Jul.23 (GMM) F1 is preparing to vote on the issue of whether or not to introduce the ‘Halo’ cockpit protection for 2017. In the drivers’ briefing in Hungary, Charlie Whiting and FIA officials showed a presentation that included shocking images and figures that said survival chances increase by 17 per cent with the controversial system […]
Mercedes eyes ‘next generation’ after Rosberg
Jul.22 (GMM) Mercedes could be ready to look to the “next generation” of drivers by the time Nico Rosberg’s new two-year deal ends. That was the claim on Friday of Toto Wolff, as he played down claims Mercedes may have made a mistake by setting up both Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton’s deals to both expire […]
Hungarian Grand Prix – 2nd Free Practice
Rosberg quickest with a 1:20.435 from Ricciardo (+0.595), Vettel (+0.913), Verstappen (+1.335), Hamilton (+1.525), Raikkonen (+1.623), Alonso (+1.893), Button (+1.952), Hulkenberg (+2.014) & Perez (+2.218). Gutierrez, Massa, Sainz, Bottas, Grosjean, Kvyat, Magnussen, Ericssion, Palmer, Nasr, Wehrlein and Haryanto make the rest of the field. It appears that Mercedes have around half a second over Red […]
Hungarian Grand Prix – 1st Free Practice
Hamilton quickest with a 1:21.347 from Rosberg (+0.237), Vettel (+1.644), Raikkonen (+1.735), Ricciardo (+1.827), Verstappen (+2.110), Alonso (+2.588), Button (+2.614), Grosjean (+2.666), Perez (+2.726). Hulkenberg, Massa, Bottas, Sainz, Ericsson, Leclerc (test driver), Nasr, Ocon (test driver), Kvyat, Haryanto, Wehrlein and Palmer make the rest of the field. Mercedes and Ferrari did set their best times […]
Rosberg signs new two-year, EUR 45m deal
Jul.22 (GMM) Nico Rosberg travelled to the Hungaroring with a new two-year contract in his back pocket. The team and the German driver announced the news with a video on Twitter showing Rosberg, 31, and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff signing a piece of paper. And Bild newspaper said the deal including bonuses will be worth […]
Ricciardo ‘not scared’ of Verstappen
Jul.22 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo insists he is not “scared” of his teammate Max Verstappen. Just like he burst into F1 with Toro Rosso last year, the 18-year-old teenager has made a similarly meteoric mid-season switch to Red Bull. Many believe the Dutchman already has the upper hand on Australian Ricciardo, particularly on the basis of […]
F1 to revive grid starts for wet races – report
Jul.22 (GMM) Following a spate of recent criticism, F1 could revive the old concept of starting wet grands prix from the grid. Although not an explicit rule, a normal standing-start now rarely occurs on a wet track, such as last time out at Silverstone for the British grand prix. That rolling start attracted a lot […]
Haas looks set to keep same drivers
Jul.22 (GMM) Esteban Gutierrez says his future is secure. Actually, Haas’ team boss says it is leaving the driver question open for now, so when asked about 2017, Romain Grosjean smiled: “Ask Gunther (Steiner)!” But the Frenchman dropped a big hint that he sees Haas as a long-term project, even though he admits there had […]
Bottas admits F1 future not secure yet
Jul.22 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he still does not know if he will be staying at Williams in 2017. The British team is currently keeping its options open, amid links with Jenson Button and also Lance Stroll, a Canadian rookie who is said to have $35 million in backing behind him thanks to his billionaire […]
Staying at Sauber an option after buyout – Nasr
Jul.22 (GMM) Felipe Nasr is not ruling out staying at Sauber in the wake of the Swiss team’s buyout by an investment group. Marcus Ericsson in Hungary joined boss Monisha Kaltenborn in not commenting on speculation that the buyers are linked to the Swedish driver’s sponsors. Nasr, meanwhile, brings backing from the Banco do Brasil, […]
Vettel blames media amid Ferrari ‘crisis’
Jul.22 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has pointed a finger at the media as talk of a Ferrari ‘crisis’ swirls in Hungary. Overtaken in recent races by Red Bull, Ferrari has also been struggling with reliability problems. Now, there are rumours that technical director James Allison is departing, that Ross Brawn could replace him, and that Vettel […]
Button not sure McLaren can win in 2017
Jul.22 (GMM) Jenson Button is not so sure McLaren-Honda can be in a winning position as soon as 2017. His teammate, Fernando Alonso, is already under contract for next year and he says the target is not only wins but the world championship. Button’s situation is much less clear, with Williams apparently interested in signing […]
2017 talks not just with Renault – Magnussen
Jul.22 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has admitted for the first time that he is looking beyond Renault to secure his future in formula one. But the Dane does welcome news that the French works team has now stopped developing the 2016 car in order to focus completely on the new regulations. “Yes, because we can’t win […]
Kvyat backs world champions’ F1 criticism
Jul.22 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat has backed the complaints of two multiple champions as today’s face of formula one comes under the microscope. Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel could not hide their frustration when asked about the latest radio restrictions and the new track surface and kerbs at the Hungaroring ahead of this weekend’s action. German […]
Latest radio rules divide F1 paddock
Jul.21 (GMM) The F1 paddock remains split on the issue of radio restrictions, as the FIA further tightened the rules ahead of the Hungarian grand prix. In a shock move following recent criticisms, the governing body on Thursday revealed a further clarification. The headline is that a driver like Nico Rosberg at Silverstone who is […]
FIA using technology to enforce track limits
Jul.21 (GMM) F1’s governing body has turned to technology to enforce the thorny topic of ‘track limits’ this weekend in Hungary. Keeping all four wheels on the track has been a controversial topic of late, and Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg acknowledged the problem. “Charlie Whiting is in a difficult situation,” he is quoted by […]
Ferrari needs ‘time’ amid F1 recovery – Berger
Jul.21 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger says Ferrari needs “time” to recapture its glory days. The Italian press is currently characterising Ferrari as being in ‘crisis’, having failed to capitalise on its progress and being out-performed in recent races by Red Bull. Technical director James Allison is said to be departing, Ross Brawn has denied […]
Horner tips Mercedes switch for Vettel in 2018
Jul.21 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s former boss thinks the German driver may soon run out of patience for Ferrari. Christian Horner, who oversaw Vettel’s four consecutive world championships for Red Bull, told Sport Bild that he senses a lack of calm in the 29-year-old’s current disposition. “I have the feeling that Seb is a bit rattled,” […]
Imola files legal action to secure Italy GP
Jul.21 (GMM) Imola has filed legal action as it steps up its bid to host the Italian grand prix from 2017. Recent reports claimed Bernie Ecclestone had inked a deal with the former San Marino GP venue, but the contract could not be signed off because it lacked the endorsement and backing of the Italian […]
Bianchi had ‘difficult time’ in Ferrari talks – Massa
Jul.21 (GMM) Jules Bianchi was enduring a “difficult time” in his relationship with Ferrari when he crashed at Suzuka in 2014. That is the claim of F1 veteran Felipe Massa, as the sport this week marks the one year anniversary of the tragic death of the former Marussia driver. Bianchi, 25, was widely regarded as […]