Oct.10 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel did not have the right approach to be world champion in 2018. That is the view of former title-winning Benetton and Renault team boss Flavio Briatore. Ferrari’s Vettel is being roundly criticised for mistakes that, despite earlier having the better car, have dropped him far behind championship rival Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes’ […]
Wolff not counting Hamilton’s title chickens yet
Oct.9 (GMM) Although Lewis Hamilton has reached his first ‘match point’ of 2018, his boss Toto Wolff insists it is not over yet. It might be said that, because Mercedes’ Hamilton can actually race into mathematical certainty for his fifth crown in Austin next weekend, he already has ‘one hand on the trophy’. Mercedes’ Wolff […]
Vettel ‘accepts he cannot win’ – Villeneuve
Oct.9 (GMM) Former world champions Jacques Villeneuve and Mika Hakkinen disagree about the fatal mistake committed by Sebastian Vettel at Suzuka. Some think the Ferrari driver collided with Max Verstappen at exactly the wrong moment, as it might now be seen as the final nail in the coffin of his title assault. But others think […]
Italian press savages Vettel, Ferrari
Oct.9 (GMM) The Italian press has savaged Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel as the Maranello team’s 2018 title falls apart. After Suzuka, it might be said that the final nail in the coffin of Vettel’s championship charge was hammered in. And given that Ferrari at one stage looked the favourite with the best car in the […]
Vandoorne wants ‘favourable conditions’ for F1 return
Oct.8 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne says he will only agree to return to formula one if he is offered “favourable conditions”. The Belgian has lost his place at McLaren and acknowledges that his chances of finding another seat are basically “zero”. Rather, Mercedes’ new works team in Formula E is expected to name him as a […]
Vettel rules out leaving Ferrari
Oct.8 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel says he is not going to leave Ferrari just because his 2018 title campaign is in tatters. Not long ago, the German looked set to use his superior red car to claw back ground against Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. But in Monza, Singapore, Russia and now Japan, not only did Ferrari’s mistakes […]
F1 struggling to explain Ferrari decline
Oct.8 (GMM) The F1 paddock is scratching its head about the strange and sudden decline of Ferrari’s 2018 championship assault. Some think Sebastian Vettel’s struggle is because the FIA installed a second sensor in his car’s controversial battery layout. Asked if he could explain what the sensor is for, F1 race director Charlie Whiting answered: […]
Bottas coping well with end of 2018 season – Wolff
Oct.8 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas is coping well with a difficult end to his 2018 campaign. That is the news from Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, after the Sochi-Suzuka double header in which Finn Bottas was clearly playing the ‘number 2’ role in support of runaway championship leader Lewis Hamilton. Some have suggested Mercedes may try […]
Ocon vows to stay in F1 paddock in 2019
Oct.7 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he will stay in the F1 paddock next year even if he is not racing. The Frenchman looks set to lose his seat at Force India, and despite Mercedes’ best efforts, other teams like Renault and McLaren did not accommodate him. “No, I don’t blame them,” he told RMC Sport. […]
Kvyat does not make too many mistakes – Todt
Oct.7 (GMM) Jean Todt says he is happy to see Russian driver Daniil Kvyat back in F1. Kvyat lost his place in the Red Bull programme last year and has since been a Ferrari development driver. He will replace Pierre Gasly at Toro Rosso in 2019. “He is a very talented driver which he has […]
McLaren has ‘same car from 2017’ – Alonso
Oct.7 (GMM) McLaren has not developed its car since the opening few races of the season. That is the news from both of the struggling British team’s drivers. “We have not had improvements since Spain,” said Fernando Alonso. “We can see in photos and on the track that the rest of the teams in the […]
Vettel laments direction of modern F1
Oct.7 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has lamented F1’s direction of the past years. Previously, formula one was the clear pinnacle of motor sport, but it now appears that only the wealthiest and most well-connected can make it to the top. “Karting has become something a normal family can no longer afford, so many talents will fall […]
Arrivabene furious as Vettel title falls apart
Oct.7 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene was furious with his own team after Ferrari’s bungled qualifying at Suzuka. Sebastian Vettel’s chances were already in tatters, but a P9 qualifying in Japan looks to be one of the final nails in the coffin. “Is it still a battle?” Max Verstappen said on Saturday when asked if his P3 […]
Mistakes cost Vettel, Ferrari 2018 title – Marko
Oct.6 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko thinks former protege Sebastian Vettel’s 2018 title chances are basically over. The Red Bull official thinks both Ferrari and Vettel, who won all of his titles with the energy drink owned team before switching to Ferrari, made mistakes that have probably cost them the championship. “I considered Vettel to be […]
Ericsson eyes Indycar move
Oct.6 (GMM) Marcus Ericsson has admitted his next move could be out of formula one and into Indycar. The Swede has been signed up to stay at Sauber next year as reserve driver, but he is quoted by Brazil’s Globo as indicating he also wants to keep racing. “We’re also talking to teams in other […]
Arrivabene angry amid ‘second sensor’ talk
Oct.6 (GMM) An angry Maurizio Arrivabene has lashed out after reports emerged that a second FIA sensor has been added to the 2018 Ferrari. Following suspicions about the legality of the Maranello team’s power unit, some believe the second sensor is the reason Ferrari’s recent performance has slumped. “That’s right, there’s an extra sensor,” team […]
McLaren, Williams plight saddens Hamilton
Oct.5 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is sad that two of F1’s most famous names are now struggling at the back. The quadruple world champion and Mercedes driver started his career at the then-powerful McLaren team. “I’m sad that they’re so far behind,” Hamilton told Belgium’s F1 Journaal. “I’m just as sorry that a team […]
Gasly helmet to be analysed after Sochi incident
Oct.5 (GMM) Pierre Gasly was lucky to escape injury during the Russian grand prix a week ago. Germany’s Bild newspaper has published an exclusive close-up photo of the damage done to the visor of the Frenchman’s helmet after a sizeable chunk of carbon fell off a rival’s car. Years ago, Red Bull official Dr Helmut […]
Arrivabene denies Ferrari exit rumours
Oct.5 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene has played down suggestions he is about to leave Ferrari and formula one. The Maranello team’s boss has been linked with a move to Juventus, the Italian football club connected to the Ferrari-linked Agnelli family. “I’ve been a member of the board of directors for years, before taking on this role […]
Hamilton ‘surprised’ by Ferrari team orders stance
Oct.5 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is “surprised” Ferrari has not played more of a team game in the fight for the 2018 world championship. The world championship leader defended his own team, Mercedes, after Valtteri Bottas was controversially ordered aside in Russia a week ago. “Formula one is a team sport,” Hamilton said in […]