May 24 (GMM) Williams is hoping to make a mid-season recovery, according to team driver Lance Stroll. The British team’s deputy Claire Williams has refuted rumours that the performance problems are so dire that Williams will fail to put together a full budget for 2019. Canadian Stroll says plans are in the works for a […]
Hartley ‘surprised’ by Toro Rosso axe rumours
May 24 (GMM) Brendon Hartley says rumours of his impending F1 demise “surprised” him. After Barcelona, rumours started doing the rounds that Toro Rosso owner Red Bull was considering ousting the New Zealander and replacing him with Pascal Wehrlein or Antonio Giovinazzi. “I was surprised when I heard that,” Hartley said in Monaco. “I have […]
De Ferran becomes McLaren consultant
May 24 (GMM) Gil de Ferran has returned to formula one. Over a decade ago, the two-time Indycar champion and former Indy 500 winner was the sporting boss at BAR-Honda, but the role was short-lived. Now, he has been signed up by McLaren as an informal consultant. “Gil has so much experience in both Indycar […]
Hypersoft to make Monaco ‘spectacular’ – Ocon
May 24 (GMM) F1 drivers are looking forward to a fun weekend on the streets of Monaco. The Principality is always a challenge, but this year Pirelli has brought its new ‘hypersoft’ tyre, which is tipped to help the drivers smash circuit records. “The speeds will be spectacular,” Force India’s Esteban Ocon predicted. Asked if […]
Magnussen would accept top team move
May 24 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he will look around to see if a move to a top team might be on the cards. Although unpopular among many of his rivals, the Dane has impressed at Haas this year and is outperforming his more highly-paid teammate Romain Grosjean. “I’m happy to be here even if […]
FIA clears up Ferrari oil consumption rumour
May 24 (GMM) F1’s governing body has clarified how oil may be consumed by F1 cars. Earlier, Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda had said the FIA needed to urgently clarify “grey areas”, including a rumour Ferrari illegally consumes oil via the turbo. That had followed a formal letter to the FIA, in which Mercedes asked […]
Struggling Grosjean ‘happy to stay’ at Haas
May 23 (GMM) Romain Grosjean says he is “happy to stay” at Haas beyond the end of his contract this year. But negotiations may be looming at the worst possible time for the Frenchman, as he is in the midst of another career slump and being outshone by his lesser-paid teammate Kevin Magnussen. Grosjean just […]
McLaren denies link to Nicholas Latifi
May 23 (GMM) McLaren has denied any link between its new shareholder and the career of a young Formula 2 driver. Michael Latifi, the father of Force India reserve Nicholas Latifi, has bought 10 per cent of the McLaren Group for almost $270 million. But a team spokesman says the deal is entirely separate to […]
FIA must clarify Ferrari car legality – Lauda
May 23 (GMM) Niki Lauda says the FIA must clear up the uncertainty about Ferrari’s 2018 car. Ferrari, Mercedes’ key championship rival, heads into Monaco amid suggestions it is using more power than is allowed from its battery. And Mercedes is also pressing the FIA to clarify whether the way Ferrari uses its turbocharger complies […]
Red Bull heads to Monaco as favourite
May 23 (GMM) Red Bull has been left standing as the likely favourite heading into this weekend’s Monaco grand prix. Ferrari had the fastest overall package in the early part of the season, but then suddenly struggled on Pirelli’s new harder tyres in Barcelona. “I’ve said many times that this team is strong and has […]
Abiteboul ‘convinced’ Sainz will catch up
May 23 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul says he is happy with the progress at the Renault works team. “There are ups and downs, but in general for the moment we are in line with our plan,” the team boss told El Confidencial newspaper. “We know that sometimes we sound too conservative and corporate, but every professional […]
Red Bull ‘will never learn loyalty’ – Abiteboul
May 23 (GMM) Red Bull and Renault appear to be speeding towards divorce. Red Bull, a constant critic of the performance of its Renault engines, is currently weighing up a 2019 switch to Honda. Renault’s deadline for that decision is looming, and boss Cyril Abiteboul seems resigned to losing Red Bull. “Red Bull criticising its […]
Todt plays down complaints about 2019 rules
May 22 (GMM) Jean Todt has played down criticism of the incoming changes to the F1 regulations for 2019. A majority vote by the teams means that significant aerodynamic changes will be added to the rules next year, with a new front wing in particular designed by boost overtaking. But some voted against the move, […]
Leclerc plays down Senna, Schumacher comparisons
May 22 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has played down any comparisons being made between him and true F1 greats. The Monaco-born driver made his formula one debut this year with Sauber amid suggestions he is set to become a future Michael Schumacher or Ayrton Senna. “Of course it’s a great honour to be associated with those […]
F2 driver would refuse Toro Rosso call-up
May 22 (GMM) A Formula 2 driver has counted himself out of speculation about the second Toro Rosso seat. With Brendon Hartley struggling for pace in 2018, rumours suggest Red Bull could entice Pascal Wehrlein out of DTM to replace him at the junior team Toro Rosso. “That’s not the intention at the moment,” Red […]
‘Possible’ Mercedes will quit F1 – Lauda
May 21 (GMM) It is “possible” that Mercedes will quit formula one. That is the warning of F1 legend and team chairman Niki Lauda, as Mercedes now joins Ferrari in threatening to pull out after 2020. The top teams are at loggerheads with Liberty Media over the plans for 2021, featuring different engine rules and […]
Carey eyes Berlin to replace Hockenheim
May 21 (GMM) Chase Carey is eyeing the German capital as a potential replacement for Hockenheim. F1 will race at Hockenheim in July, but circuit boss Georg Seiler is yet to agree a 2019 deal with Liberty Media. “We want to keep traditional races on the calendar,” F1 chief executive Carey told Bild when asked […]
Drivers to be asked about Miami layout – Todt
May 21 (GMM) Drivers will be consulted about the layout of a second US grand prix in Miami. That is the claim of FIA president Jean Todt. Recently, Lewis Hamilton said he was excited about the prospect of a Miami street race next year until he saw the proposed layout. But Todt says that sort […]
Rumours swirl about Grosjean’s future
May 21 (GMM) A rumour is doing the rounds about Romain Grosjean’s future at Haas. The Frenchman has had a horror 2018 season so far, including his crash behind the safety car at Baku and a penalty for causing the Barcelona start pileup. Until now, Haas team boss Gunther Steiner has defended Grosjean. “I’m a […]
Baku wants to renegotiate F1 contract
May 21 (GMM) Baku promoter Arif Rahimov has admitted the race wants to renegotiate its contract with Liberty Media. In recent weeks, rumours have circulated that suggested the Azerbaijanis want to end the ten-year deal negotiated by Bernie Ecclestone. The deal actually includes a mid-point break clause, with the proviso that the promoters announce it […]