Feb.21 (GMM) A contrite Claire Williams has faced the F1 media in Barcelona, admitting Williams’ absence from the opening two days amid fierce speculation was “embarrassing”. But the once-great British team’s deputy boss would not comment on precisely what the problem was back at the Grove factory. “It wasn’t just one thing,” she told Finland’s […]
No date set for Lauda’s F1 return – son
Feb.21 (GMM) Niki Lauda will return to F1 when he is ready. That is the news from the F1 legend’s son Mathias. Earlier, Lauda – who turns 70 on Friday – targeted his return to the paddock from a lung transplant for the Barcelona tests. But he is not yet strong enough even to travel […]
Mercedes must replace Bottas with Ocon – Surer
Feb.21 (GMM) A former F1 driver thinks 2019 will certainly be Valtteri Bottas’ last season at Mercedes. Bottas is under intense pressure this year, as he is out of contract at the end of 2019. When asked if Esteban Ocon – who is in Barcelona observing the tests as Mercedes’ new reserve – will replace […]
Merc could quit F1 over ‘no deal’ Brexit – Richards
Feb.21 (GMM) ‘Brexit’ could cause Mercedes to quit formula one. That is the alarming claim of David Richards, a former F1 team boss who is now chairman of Motorsport UK. Speaking to Press Association Sport, he was referring to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s warning this week that a ‘no deal’ Brexit could spell havoc for […]
Pressure on Leclerc ‘unfair’ – Hamilton
Feb.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says the pressure being put on Charles Leclerc is “unfair”. Many are predicting that, after Sebastian Vettel’s difficult 2018 season, youngster Leclerc can challenge him in his first season with Ferrari. The speculation even prompted Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto to come out and say Vettel will still get “priority” in 2019. […]
Sponsor comments about Red Bull ‘alright’ – Steiner
Feb.21 (GMM) Gunther Steiner says he is not alarmed by the statements being made by Haas’ controversial new title sponsor. Eyebrows were already being raised about the legitimacy of Rich Energy, an energy drink run by a long-bearded Briton called William Storey. On Twitter, Rich Energy said after the opening day of running in Barcelona: […]
Hamilton questions 2019 rule changes
Feb.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he doubts the new front wings for 2019 will improve the racing. The reigning world champion was asked about the aerodynamic rules tweaks that are designed to make it easier for cars to follow each other. “For me it’s the same,” said the Mercedes driver. “In terms of feeling, hardly […]
Giovinazzi to learn from ‘teacher’ Raikkonen
Feb.21 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi says he wants to learn from his experienced teammate in 2019. The Italian, with only two grands prix under his belt, is making his full F1 debut this year for Alfa Romeo. “With Kimi next door, for me he can be a teacher and I have a lot to learn,” said […]
Perez hopes for Mexico GP rescue
Feb.21 (GMM) Sergio Perez says he hopes Mexico can save its grand prix. Although the Mexico City race is highly popular, mayor Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that governing funding will stop after the event this October. “By 2020, the federal government no longer has the resource because it is allocating most of the fund to […]
Red Bull ‘ahead of Mercedes’ – Marko
Feb.21 (GMM) Red Bull appears ready to challenge for the world championship. After the opening three days of 2019 testing, the provisional pecking order is Ferrari in the lead, half a second ahead of Mercedes. But between those two teams, it appears, is Red Bull-Honda. Getting a lot of the credit for that is the […]
Wolff admits Ferrari ‘half a second ahead’
Feb.21 (GMM) Toto Wolff has confirmed reports that Ferrari appears to be leading the entire 2019 field by half a second. “I agree with Franz (Tost),” said the Mercedes boss. “Realistically, it looks like Ferrari is half a second ahead.” Not only that, the perception in the paddock is that not only Ferrari is ahead […]
Hamilton put on 5kg since 2018
Feb.21 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he has put on 5 kilograms because the weight rules have been changed for 2019. A regular on magazine covers, the five time world champion has admitted he has enjoyed the relaxation of the rules. It’s the same story with many other drivers, who have put on between 1 and […]
Seat problem sidelined Magnussen at test
Feb.20 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen had to stop driving Haas’ F1 car on Tuesday. Ekstra Bladet newspaper reports that the Dane’s head was pointing too far forwards, due to a problem with the headrest. “I’ve been sitting really badly in the car,” Magnussen confirmed. “I had trouble seeing and when I braked, it wasn’t easy to […]
2019 McLaren ‘not perfect’ – Norris
Feb.20 (GMM) McLaren has had a positive start to its 2019 campaign. While Ferrari impressed with its early test form in Barcelona, it was McLaren’s new blue and orange 2019 car in second on the timesheets on both Monday and Tuesday. “It is an improvement from last year,” rookie driver Lando Norris confirmed. “I wasn’t […]
F1 opens tender for 2021 standard gearbox
Feb.20 (GMM) F1 has taken a step towards mandating standard gearboxes from 2021. Planned to be part of Liberty Media’s vision for the sport beyond the current Concorde Agreement, the standard gearbox idea has been put to tender by the governing FIA. The FIA invited interested gearbox manufacturers to submit their proposals before March 15. […]
Indycar to use Halo alternative in 2019
Feb.20 (GMM) Indycar has opted against using one of the cockpit-protection layouts developed in formula one. Instead, the series has announced the introduction of what it calls Advanced Frontal Protection. AFP will be mandatory from the Indy 500 in May and beyond. It is a titanium device made by Dallara which simply stands 3 inches […]
Renault ‘good option’ for reserve role – Sirotkin
Feb.20 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin has admitted Renault would be a “good option” for a F1 reserve role in 2019. The Russian driver lost his seat at Williams at the end of last year, but while racing in Le Mans sports cars in 2019 he hopes to also keep a toe in the F1 water. “I […]
UK factory closure won’t affect Honda F1
Feb.20 (GMM) Honda says its F1 operations will be unaffected by a major factory closure in the UK. The engines used by Red Bull and Toro Rosso are developed at Sakura (Japan), but Honda has a UK headquarters for its F1 operation in Milton Keynes. The Japanese manufacturer announced this week that it is closing […]
Pirelli looking for 2021 F1 test car
Feb.20 (GMM) Pirelli is on the lookout for a F1 test car. The Italian company has secured the contract to remain in F1 beyond 2021, when the rim profile will go from 13 to 18 inches. “One of the biggest problems at the moment is to find a suitable test car,” Pirelli’s Mario Isola admitted […]
Grosjean hits out at new tyre blanket rule
Feb.20 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has criticised a change to the tyre rules for 2019. Pirelli says teams may no longer run temperatures of more than 80 degrees in the heating blankets for the rear tyres. It is believed the change caused drivers to have grip problems when they exited the pits in Barcelona. “I’m going […]