Jan.9 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is making “a mistake” by trying to combine F1 with endurance sports cars. That is the claim of his former rival and ongoing friend Mark Webber, after Alonso completed a week of testing in Daytona ahead of his prototype racing debut this month. The Spaniard is using Daytona to see if […]
Britain could lose grand prix – Warwick
Jan.9 (GMM) Former F1 driver Derek Warwick says it is possible the sport will lose its historic British grand prix. The Briton, who has battled cancer, recently stepped down as president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, which owns Silverstone. But Warwick, 63, only stepped down after Silverstone last year triggered the break clause in […]
Grosjean tips ‘very strong’ McLaren in 2018
Jan.8 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has tipped McLaren to have a strong year in formula one after dumping Honda power. The Ferrari-powered Haas driver said the works team of McLaren’s new engine supplier – Renault – has “developed the project well and is already in front of us”. And so the Frenchman expects McLaren to be […]
Villeneuve ‘only sees the negative’ – Stroll
Jan.8 (GMM) Lance Stroll has hit back at Jacques Villeneuve, saying the former Williams driver is “always negative”. 1997 world champion Villeneuve, who drove for the British team when he won his title over 20 years ago, is a serial critic of his fellow Canadian Stroll. Now, Villeneuve has hit out at Williams for reportedly […]
Alfa Romeo not taking over Sauber – team founder
Jan.7 (GMM) Team founder Peter Sauber says he does not think the Hinwil based team will become known as ‘Alfa Romeo’. Sauber has done a deal with Fiat president Sergio Marchionne that will see the Italian luxury carmaker Alfa Romeo become the title sponsor. Asked if that is a ‘strange feeling’, Sauber founder Peter Sauber […]
Alonso says third title is ‘first priority’
Jan.7 (GMM) Fernando Alonso may have more plans to race outside of F1, but he insists that his role with McLaren-Renault remains his main focus. Last year, the 36-year-old stunned the motor racing world by skipping Monaco to do the Indy 500, and right now he is testing in preparation for the forthcoming Daytona 24 […]
Sponsors pushing for Force India name change
Jan.6 (GMM) Otmar Szafnauer admits Force India is under pressure to change its name. Owner Vijay Mallya is locked in a bitter legal battle with the Indian government, but he insists that deliberations about dropping ‘India’ from the name is more about internationalising the team for global sponsors. The name ‘Force One’ was considered, but […]
Verstappen wants to keep Ricciardo as teammate
Jan.6 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he would like to keep Daniel Ricciardo as his teammate in F1. Dutchman Verstappen has signed on with Red Bull through 2020, but his Australian cohort Ricciardo is currently flirting with a move to a rival team for 2019. Verstappen said he would like things to stay the same. “We […]
Hartley to focus only on F1 in 2018
Jan.6 (GMM) Brendon Hartley says he will concentrate exclusively on formula one this year. As he rebuilt his career following his departure from the Red Bull programme some years ago, the now 28-year-old was active across several motor racing disciplines. In 2018, Hartley will even maintain his ties to Porsche, with whom he won last […]
Alonso ‘very bad politically’ – Piquet
Jan.5 (GMM) Former F1 driver Nelson Piquet says Fernando Alonso is to blame for his lack of success over the past decade. Alonso became F1’s youngest double world champion by 2006, but since then has failed to win another title with Renault, McLaren and Ferrari. “Fernando Alonso has had the chance to win up to […]
Wolff winter ‘less stressful’ than 2017
Jan.4 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he has enjoyed a more relaxing winter compared to a year ago. “It’s definitely less stressful than last year,” the Mercedes boss smiled. He is referring to the transition from 2016 to 2017, when the world champions had to suddenly replace Nico Rosberg with Valtteri Bottas. Wolff told Kurier newspaper: […]
Media still hungry for Schumacher news
Jan.4 (GMM) The media has not given up the quest to learn more about the current condition of F1 legend Michael Schumacher. In the past days, the 4 year anniversary of the great German’s skiing crash and his 49th birthday have left F1 fans saddened. Among them is his friend Sebastian Vettel. “I never saw […]
Briatore ‘very sorry’ Kubica comeback failed
Jan.4 (GMM) Flavio Briatore says it’s a shame Robert Kubica will not make a sensational return to formula one in 2018. A source close to Kubica, the former BMW and Renault driver who almost lost his arm in a 2011 rally crash, admits the Pole’s comeback bid is now “game over”. Other sources claim Williams […]
Ecclestone no longer attending races
Jan.4 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says he may no longer attend grands prix. The former F1 supremo began his first year as nominal ‘chairman emeritus’ in 2017 whilst still attending some races. But towards the end of the year, Ecclestone was conspicuously absent, and he now tells Auto Motor und Sport: “I have the feeling that […]
Less overtaking due to teams, not cars – Whiting
Jan.3 (GMM) Charlie Whiting has defended F1’s regulations, declaring that the biggest issue for the sport is in fact the competitiveness of the midfield teams. Many teams and drivers rounded out 2017 by declaring that while the new cars were faster, they also meant overtaking was more difficult. “The wider cars look great and they’ve […]
Williams set to announce Sirotkin deal
Jan.3 (GMM) Williams looks set to announce a two-year contract with Sergey Sirotkin. Earlier, the British team dithered over its choice of replacement for Felipe Massa, also seriously testing and considering the former BMW and Renault driver Robert Kubica. But Russian Sirotkin, backed heavily by the Vladimir Putin-linked SMP Bank, appears to have won the […]
Wolff expects Hamilton to stay at Mercedes
Jan.3 (GMM) Toto Wolff is sure Lewis Hamilton will race on with Mercedes. However, world champion Hamilton spent 2017 to-ing and fro-ing over his potential retirement plans, with his current contract set to expire after 2018. At the end of 2016, Hamilton’s then teammate Nico Rosberg suddenly quit F1, but team boss Wolff does not […]
Copenhagen, Nurburgring eye F1 race deals
Jan.3 (GMM) Plans for a grand prix in Copenhagen are speeding ahead. Ekstra Bladet newspaper reports that F1 chief executive Chase Carey is planning to travel to the Danish capital next week to meet with mayor Frank Jensen and other key figures. “We’re not ready to agree yet,” race promoter Helge Sander warned. Meanwhile, German […]
Mick Schumacher staying in F3
Jan.3 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is set to remain in European F3 for a second season this year. F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s 18-year-old son had a moderate first year in the highly competitive category for the Italian team Prema. Now, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that a 2018 contract with the same outfit will be agreed […]
Hamilton cool on venue for French GP return
Jan.3 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton thinks a better venue could have been selected for this year’s return of the French grand prix. After a decade’s absence, France is back on the F1 calendar this year, at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet. World champion Hamilton told Canal Plus broadcaster: “Honestly, I don’t like Paul Ricard. […]