Sep.2 (GMM) Ferrari is making “too many mistakes” in its quest for the world championship, according to 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg. Championship contender Sebastian Vettel was obviously unhappy after qualifying behind his teammate Kimi Raikkonen at Monza. It is believed he thought the Finn should have been providing rather than receiving the slipstream. Ferrari’s […]
FIA working on better-looking Halo
Sep.2 (GMM) A more refined version of the ‘Halo’ concept is in the works. That is the news from the FIA’s Charlie Whiting, as the F1 paddock almost unanimously agreed at Monza that the controversial safety innovation helped keep Charles Leclerc safe in his recent Spa crash. However, Whiting admitted that it is not “aesthetically […]
Four candidates for second McLaren seat
Sep.2 (GMM) Zak Brown has named four candidates who are in the running to race the second McLaren in 2019. The Woking team has already signed up Carlos Sainz, but now Stoffel Vandoorne is in danger of losing the other place. Recently, it was rumoured that McLaren could ‘give’ its junior Lando Norris to Toro […]
Racing third Mercedes ‘would be fantastic’ – Ocon
Sep.2 (GMM) Esteban Ocon agrees that introducing three cars per team would solve his problem in F1. With Lance Stroll set to move up to Force India, Frenchman Ocon could be left without a seat. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has suggested that F1 allowing teams to enter third cars for young drivers would be a […]
Stroll not denying Force India seat fitting
Sep.1 (GMM) Lance Stroll has not denied that he had a seat fitting at Racing Point Force India’s Silverstone HQ last week. It is strongly rumoured that the Canadian will switch from Williams within this season, and possibly in time for the Singapore grand prix later this month. When asked why he was spotted at […]
Indycar test ‘not key day’ for 2019 – Alonso
Sep.1 (GMM) Fernando Alonso will test an Indycar next week, it emerged at Monza. The 2005 and 2006 world champion has announced he is quitting formula one at the end of the year, and is hotly tipped to switch to Indycar full-time. “Yes, Alonso will test with Andretti,” McLaren boss Zak Brown, who is considering […]
Kvyat in frame for 2019 return – Horner
Sep.1 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat is back in the running for a seat at Toro Rosso. With Pierre Gasly moving to Red Bull Racing, the energy drink company is looking for a replacement but is so far unable to secure a super license for preferred successor Dan Ticktum. Last week, rumours emerged that former Red Bull […]
Ferrari ‘needs time’ for Raikkonen decision
Sep.1 (GMM) New Ferrari president Louis Camilleri says he is not ready to confirm Kimi Raikkonen for 2019. This weekend is Camilleri’s first Italian grand prix as the chief of the Maranello company, following the death of Sergio Marchionne. “We have a different style, but I miss him a lot. He was extraordinary, ambitious and […]
F1 should scrap ‘dangerous’ DRS – Sainz
Sep.1 (GMM) Carlos Sainz thinks F1 should consider scrapping the overtaking innovation DRS. Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson escaped unhurt from a massive crash during practice at Monza on Friday, and the cause was found to be a faulty DRS flap. “I’m glad Marcus is fine,” Renault driver Sainz said. “DRS is an artificial and dangerous […]
Lauda ‘much better’ – boss
Sep.1 (GMM) Niki Lauda is feeling “much better”. That is the news from Michael O’Leary, boss of the airline Ryanair which is in collaboration with the F1 legend’s own airline. A month ago, 69-year-old Lauda had a lung transplant and has been missing from his role as Mercedes team chairman at grands prix ever since. […]
Mercedes helps save German GP
Sep.1 (GMM) Germany’s grand prix has been saved by Mercedes. In the Monza paddock, a preliminary 21 race calendar for 2019 emerged featuring a race at Hockenheim. It is believed Mercedes played a big role in saving the race, thanks to a EUR 3 million sponsorship. “The race this year spoke of the enthusiasm for […]
Michelin says no but Hankook eyeing F1 in 2020
Sep.1 (GMM) Michelin has ruled out bidding to return to formula one in 2020. The FIA has put out a tender, but it will require the successful applicant to build current-spec tyres in 2020 before switching to low profile 18-inch wheels the year after. In a statement, the French company said it is concerned about […]
Ocon, Leclerc candidates for 2019 – Haas
Aug.31 (GMM) Team boss Gunther Steiner has admitted that Esteban Ocon might be a contender for a seat at Haas next year. Earlier, it appeared that Romain Grosjean would be ousted and replaced by Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc for 2019. But it suddenly appears as though Ocon, a Renault-championed Frenchman who appears set to lose […]
Sauber closes 2019 door to Vandoorne
Aug.31 (GMM) Another door appears to have closed to Stoffel Vandoorne. It seems increasingly likely that the Belgian will be ousted by McLaren — perhaps even as soon as after Sunday’s Italian grand prix at Monza. He had a horror weekend at Monza and afterwards blamed the McLaren car. When asked if it is frustrating […]
Perez plays down McLaren speculation
Aug.31 (GMM) Sergio Perez has played down speculation linking him with McLaren for 2019. Earlier, it seemed clear that the Mexican, having participated in the legal moves that triggered the Lawrence Stroll takeover, was definitely staying at Force India. But now, rumours are linking him with becoming Carlos Sainz’s teammate at McLaren next year. Asked […]
Halo critics unmoved after Leclerc crash
Aug.31 (GMM) Two fierce critics of the ‘Halo’ system are not backing down, even after the Charles Leclerc incident at Spa. After the incident involving Fernando Alonso’s flying McLaren, former double world champion Mika Hakkinen said he thinks the controversial cockpit protection saved Leclerc from injury “and maybe even death”. But two Halo critics don’t […]
Alonso has ‘new’ old McLaren at Monza
Aug.31 (GMM) McLaren has cobbled together a ‘new’ chassis for Fernando Alonso to race this weekend at Monza. Just days ago at Spa, the Spaniard’s car climbed over the back of Charles Leclerc’s Sauber, highlighting the role of the controversial Halo device. Alonso said at Monza that the chassis was “destroyed” in the crash. “It […]
Ocon confirms failed McLaren seat fitting
Aug.30 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has admitted he had a seat fitting at McLaren’s Woking factory. Last week, it was rumoured the Frenchman could be ousted by Lance Stroll at Force India, but accommodated with immediate effect at McLaren. However, it is believed the 2018 McLaren could not accommodate his 1.86m height. “It’s true that I […]
Verstappen ‘still no fan’ of Halo
Aug.30 (GMM) Even a scary crash at Spa has not convinced Max Verstappen about the merits of ‘Halo’. At the first corner of the Belgian grand prix, Fernando Alonso’s McLaren leapfrogged over the Sauber of Charles Leclerc. Tyre marks on the Halo convinced many that the controversial safety innovation had saved Leclerc’s life. But Verstappen […]
Raikkonen announcement still unclear
Aug.30 (GMM) It is still not clear if Ferrari is planning a driver announcement for Monza. While some expect the Italian team to confirm Kimi Raikkonen for 2019, Finland’s Turun Sanomat says “reliable sources” report that is not the case. Ferrari spokesman Alberto Antonini would not comment. Earlier, La Gazzetta dello Sport predicted that Raikkonen […]