Feb.8 (GMM) Sergio Perez is keen to make some noise with his performances in 2019. Now 29, the Mexican is a F1 veteran, with over 150 grands prix to his name. And yet, 2018 was a very low profile year for Perez, even though he finished the world championship eighth overall. “It’s as if people […]
Red Bull denies deliberate Mercedes launch clash
Feb.8 (GMM) Red Bull has denied it timed its car launch to deliberately clash with reigning world champions Mercedes. There is no love lost between the top teams, with Dr Helmut Marko last year describing fellow Austrian Toto Wolff as “persona non grata”. Mercedes had already scheduled a ‘rollout’ test for its 2019 car for […]
Liberty will struggle to sell F1 – Yermilin
Feb.8 (GMM) Liberty Media will struggle to sell F1 for a profit. That is the view of Igor Yermilin, president of Russia’s motor racing federation. He was asked by Russia’s Sportbox publication about rumours that, beset with growing problems and unrest, the American company might be looking to sell. “The situation is completely expected,” Yermilin […]
Zandvoort says Assen not Dutch GP alternative
Feb.8 (GMM) There will be a Dutch GP in “Zandvoort, or not at all”. That is the claim of Jan Lammers, a former F1 driver who is now the spokesperson for a potential 2020 return to the calendar for the Dutch track. Earlier, a letter emerged that indicated a deal in principle is in place […]
Haas defends sponsor after Red Bull claim
Feb.8 (GMM) Haas’ team boss and driver have defended their new backer, after Rich Energy boss William Storey said the American team can beat Red Bull in 2019. On the Rich Energy website, the British energy drink company clearly takes aim at Red Bull, declaring: “Forget the wings, Rich Energy gives you horns.” As for […]
Haas sponsor slams F1 conspiracy theorists
Feb.8 (GMM) Haas’ new title sponsor has dismissed as conspiracy theorists those who wonder about the credibility of the Rich Energy brand. The American team’s new black and gold car is sponsored by William Storey, boss of an elusive British energy drink. “A rare sighting,” said Reuters journalist Alan Baldwin on Twitter, after tracking down […]
Leclerc must not be impatient – Todt
Feb.7 (GMM) Charles Leclerc’s manager says the new Ferrari driver must not be “impatient” in 2019. Replacing Kimi Raikkonen for the new season, many are tipping 21-year-old Frenchman Leclerc to give nominal ‘number 1’ driver Sebastian Vettel a run for his money this year. But Nicolas Todt, the son of FIA president Jean Todt and […]
Gasly in ‘best situation’ next to Verstappen
Feb.7 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says he is in the “best situation” to have Max Verstappen as his 2019 teammate. This week, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner declared that Verstappen is the driver that five time world champion Lewis Hamilton now “fears” the most. Gasly is Verstappen’s actual teammate. Although older than the Dutchman, 23-year-old […]
Jan Lammers to be Dutch GP boss
Feb.7 (GMM) Hopes for a Dutch grand prix at Zandvoort in 2020 are rising by the day. Although Assen insists it remains in the running, and despite the lack of government funding, an agreement in principle is reportedly in place between Liberty Media and the former F1 venue Zandvoort. Media reports say that a contract […]
Aero changes will not help overtaking – Horner
Feb.7 (GMM) “All the teams would agree” that Liberty Media and the FIA made a mistake by changing the aerodynamic regulations for 2019. That is the view of Red Bull’s Christian Horner, who calls the changes to the front wings to facilitate overtaking futile and estimates the cost at EUR 15m per team. “Mercedes and […]
Honda ‘having a strong winter’ – Horner
Feb.7 (GMM) Red Bull is continuing to sound bullish ahead of the 2019 season, with boss Christian Horner declaring that new works engine partner Honda has had a “strong winter”. Despite the failed McLaren-Honda pairing of 2015-2017, the Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso hailed the Japanese carmaker after working with Honda in 2018. Now, […]
Canada GP promoter says ‘no animosity’ with Liberty
Feb.7 (GMM) Canada GP promoter Francois Dumontier insists there is “no animosity” between the Montreal race and F1 owner Liberty Media. That is despite the fact that the majority of the promoters like Dumontier recently signed a letter condemning Liberty’s current management of the sport. Not just that, F1 business journalist Christian Sylt has revealed […]
Liberty ‘underestimated’ F1 takeover – Horner
Feb.7 (GMM) Liberty Media “underestimated” the task of running F1. That is the view of Red Bull’s Christian Horner, who was asked about the latest issues surrounding the current F1 owner in the post-Bernie Ecclestone era. For instance, negotiations over a new Concorde Agreement have stalled, attempts to get a Miami GP failed, and some […]
Hamilton can afford to take skydiving risks – Verstappen
Feb.6 (GMM) Max Verstappen insists he will not be following five time world champion Lewis Hamilton out of the back of a plane any time soon. Earlier, it emerged that reigning champion Hamilton had obtained his solo skydiving license as he enjoys the pre-season period before testing. Asked if he too will be jumping out […]
Dutch circuits ‘still in race’ for 2020 GP
Feb.6 (GMM) Two Dutch circuits are reportedly “still in the race” to secure a place on the 2020 grid. RTL Nieuws, a Dutch broadcaster, has leaked a letter from F1 chief executive Chase Carey to officials at the Zandvoort circuit. The letter said that if Liberty Media and Zandvoort do not conclude a 2020 race […]
Force India now ‘Racing Point’ for 2019
Feb.6 (GMM) The Force India name is now officially gone from F1. The name began to fade over the past few years, amid Vijay Mallya and Subrata Roy’s legal troubles and the team’s belief that it must internationalise its branding. With the acquisition by billionaire Lawrence Stroll, Force India introduced the ‘Racing Point’ name in […]
Sirotkin hopes Williams improves in 2019
Feb.6 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin says he hopes Williams improves in 2019. The Russian admits he was devastated to learn that he would be left out of this year’s driver lineup. Williams is instead lining up with Robert Kubica and F2 champion George Russell. “It is a rather strange sensation,” Sirotkin, who is still with the […]
Ferrari parent could now buy Sauber
Feb.6 (GMM) Fiat Chrysler could buy the team formerly known as Sauber. Earlier, it was announced that after more than a quarter of a century on the grid, the Sauber name will be replaced completely by Alfa Romeo from 2019. The deal has been criticised. “Sauber is now under the Alfa Romeo flag,” said respected […]
Disgruntled promoters making ‘noise’ – Carey
Feb.6 (GMM) Chase Carey, F1’s chief executive, says the major group of disgruntled race promoters is making “noise”. Earlier, 16 of the sport’s 21 race organisers hit out at Liberty Media’s management, particularly the large annual fees paid to the F1 owner. “It’s part of life,” American Carey, who took over from long-time F1 supremo […]
F1 tracks to ‘pool’ insurance to cut costs
Feb.5 (GMM) Disgruntled F1 race promoters are making their own joint efforts to cut costs. Recently, 16 of the sport’s 21 grand prix hosts banded together to form the Formula One Promoters’ Association, and threatened to quit F1 over Liberty Media’s management. Their big gripe is the race fees charged by Liberty. Now, F1 business […]