Dec.7 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin should not be too disappointed that his F1 career is over. That is the view of Mika Salo, a former F1 driver who has worked closely with the Russian this year as part of sponsor SMP Bank’s programme. Sirotkin has been replaced by Robert Kubica, who arrives with the sponsorship of […]
Hartley thought he had ‘long term contract’
Dec.7 (GMM) His F1 adventure may be over for now, but Brendon Hartley says his motor racing career is still very much alive. Having been given a second chance by Red Bull and Toro Rosso, the 29-year-old New Zealander has lost his seat after just a single full season. “I’ve definitely been better,” Hartley told […]
No ‘off season’ for axed F1 driver Vandoorne
Dec.6 (GMM) There will be no winter ‘off season’ for one 2018 F1 driver. Dropped by McLaren, Stoffel Vandoorne has been snapped up by Mercedes for its new works Formula E effort. That season kicks off next weekend in Saudi Arabia. “It was a short winter break for me,” the Belgian driver laughed to Sporza. […]
Super Formula ‘good training ground for F1’ – Marko
Dec.6 (GMM) Japan’s Super Formula is now a “good training ground” for Red Bull’s future F1 drivers. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, who is getting behind the top Japanese open wheeler category like never before. “We were very impressed last year with the performance and development of Pierre Gasly, so we are […]
Departing Ericsson says F1 ‘artificial’
Dec.6 (GMM) Marcus Ericsson has departed F1 by saying the category is “a bit artificial”. The Swede drove in F1 for Caterham and Sauber, but he has lost his race seat for 2019 and is switching to Indycar. Ericsson, 28, got his first taste of Indycar with a test in America this week. He is […]
Todt proud to ‘fight’ for Halo
Dec.6 (GMM) Jean Todt says he is proud he continued to “fight” for Halo. The cockpit protection innovation was highly controversial from its inception, but in 2018 it arguably protected Charles Leclerc and F2 driver Tadasuke Makino in scary incidents. But in Abu Dhabi, Halo also arguably stopped Nico Hulkenberg from quickly escaping after a […]
Horner sad to farewell Ricciardo
Dec.6 (GMM) Christian Horner admits he is sad that Daniel Ricciardo has left Red Bull. The team boss said Australian Ricciardo alongside Max Verstappen was “the best duo in the history” of the energy drink owned outfit. Ricciardo shocked both Red Bull and the rest of the F1 world by announcing his move for 2019 […]
Bad season not all Bottas’ fault – Salo
Dec.6 (GMM) Former F1 driver Mika Salo has defended Valtteri Bottas at the end of a bad season for his fellow Finn. Many are questioning Bottas’ psychological state, after a disappointing season for the Mercedes driver and the looming threat tis race seat posed for 2020 by Esteban Ocon. Some believe Bottas is being too […]
Ecclestone doubts F1 will race in Miami, London
Dec.6 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone doubts Liberty Media’s ability to deliver a second US grand prix on the streets of Miami. Plans for the Miami race have fallen through for now, but F1 owner Liberty insists it has not given up. “It will never happen,” former F1 supremo Ecclestone told Speed Week. The 88-year-old said street […]
Not only tyres to blame for F1 problems – Isola
Dec.5 (GMM) Mario Isola has defended Pirelli amid suggestions it is the tyres that are making formula one races boring. Recently, the F1 drivers met with the Pirelli F1 chief to argue that they need more robust tyres that they can “push” with rather than so often nurse to the pitstops. The Italian company has […]
No British GP ‘at any price’ – Silverstone
Dec.5 (GMM) A cloud still hangs over the future of the British grand prix at Silverstone. Last year, the circuit triggered a break clause in its contract with Liberty Media for financial reasons. “We got ourselves into a pickle because we had a business that was solely financed by the grand prix,” Silverstone managing director […]
McLaren ‘on road to recovery’ now – Brown
Dec.5 (GMM) Zak Brown insists he is not responsible for McLaren’s decline. Formerly an F1 marketing specialist, the American joined McLaren for 2017 following the ousting of Ron Dennis and amid the Honda-powered debacle. But Brown is quoted by El Mundo Deportivo as surmising that McLaren’s current predicament can be traced back “years”. “My summary […]
Renault can close engine gap for 2019 – Abiteboul
Dec.5 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul says he is not sure that Renault is ready to take on Red Bull in 2019. The French works team was fourth overall in 2018, but a long way behind the top three teams in terms of pace and points. Part of the reason for that is Renault’s budget, which boss […]
Top two teams could tempt Alonso – Briatore
Dec.4 (GMM) Fernando Alonso will return to formula one “if Mercedes or Ferrari” come knocking. That is the view of Flavio Briatore, the former F1 personality who is still involved with the retiring Alonso’s management. Spanish sports newspapers quote the Italian as saying: “If there is an offer from Mercedes or Ferrari, would he come […]
Ferrari would have won with Hamilton – Montezemolo
Dec.4 (GMM) With Lewis Hamilton at the wheel, Ferrari would have won the 2018 world championship. That is the view of Luca di Montezemolo, the former Ferrari president. He told Rai radio that Hamilton fully deserved his fifth drivers’ title this year, secured at the wheel of his Mercedes. “This year Hamilton made the difference […]
‘Racing Point’ to change name again for 2019
Dec.4 (GMM) Force India’s new name for 2019 is not yet set in stone. On the official 2019 entry list, the FIA revealed that following the buyout by Lawrence Stroll, the Silverstone based team is now known only as ‘Racing Point’. But the name will change again prior to the start of the new season, […]
Ecclestone wants better race seat for Kubica
Dec.4 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone would have secured a better cockpit for Robert Kubica. That is the claim of Marcin Czachorski, a former official spokesman for the Polish driver. Kubica, 33, is returning to the grid in 2019 after an eight year absence due to serious injuries sustained in a rally crash, including a nearly-severed hand. […]
Verstappen admits post-2020 ‘plan B’
Dec.4 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he has a ‘plan B’ for the future. Openly frustrated with Renault power in the past seasons, the Dutchman is now looking ahead to Red Bull’s new works collaboration with Honda. “I really like this team, and I’m sure that we can make the fastest car,” he told La Gazzetta […]
Ricciardo denies wanting ‘too much money’ from Ferrari
Dec.3 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has played down claims he missed out on a Ferrari seat for 2019 because of money. The Australian is instead heading from Red Bull to Renault, with many believing Ricciardo felt the momentum of the energy drink-owned team had shifted to Max Verstappen. The Italian publication Automoto thinks Ricciardo fell out […]
Magnussen ‘established’ in F1 now – father
Dec.3 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen’s father says he is glad the Haas driver is now fully established in formula one. Magnussen, 26, has had a stop-start career to date, with less successful stints at McLaren and Renault before he made the move to Haas. But in 2018, he fared strongly against Romain Grosjean and will remain […]