Feb.27 (GMM) Nico Rosberg insists he still is not interested in returning to formula one as a driver or team boss. The 2016 world champion quit suddenly after beating Lewis Hamilton to the title, and is now a part-time paddock pundit and investor in the ‘E mobility’ industry. So when asked if he is interested […]
Both Haas drivers now have same manager
Feb.27 (GMM) Both Haas drivers now have the same manager. Denmark’s BT newspaper reports that Kevin Magnussen has signed up with Martin Reiss, who the publication calls ‘one of the most respected deal-makers in formula one’. Magnussen had recently been without a manager. “My role with Kevin is to help him with contracts – commercial […]
Boullier not ruling out F1 team return
Feb.27 (GMM) Eric Boullier is not ruling out a return to the F1 paddock. The Frenchman, ousted by McLaren mid last year, has at least now returned to formula one with an advisory role at the French grand prix at Paul Ricard. “My role is to maintain contact with all the players — teams, drivers, […]
Red Bull-Honda can fight for wins – Vandoorne
Feb.27 (GMM) Fernando Alonso was not the only former McLaren driver in the Barcelona paddock on Tuesday. Also there was Stoffel Vandoorne, the ousted Belgian driver who has switched to Formula E. But the 26-year-old is also now working as a F1 simulator driver with Mercedes. “It’s not the best fun, but it’s very important […]
Renault targets ‘lucky’ podium in 2019
Feb.27 (GMM) Renault thinks it has reduced the gap to the top three teams over the winter. Nick Chester, the French works team’s technical boss, told Spanish reporters in Barcelona that he is “satisfied” with the 2019 car. Renault finished fourth overall last year, and now with Daniel Ricciardo in the car is targeting getting […]
Alfa Romeo admits Schumacher could test
Feb.27 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur has admitted that Mick Schumacher could test the 2019 Alfa Romeo in April. Earlier, we reported rumours that the former Sauber team could run Michael Schumacher’s 19-year-old son in the post-Bahrain GP young drivers’ test. “There is a shortlist and Mick is part of the shortlist because he is one of […]
Alonso brought helmet to Barcelona – report
Feb.27 (GMM) Fernando Alonso spent Tuesday at the Circuit de Catalunya. The arrival of the former F1 driver at the final winter test followed speculation he might even drive the 2019 McLaren. He was wearing McLaren team gear, and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Alonso even has his helmet in his luggage. Alonso was […]
‘Every aero surface’ changed on 2019 Mercedes
Feb.27 (GMM) Mercedes had heads turning in Barcelona as the final days of winter testing before the 2019 season began. The reigning champions, reportedly outpaced so far by Ferrari and Red Bull-Honda, emerged on track with a major aerodynamic upgrade for its new car. Sources said the team has been working on the changes – […]
No B-team alliance leaves Mercedes ‘alone’ – Marko
Feb.26 (GMM) Mercedes has been left “alone” without a key team alliance in formula one. That is the view of Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko. He points out that Ferrari has allied closely with Sauber-Alfa Romeo, while Red Bull is now collaborating more strongly than ever with Toro Rosso. “Ferrari is the bar at […]
Bottas expects ‘equal’ treatment early in 2019
Feb.26 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he is sure Mercedes will allow him to take on Lewis Hamilton in 2019. Ferrari has opened its account for this year by saying that Sebastian Vettel has “priority” over new teammate Charles Leclerc. A newly-bearded Bottas, on the other hand, has come out in 2019 declaring that he is […]
Norris preparing hard for F1 debut
Feb.26 (GMM) Lando Norris says he is hard at work preparing for his F1 debut. The 19-year-old Formula 2 runner-up is making his debut for McLaren this year, as the once-great F1 team rebuilds after an uncompetitive last few years. Norris told the Dutch publication Formule 1 that the workload as he prepares to debut […]
Leclerc wants first win ‘soon’
Feb.26 (GMM) Charles Leclerc is showing no sign of being willing to fall in line as Sebastian Vettel’s ‘number 2’. It is believed Vettel and now departed team boss Maurizio Arrivabene fell out last year after the German surmised that he was not getting enough support. The new boss at Ferrari is Mattia Binotto, and […]
Schumacher set to test Alfa Romeo in April
Feb.26 (GMM) Mick Schumacher looks set to test a 2019 formula one car as early as April. Sky Italia reports that the 19-year-old son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, who was recently signed by Ferrari’s development academy, could test an Alfa Romeo. Thanks to the close alliance between the former Sauber team and Ferrari, Schumacher […]
Sainz plays down ‘very small’ garage fire
Feb.26 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says a garage fire was a minor blip in an otherwise positive start to McLaren’s 2019 season. During a filming day on Friday, a few team mechanics had to be treated for burns. “It was very small,” driver Sainz told Movistar. “There were little burns on the arms of some mechanics […]
Russell defends Williams after test delay
Feb.26 (GMM) George Russell has defended Williams after the struggling British team’s high profile 2019 car delay. Already dead last in 2018, Williams missed the first two days of testing in Barcelona and Robert Kubica said at the end of the test that he learned “nothing”. But Russell, the baby-faced Formula 2 champion, defended his […]
Ricciardo hopeful passing will be easier
Feb.26 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo is hopeful overtaking will indeed be easier in 2019. The front wings in particular have been changed for this year to allow chasing cars to have a better chance of following and passing his rival. But the early reports based on simulation data and the opening Barcelona test last week indicated […]
Alfa Romeo surprised to have aced front wing design
Feb.26 (GMM) The team formerly known as Sauber says it is surprised to be apparently leading the pack when it comes to front wing design in 2019. The aerodynamic rules have changed for this year to aid overtaking, and it is Alfa Romeo with the innovative design that big teams like Mercedes and Red Bull […]
Hamilton has no interest in ‘triple crown’
Feb.25 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he has no interest in following Fernando Alonso’s lead by targeting the so-called ‘triple crown’. Now retired from F1, Alonso has already added Le Mans to his tally and is now targeting victory at the Indy 500. If he wins, he will become only the second driver after Graham Hill […]
Lauda’s doctor rules out Melbourne flight
Feb.25 (GMM) Niki Lauda’s doctor has confirmed reports that the F1 legend will not be in Australia next month. Lauda, who has just turned 70, has had a long recovery from lung transplant surgery last year. “Niki is doing well at the moment,” Lauda’s younger brother Florian Lauda told ORF television. “Now he has to […]
Female driver to race in Formula 2
Feb.25 (GMM) Tatiana Calderon has moved another step closer to F1. Last year, Sauber’s female test driver drove the Swiss team’s car for a ‘filming’ run after the Mexican grand prix. Now, she has been signed up by the well-known Arden team in Formula 2 for 2019. “It’s a new challenge in my career and […]