercedes’ engine situation. Despite scheduling an upgrade for Montreal, the German marque has delayed it for a fortnight for quality reasons. “The guys worked hard and gave everything, but in the end we had to take a sensible decision,” world champion Lewis […]
Ricciardo to escape Montreal penalty
Jun.8 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo looks set to escape a penalty ahead of the Canadian grand prix. Despite winning in Monaco, the Australian nursed a malfunctioning MGU-K unit to the chequered flag. Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko initially said the unit would not have to be replaced, but Adrian Newey disagreed, arguing the damage had been […]
Verstappen to ‘regroup’ amid 2018 crisis
Jun.7 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he will try to “regroup” after a difficult start to the 2018 season. Many experts and pundits think the young Dutchman’s career is in crisis, following an error-strewn first half of the year. “The question for him is how he will handle this negative phase and how fast can he […]
Mercedes delays Canada-spec engine
Jun.7 (GMM) Mercedes has delayed the planned introduction of a new engine specification for Canada. Toto Wolff announced days ago that “all the Mercedes powered cars” in the field will use the new engine in Montreal. But now, it emerges that Mercedes has in fact delayed the planned introduction by one race. “We wanted to […]
McLaren ‘not surprised’ by Norris rumours
Jun.7 (GMM) McLaren says it is “not surprised” amid reports Red Bull made a move to sign its junior driver Lando Norris. With Brendon Hartley’s seat at Toro Rosso in doubt, widespread media reports say Red Bull made a move to snap up 18-year-old Briton Norris, the Formula 2 championship leader. According to the reports, […]
Latifi targets F1 race seat for 2019
Jun.6 (GMM) Nicholas Latifi says he is targeting a formula one seat for 2019. The 22-year-old Canadian is currently Force India’s reserve driver, and he will be in action on Friday morning this weekend in Montreal. “It will obviously be very special for me,” he told Le Journal de Montreal. Latifi switched from a similar […]
Williams hints Stroll will stay in 2019
Jun.6 (GMM) Even amid the team’s disastrous 2018 season, Williams is happy with Lance Stroll. That is the claim of Claire Williams, the deputy boss of the once-great British team that is now dead last in the world championship. Canadian Stroll has arrived home to Montreal warning his fans he cannot deliver a good result. […]