Nov.28 (GMM) Despite the McLaren split, Honda thinks it has finally found the right direction in F1. Although the Japanese marque was effectively dumped by the top British team, Honda’s Yusuke Hasegawa is optimistic about the new partnership with Toro Rosso. “The hardest year was undoubtedly the first, but also the third year was not […]
Stroll ‘understands’ need to improve – Lowe
Nov.28 (GMM) Paddy Lowe has admitted he hopes Lance Stroll learns from his difficulties in 2017. 19-year-old Stroll, backed by his billionaire father Lawrence, has struggled at times during his F1 debut season, including at the Abu Dhabi finale. “It seemed that he could not get the car to work properly in terms of balance,” […]
Ferrari to lose major backer Santander
Nov.28 (GMM) Ferrari looks set to lose major sponsor Santander. The El Confidencial publication reports that the Spanish bank’s chief Ana Botin has decided against extending the EUR 40 million per year deal. “According to sources close to the talks, Santander rejected Ferrari’s proposal to continue as the main partner after eight years,” the report […]
Petrobras to sponsor McLaren in 2018 – rumour
Nov.27 (GMM) McLaren looks set to secure a significant new sponsor for 2018. Earlier this year, we reported that with Petrobras leaving Williams, the Brazilian oil multinational could switch to McLaren for 2018. And now in Abu Dhabi, the next rumours unfolded. It was announced that McLaren protege Lando Norris is joining the Formula 2 […]
Lauda quits as German TV pundit
Nov.27 (GMM) Niki Lauda announced on Sunday that he will no longer work as a F1 pundit for German broadcaster RTL. The F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman shocked host Florian Konig and fellow pundit Nico Rosberg when he made the announcement without warning during the Abu Dhabi coverage. Lauda later told Bild newspaper: “It […]
2018 engine rules ‘not barking mad’ – Wolff
Nov.27 (GMM) Toto Wolff has hit back at criticisms of the changing engine rules for 2018. In Abu Dhabi, amid the flurry of grid penalties seen late this year, Red Bull’s Christian Horner said moving from four engines per driver to three in 2018 is “barking mad”. “If it’s barking mad, then he should not […]
Todt denies Halo will be scrapped
Nov.27 (GMM) Jean Todt has dismissed rumours the controversial Halo concept will be scrapped ahead of the 2018 season. In a garage test in Abu Dhabi, Valtteri Bottas failed to get out of a Halo-equipped Mercedes within the prescribed 7 seconds. Amid existing concerns about the aesthetics of the cockpit protection solution, and the fact […]
Ferrari can choose to quit F1 – Todt
Nov.27 (GMM) Jean Todt says the FIA cannot be swayed by Ferrari’s threats about quitting formula one. Amid Liberty Media’s plans for new engine rules and a budget cap for the future, the Italian team is warning that it may not sign up for 2021 and beyond. “That’s their choice,” said FIA president Todt, who […]
Tilke defends Abu Dhabi layout after dull finale
Nov.27 (GMM) Hermann Tilke has defended the Abu Dhabi layout after a processional 2017 finale. Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko said after Sunday’s race: “It was one of the worst races I can remember. “Hamilton was probably faster than Bottas and Max was faster than Raikkonen, but as soon as they got close they could […]
Drivers not keen on new F1 logo
Nov.27 (GMM) Top F1 drivers have reacted coolly to the unveiling of the sport’s new logo. Although the full F1 rebranding won’t be launched until the start of next season, the world got a peek at the new logo on the podium of the 2017 finale in Abu Dhabi. “We wanted to present it now […]
McLaren stands firm on shark fin ‘veto’
Nov.26 (GMM) McLaren is standing firm on its ‘veto’ about F1’s shark fin-style engine covers for 2018. Originally, the FIA banned the aesthetically-questionable appendages for next year, but the teams then lobbied to have the ban lifted. However, at the eleventh hour, McLaren withdrew its vote, effectively exercising a ‘veto’. But with most of the […]
FIA firm on three engines rule change for 2018
Nov.26 (GMM) The FIA is standing firm on the move from four to three engines per driver in 2018. The rule change is actually highly controversial, with Red Bull’s Christian Horner saying giving drivers less engines amid the frenzy of grid penalties is “barking mad”. McLaren’s Eric Boullier agrees, arguing that the rule change will […]
Vandoorne ‘felt self-doubt’ during tough 2017
Nov.26 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne has admitted his first full season in F1 tested his self-confidence. A standout junior driver, the Belgian struck early trouble this year as he struggled to adapt to F1, McLaren-Honda, and having Fernando Alonso as his teammate. Asked what 2017 taught him, the 25-year-old told Het Laatste Nieuws: “That you should […]
Kubica must pass medical checks for F1 license – Todt
Nov.26 (GMM) Medical specialists will examine Robert Kubica before he is granted an FIA super license. That is the news from Abu Dhabi, the 2017 season finale that is being attended by FIA president Jean Todt. Seven years after almost losing his right arm in a rallying crash, former BMW and Renault driver Kubica is […]
Alonso, McLaren disagree over full WEC campaign
Nov.26 (GMM) McLaren and Fernando Alonso continue to disagree about whether the Spanish driver should complete the full world endurance championship in 2018. McLaren executive Zak Brown said in Abu Dhabi that the British team is “open” to Alonso doing Le Mans, as McLaren and Toyota are “not competitors”. But it seems that Alonso also […]
Verstappen off the pace as 2017 ends
Nov.26 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s recent run of top form has ended in Abu Dhabi. After a tough start to 2017, the Dutchman has been in top form more recently, winning in Malaysia and Mexico. But he seems to have failed to get to grips with Abu Dhabi, the scene of the 2017 finale. “What has […]
German fans could lose F1 TV coverage
Nov.26 (GMM) German fans could find that formula one is not on television in 2018. Even the pay broadcaster Sky is currently in talks with Liberty Media, with that deal as well as the one with free-to-air network RTL running out after Sunday’s Abu Dhabi grand prix. “Losing free TV in Germany would be quite […]
No contract decisions ‘in coming months’ – Ricciardo
Nov.26 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull are in stalemate over a potential contract beyond 2018 for the Australian driver. Max Verstappen’s deal through 2020 caught Ricciardo by surprise, and he is now hinting that he is open to talks with Mercedes and Ferrari about 2019. “I very much doubt I will decide anything in […]
Halo to make 2018 cars slower – report
Nov.25 (GMM) F1 cars could be half a second per lap slower in 2018. The reason for that is the introduction of the Halo safety innovation, which tips the scales at 14 kilograms in total according to Auto Motor und Sport. But the issue of the cars’ aesthetics is more of a concern to many […]
F1 tests new microphone to improve engine sound
Nov.25 (GMM) F1 is working to turn up the engine volume for the sport’s television viewers. After earlier efforts to amplify the actual engine note for the trackside spectators failed, Liberty Media now has a new approach. Auto Bild claims that instead of trying to make the ‘power units’ actually louder, the new idea is […]