Nov.24 (GMM) Haas is merely seeking “equal treatment” in deciding to protest against the legality of Force India’s cars. That is the view of Haas boss Gunther Steiner, after the American team lodged a formal protest to the stewards in Abu Dhabi. Haas is claiming that, as a brand new entrant, ‘Racing Point Force India’ […]
Mercedes to finally use controversial wheels
Nov.24 (GMM) Mercedes looks set to use its controversial wheel rim design this weekend in Abu Dhabi. In the past few races, Ferrari has argued to the FIA that the holes in the rims contravened the rules about moveable aerodynamic parts. Mercedes, therefore, kept filling the holes with silicone. “We tested them on Friday and […]
Alonso ‘character’ caused F1 exit – Trulli
Nov.24 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is leaving F1 because of his “strong character”. That is the view of the Spaniard’s former Renault teammate, Jarno Trulli. Alonso, 37, is quitting F1 to race at the Indy 500, Le Mans and some other “iconic” races in 2019, but is not ruling out a return for 2020. “Alonso was […]
Alonso could test McLaren in 2019 – Brown
Nov.24 (GMM) Zak Brown says Fernando Alonso is free to drive McLaren’s 2019 car next year. As he races in F1 for the final time for now, Alonso’s car in Abu Dhabi features the words ‘Hasta Luego’, meaning something like ‘See you later’. That next appearance in F1 could be for a test, McLaren boss […]
Stroll-Force India announcement due in ‘hours’
Nov.24 (GMM) Lance Stroll’s switch from Williams to Force India will finally be announced in the coming hours. With Robert Kubica now completing Williams’ 2019 lineup, it remains an open secret that Stroll is moving to Force India which has been bought by his billionaire father. “You can count the hours to find out,” Lance […]
Kubica could attract top team attention – Wolff
Nov.24 (GMM) Robert Kubica could return to the front of the grid in formula one. That is the view of Toto Wolff, after the Williams team announced that the Pole will make his F1 racing return with the struggling British team in 2019. Kubica, now 33, has a permanent arm injury, but Mercedes team boss […]
Wolff denies 2020 seat guaranteed for Ocon
Nov.24 (GMM) Toto Wolff has slammed suggestions he has already guaranteed Esteban Ocon the race seat at Mercedes for 2020. Furious about Ocon’s clash with Max Verstappen in Brazil a fortnight ago, Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko said the Dutchman had been taken out by “a driver who already has a Mercedes deal for […]
Wolff wants Lauda ‘back at full speed’
Nov.24 (GMM) Niki Lauda has told Mercedes he will be back at the F1 tracks “soon”. The team chairman and F1 legend actually wanted to come to Abu Dhabi, but according to Austrian radio O3, that plan was vetoed by doctors. “He didn’t lose the race to come to Abu Dhabi, he won it because […]
Renault team safe amid Carlos Ghosn scandal
Nov.24 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has played down suggestions Renault’s F1 project could be affected by the Carlos Ghosn affair. Ghosn, the CEO of the major car manufacturer Renault, is currently in prison in Tokyo. Asked what impact the scandal will have on the F1 team, boss Abiteboul said in Abu Dhabi: “It’s fair to say […]
Russian sponsor leaves F1 with Sirotkin
Nov.23 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin’s sponsor is driving away from formula one for now. The Russian driver is gutted that Williams has decided to sign up Robert Kubica instead of him for 2019. Sirotkin is backed by Russian banker Boris Rotenberg’s SMP programme. “We have decided not to continue our involvement in formula one,” Rotenberg said […]
F1 considers new tyre rules for 2019
Nov.23 (GMM) Team managers have met with FIA race director Charlie Whiting in Abu Dhabi to talk about tyres. The meeting follows the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association meeting recently in Brazil, when the drivers complained directly to Pirelli that the current tyres do not allow them to attack in the races. And so, according to […]
Vandoorne hopeful about F1 future
Nov.23 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne is hopeful about his future in formula one. That is despite the fact that Abu Dhabi is his last race with McLaren prior to switching to Formula E for 2019. Vandoorne has been signed by Mercedes’ new works team in the all-electric category, but he will also stay in touch with […]
Haas protests Force India over $60m payment
Nov.23 (GMM) Haas has lodged an official protest against the Force India team. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the dispute is all about money — and up to a whopping $60 million. Haas, the small American outfit, is pointing out that when Lawrence Stroll bought the Force India assets earlier this year, a whole […]
Sainz to test McLaren next week
Nov.23 (GMM) Carlos Sainz will get his McLaren career off to an early start. Both Renault and Red Bull, who have contracts with the Spaniard, have apparently released Sainz to test the 2018 McLaren next week in the post-race Abu Dhabi test. But the 24-year-old says he is still focused on rounding out the season […]
Lauda not in Abu Dhabi – Marko
Nov.23 (GMM) Niki Lauda is not in Abu Dhabi for the F1 finale. Earlier, we reported that despite the Mercedes team chairman’s closest paddock friends saying Lauda had targeted a comeback, he is in fact not well enough to be in Abu Dhabi. The 69-year-old had a lung transplant in early August and is currently […]
Managers say Alonso could return in 2020
Nov.23 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s managers say it is possible the Spaniard will return to formula one in 2020. Disenchanted with the category, Abu Dhabi is the 37-year-old’s last grand prix for now, as Alonso will focus on the Indy 500, Le Mans and some other “iconic” races in 2019. “Maybe next year by April or […]
Bottas ‘not worried’ about 2020 seat
Nov.23 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he is not worried he could lose his seat after 2019. The Finn is all signed up for next year, but Mercedes could be holding the seat open for Force India refugee Esteban Ocon for 2020. Ocon, the top Mercedes junior who looks set to be a ‘super reserve’ for […]
Lauda to miss Abu Dhabi comeback
Nov.22 (GMM) Niki Lauda will not be in Abu Dhabi this weekend. The F1 legend’s closest friends and colleagues including Toto Wolff, Helmut Marko and Bernie Ecclestone had earlier confirmed that the 69-year-old’s ‘secret plan’ was to be at the 2018 finale. But triple world champion and Mercedes team chairman Lauda is still in rehabilitation, […]
Jock Clear to be Leclerc’s race engineer
Nov.22 (GMM) Jock Clear is returning to his familiar role as race engineer for 2019. The 55-year-old rose to prominence in 1997, as he guided Jacques Villeneuve to the world championship with Williams. Clear followed Villeneuve to BAR, with the Brackley team subsequently becoming Honda, Brawn and Mercedes. He switched to Ferrari for 2015, where […]
Ricciardo says Renault switch ‘terrifying’
Nov.22 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has admitted his move from Red Bull to Renault for 2019 is “terrifying”. Speaking to The Players Tribune, the Australian revealed that amid a difficult 2018 season with the energy drink-owned team, it was a difficult decision to accept a rival offer from Renault. “I’ve talked about rolling with the punches, […]