Sep.13 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he is sure Niki Lauda will eventually return to the F1 paddock. We reported recently that, as he recovers from a lung transplant in intensive care, the Mercedes team chairman will not attend any of the remaining seven grands prix in 2018. But Wolff, Lauda’s closest colleague, is confident the […]
Magnussen to stay at Haas in 2019 – report
Sep.13 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen looks set to be retained by Haas for the 2019 season. While his teammate Romain Grosjean has had more of a struggle, the American team is openly happy with Dane Magnussen. Ekstra Bladet newspaper says Haas’ 2019 option on Magnussen expires at the end of September, but confirmation of the deal […]
Giovinazzi on pole for second Sauber seat
Sep.13 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi has emerged on pole position to be Kimi Raikkonen’s teammate at Sauber next year. Currently, the Ferrari-bound Charles Leclerc’s teammate at the Swiss team is Marcus Ericsson, a driver with strong backing and links to Sauber’s owners. “It’s no secret that I want to stay in Sauber, but I know the […]
Red Bull denies Mick Schumacher rumours
Sep.13 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has denied rumours suggesting Red Bull is set to sign up Mick Schumacher. Schumacher, son of the F1 legend Michael, is suddenly dominating the European F3 series, triggering rumours Red Bull wants him for its junior programme and possibly even a Toro Rosso seat. The 19-year-old admits he is riding […]
Ocon career crisis ‘crazy’ – Horner
Sep.12 (GMM) Christian Horner says it’s “crazy” that a driver of the calibre of Esteban Ocon could be left without a F1 seat. In the next days or weeks, the Frenchman is expected to lose his place at Force India to Lance Stroll, whose father Lawrence has bought the team. Options at Renault, McLaren and […]
Todt happy if calendar swells to 23 races
Sep.12 (GMM) Jean Todt says he has no problem if the F1 calendar swells to include some more races. Already, the 21-race calendar for this year and next is controversial, with many saying it is a strain for team staff and arguably too much exposure for F1 fans. But with Miami and other potential new […]
Raikkonen could buy into Sauber – Salo
Sep.12 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen will keep his F1 career alive for another two seasons at least, despite losing his place at Ferrari to youngster Charles Leclerc. The 38-year-old has been signed up by Sauber, the small Swiss team where he started his career way back in 2001. “I heard about this possibility already at Monza,” […]
Arrivabene apologised to Bottas for ‘butler’ comment
Sep.12 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene says he has apologised directly to Valtteri Bottas for comments made after the recent Italian grand prix. When asked why Kimi Raikkonen did not perform a Bottas-like ‘team role’ to support Sebastian Vettel at Monza, the Ferrari boss had said: “We have drivers, not butlers”. “As soon as I said it […]
FIA to look into team alliances
Sep.11 (GMM) F1’s governing body is keeping an eye on the emergence of alliances between the teams. Haas entered the sport a few years ago in close alliance with Ferrari, and now Sauber is working closely with the Italian team as well. And now, it is rumoured that Force India or Williams could work much […]
Schumacher now dominating F3
Sep.11 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is well on his road to formula one. That is the view of former F1 driver Mika Salo, who thinks it is possible the 19-year-old son of seven time world champion Michael Schumacher is good enough for the pinnacle of motor sport. Recently, Schumacher leapt into contention for the prestigious European […]
Lauda will not return in 2018 – report
Sep.10 (GMM) Niki Lauda will miss all of the remaining races this season, Bild newspaper has revealed. The F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman is reportedly still in intensive care in Vienna following a life-saving lung transplant. Lauda’s friend Dr Helmut Marko, of Red Bull, told Bild that he has not been able to visit […]
Now Singapore ignoring F1 ‘grid girls’ ban
Sep.10 (GMM) Singapore has joined a growing list of grand prix hosts who are sidestepping F1’s ‘grid girls’ ban. Organisers in Austria and Russia remained committed to using beautiful women to promote their respective races despite the controversial ban, and now Singapore is following suit. Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore reports that major sponsor Singapore Airlines will […]
Buemi on pole for Toro Rosso return
Sep.10 (GMM) Sebastien Buemi has moved into pole position for a return to formula one next year. The now 29-year-old Swiss contested over 50 races for Toro Rosso until 2011, going on to become a top sports car and Formula E driver. But now with Pierre Gasly moving to Red Bull Racing, and Brendon Hartley […]
Kubica ‘most likely’ Stroll replacement – Williams
Sep.10 (GMM) Claire Williams says it is “likely” that Robert Kubica will step in to replace the Force India-bound Lance Stroll. It is believed Stroll will join his father Lawrence at Racing Point Force India from Singapore, after the billionaire fashion mogul rescued that team. “We don’t know when but Lance will probably leave the […]
Perez denies McLaren was 2019 option
Sep.10 (GMM) Sergio Perez has denied that McLaren was ever a serious option for him for 2019. Recently, McLaren’s Zak Brown mentioned the Mexican as being on the list of potential drivers for next year. But then Lando Norris was signed up to be Carlos Sainz’s 2019 teammate. “There was interest but it was on […]
Criticism of Vettel ‘not fair’ – Wolff
Sep.7 (GMM) Toto Wolff has defended Sebastian Vettel amid widespread criticism of his driving in 2018. Most now agree that Ferrari has the fastest car at the moment, but it is Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton with a comfortable 30 point lead with 7 races to go. “I’m not completely neutral, but for me Lewis is the […]
Wolff ‘in regular contact’ with Lauda
Sep.7 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he remains in “regular contact” with F1 legend Niki Lauda. Together, the duo own and run F1’s highly successful works Mercedes team. Some weeks ago, 69-year-old team chairman Lauda had a life-saving lung transplant. He continues to recover in a Vienna hospital, and Mercedes boss Wolff said “everyone” at the […]
Ferrari chief’s brother reveals Leclerc signing
Sep.7 (GMM) Charles Leclerc is definitely joining Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari next year. We reported this week that the news should be at least internally clarified during a meeting at Maranello on Thursday. Indeed, after that meeting took place, news started to leak out. On the Facebook page of Garage Italia, a company headed by […]
Vettel making too many mistakes – Hakkinen
Sep.7 (GMM) Former world champion Mika Hakkinen thinks Mercedes could be heading for the 2018 title, even though Ferrari currently has the faster car. The 1998 and 1999 title winner is referring to the fact that while Sebastian Vettel’s red car is quicker, Lewis Hamilton is 30 points out in front. “No one can say […]
Schumacher eyes F2, DTM for 2019
Sep.6 (GMM) Mick Schumacher is speeding up on his road to formula one. The 19-year-old son of seven time world champion Michael is enjoying a resurgence in the highly competitive European F3 series, with three recent wins putting him fourth in the championship. Kolner Express newspaper thinks Schumacher’s next step will be into the F1 […]