Dec.5 (GMM) Another potential opportunity has opened up for ousted Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat. The Russian was dropped from Red Bull’s F1 programme, but we reported this week that he is in talks with “at least two” Formula E teams. And now, the Autodromo di Franciacorta circuit in Italy has confirmed rumours that Kvyat, […]
Lauda could quit F1 after 2020
Dec.4 (GMM) Niki Lauda has joined Ferrari and Mercedes in not promising to stay in F1 beyond 2020. The F1 legend is the team chairman at Mercedes, but he has now quit his 21-year role as the expert pundit for German television RTL. He said that will help him focus better on Mercedes. “I’m already […]
Renault sets modest goals for future – Prost
Dec.4 (GMM) Renault is setting moderate goals for its immediate future in F1. That is the claim of team advisor and F1 legend Alain Prost. The Renault works team finished just sixth overall in 2017, and Prost says the only goal for next year is an improvement. “I think we have to be realistic and […]
Kvyat in talks over Formula E move
Dec.4 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat could revive his motor racing career in Formula E. After a tumultuous couple of years, the 23-year-old Russian lost his place not only at Toro Rosso, but in the entire Red Bull programme. But Formula E is now regarded as a viable alternative to F1 for drivers, manufacturers and sponsors. Ex-F1 […]
No four leaf clover on 2018 Sauber
Dec.4 (GMM) It is not yet clear if Alfa Romeo’s legendary ‘four leaf clover’ will be on the Sauber livery in 2018. The Swiss team’s sponsorship by the Italian luxury car brand was launched at the weekend, at an event attended by Chase Carey and Jean Todt. Team owner Pascal Picci said fans can expect […]
Vettel unsure over Kubica return
Dec.4 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted he is not sure what to think about Robert Kubica’s F1 comeback. It is believed the Pole is now on the cusp of securing his return to the sport with Williams, seven years after almost severing his arm in a rallying crash. “I think it’s very tragic what happened […]
Vandoorne ‘even better’ than Alonso – Prost
Dec.4 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne is now knocking on the door of performing “even better” than Fernando Alonso. That is the view of F1 legend Alain Prost, referring to the development this year of McLaren rookie Vandoorne. “Everyone watched Vandoorne because, prior to coming into F1, he was recognised as one of the most exceptional youngsters […]
Marchionne says Fiat quit threat ‘serious’
Dec.4 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne has reiterated his threat to pull Ferrari out of F1 after 2020. In fact, the Fiat CEO is now also threatening to withdraw Sauber’s newly announced Alfa Romeo sponsorship, over the dispute with Liberty Media about future rules. “We are serious and need to find a solution, and I think Chase […]
Michelin rules out F1 return
Dec.4 (GMM) Michelin has ruled out returning to formula one for now. Having supplied F1 teams in the past, the French marque briefly considered returning to the grid more recently. But boss Pascal Couasnon says a F1 return is currently ruled out. “We are not going to participate in a series where there is no […]
Hamilton rules out Alonso as teammate
Dec.4 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he will never again be paired with a driver like Fernando Alonso. The Briton made his F1 debut over a decade ago alongside then reigning world champion Alonso at McLaren. “That will never happen,” he told Stuttgarter Zeitung about the prospect of teaming up with Alonso again. “Toto (Wolff) understands […]
Hamilton rules out Ferrari switch
Dec.4 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has ruled out a move to Ferrari. The quadruple world champion’s Mercedes contract runs out at the end of next year. “I cannot imagine moving to Ferrari and I do not think that will change,” he told Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper. Indeed, it is believed Hamilton is in talks with Mercedes about […]
No ‘triple header’ races after 2018 – Brawn
Dec.1 (GMM) Ross Brawn says F1 wants to avoid organising ‘triple header’ races in future. Mid next year, during its first-ever 21 race calendar, the schedule will for the first time feature three races on consecutive weekends — France, Austria and Britain. F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn admitted it will be hard for F1’s travelling […]
F1 chiefs scout race locations in Miami – report
Dec.1 (GMM) Miami is emerging as a likely destination of a second US grand prix in the near future. With Liberty Media now owning F1’s commercial rights, the coastal city in Florida has been mentioned as a potential venue of a street race by the likes of Chase Carey and Ross Brawn. Now, the local […]
Todt ‘forgives’ Vettel for Baku incident
Dec.1 (GMM) FIA president Jean Todt says he “forgives” Sebastian Vettel for his actions this year in Baku. In the heat of their 2017 title battle, the Ferrari driver pulled alongside Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during a safety car period in Azerbaijan and deliberately crashed into him. But Todt says it’s important to move on. “You […]
New tyres to help F1 car designers – Isola
Dec.1 (GMM) Pirelli’s softer new tyres for 2018 will open up new car design possibilities for F1 teams. That is the claim of Mario Isola, the Italian tyre supplier’s F1 chief. This week, top drivers gave a thumbs up to Pirelli’s all-new ‘hyper soft’ tyre for 2018, with next year’s compounds also being softer across […]
Hamilton could quit ‘at any time’ – Surer
Dec.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton will quit formula one when his “private life” becomes more important to him. That is the claim of former F1 driver Marc Surer, following the reigning world champion’s latest claims about potentially quitting the sport. Hamilton’s latest comments could be because he is reportedly negotiating a lucrative new deal with Mercedes […]
Mallya fears death in Indian jail
Dec.1 (GMM) Vijay Mallya says he fears being murdered if he is put in an Indian jail. Over a corruption case, the Indian government wants to extradite the Force India team owner and boss from Britain. And the Times of India reports that Mallya is arguing to a London court that he fears being murdered, […]
Sirotkin admits wanting Williams race seat
Dec.1 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin has admitted he is hoping Williams picks him instead of Robert Kubica to drive for the British team in 2018. Although Kubica is the hot candidate, and other drivers are still in the running, Russian Sirotkin actually got a test in the 2017 car this week in Abu Dhabi. “I want […]
Red Bull Technology to help Honda – Marko
Nov.30 (GMM) Red Bull is already working with Honda, amid rumours they will go racing together in 2019. Already next year, given the Japanese marque’s breakup with McLaren, Honda will supply engines exclusively to the Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso. And Dr Helmut Marko revealed to the German broadcaster Sky that Red Bull Technology […]
Drivers happy with new Pirelli ‘hyper soft’
Nov.30 (GMM) Top F1 drivers have shown a thumbs up to Pirelli’s softer new tyres for 2018. As he tested the brand new ‘hyper soft’ in the post-Abu Dhabi GP tyre test, world champion Lewis Hamilton said it was Pirelli’s best ever. Pirelli reports that the pink-marked tyre is “about a second per lap faster” […]