Feb.25 (GMM) George Russell says he and teammate Robert Kubica need to work together rather than fight in the wake of Williams’ delayed start to winter testing. Problems with the design of parts meant that Williams, dead last in 2018, was more than two days late to get its new car up and running in […]
Renault sympathises after Williams delay
Feb.25 (GMM) Nick Chester, the technical boss at Renault, says he sympathises with Williams. Embarrassed team boss Claire Williams apologised to the team’s fans and drivers last week following a more than two day delay for its new 2019 car. But only a week earlier, boss Cyril Abiteboul had also warned that Renault also came […]
Ferrari gets ‘no points’ for strong winter – Horner
Feb.25 (GMM) It is too soon to say that Ferrari is the definite favourite in 2019. That is the view of Christian Horner, the Red Bull boss. He was responding to claims the early pecking order is Ferrari with a clear lead, ahead of Red Bull-Honda and Mercedes. “If there was a winter world championship, […]
Leclerc a ‘luxury problem’ for Ferrari – Wolff
Feb.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff thinks two strong drivers is a “luxury problem” for Mercedes’ key F1 rival Ferrari. Some believe Ferrari could struggle to manage its drivers now that Sebastian Vettel has young charger Charles Leclerc as his teammate. But Mercedes boss Wolff, who previously managed the difficult rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, […]
Boullier to help run French GP
Feb.25 (GMM) Eric Boullier is back in formula one. The Frenchman was ousted as McLaren team boss in July of last year. But France’s L’Equipe reports that he is now returning with a role at the French grand prix. While McLaren boss, Boullier already worked to help Paul Ricard return to the calendar. The publication […]
Owner Stroll expects Racing Point to improve
Feb.25 (GMM) The team formerly known as Force India is confident it will improve in 2019. After the first Barcelona test, it was clear that the team – now called Racing Point – is struggling for pace. “The chassis is basically the same as last year’s,” explains technical boss Andy Green. “The gearbox is from […]
Netflix series producer slams Mercedes and Ferrari
Feb.25 (GMM) The producers of a new Netflix documentary series about F1 have hit out at top teams Mercedes and Ferrari. The ten part series called Drive to Survive, set to be released on March 8, features behind-the-scenes access to every team except last year’s title protagonists. “Mercedes and Ferrari wanted to operate under different […]
Montezemolo dislikes new Ferrari colour
Feb.25 (GMM) Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says he does not like the new colour of the Maranello team’s 2019 car. Ferrari has switched to a lightweight matte finish for its 2019 livery, while some have observed that the colour itself appears more orange than in 2018. “In my opinion, the Ferrari red is […]
Overtaking not easier in 2019 – Newey
Feb.25 (GMM) The F1 paddock is sceptical that overtaking will become easier in 2019. The main tweak to the rules for this year – the wider front wings – is designed to make it easier for a following car to chase and pass his rival. Ferrari has the fastest new car so far, but Sebastian […]
Standard gearbox not decided yet – Steiner
Feb.25 (GMM) A final decision about gearboxes for 2021 has not been made. That is the claim of Haas team boss Gunther Steiner, responding to the news that a tender has been put out by the FIA regarding a standard gearbox design for 2021. “There is this proposal, but nothing has been decided about the […]
Brexit could give Haas advantage – Steiner
Feb.25 (GMM) Gunther Steiner thinks ‘Brexit’ could actually be an advantage for the Haas team. Last week, Mercedes’ Toto Wolff said Britain’s exit from the European Union could favour Ferrari and Alfa Romeo, who are based outside the UK. But Steiner thinks Brexit would also leave Haas in a good place. “We are keeping our […]
‘Nothing fundamentally wrong’ with car – Bottas
Feb.25 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas insists there is nothing “fundamentally wrong” with Mercedes’ 2019 car. The Finn was asked about the apparent half a second gap that separates the reigning champions from Ferrari after the first winter test. “Ferrari seems to be ahead of us at the moment,” Bottas admitted. “That’s a fact.” He cautioned that […]
Renault fast but ‘Red Bull faster’ – Hulkenberg
Feb.22 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says Renault has a fight on its hands to stay fourth in 2019. The German actually ended the Barcelona test with the fastest time overall, but he admits that doesn’t mean Renault is about to leapfrog the top three teams. Hulkenberg’s new teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, has switched over the winter from […]
Kubica ‘not worried’ amid Williams crisis
Feb.22 (GMM) Robert Kubica insists he is “not worried” despite Williams’ catastrophic start to its 2019 campaign. Rumours have been flying about in the Barcelona paddock, after the once-great British team’s 2019 car was two days late and then woefully off the pace. Former Williams driver Sergey Sirotkin told Russia’s Championat: “When I was in […]
Ferrari rivals ‘bluffing’ – Leclerc
Feb.22 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has played down Ferrari’s new status as the 2019 favourite by saying teams ‘bluff’ in winter testing. After the first test in Barcelona, both Mercedes and Red Bull are saying the Maranello team has a clear advantage with its new car. What Leclerc will admit to is how easily he has […]
Red Bull denies Honda engine vibration rumours
Feb.22 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has added his denial to speculation Red Bull is struggling with excessive vibration from the 2019 Honda power unit. Actually, team official Marko insists the Japanese manufacturer has done a “great job” over the winter, and claims Red Bull is behind Ferrari but ahead of Mercedes. “Everything they (Honda) told […]
Verstappen had ‘good time’ in community service
Feb.22 (GMM) Max Verstappen smiled as he said he had a “good time” serving his so-called FIA community service over the winter break. The audacious Red Bull driver received the penalty for violently confronting Esteban Ocon after the Brazilian grand prix. His first day of punishment occurred at the Formula E race in Morocco, where […]
Ramirez hopes McLaren has ‘patience’ to rebuild
Feb.22 (GMM) Jo Ramirez says he hopes McLaren has learned to be ‘patient’ as it aims for better results in 2019 and beyond. The famous British team has struggled ever since the beginning of the Honda era, including the switch to customer Renault power last year. McLaren has had a more positive start to the […]
Bottas prepared to be the ‘villain’ in 2019
Feb.22 (GMM) A bullish Valtteri Bottas says he is determined to beat Lewis Hamilton in 2019. The Finn was disappointed with his performance last year, and could lose his place at Mercedes for 2020 to new team reserve Esteban Ocon. Bottas admits that his new look is a signal of his intention to turn things […]
US GP loses $20m in government backing
Feb.21 (GMM) A dark cloud has moved over the financial health of the US grand prix in Austin. The Associated Press reports that race organisers have missed a paperwork deadline and as a result will lose $20 million of government backing. The missing paperwork is reportedly a mandatory anti human trafficking plan. A spokesman for […]