Aug.26 (GMM) Alex Zanardi thinks the German touring car series DTM is better than formula one. The former F1 and Indycar driver will do some guest appearances in a hand-controlled DTM car this year. He told DPA news agency: “In my opinion, DTM is currently the best and most exciting series in the world. Better […]
Pirelli tipped to stay beyond 2019
Aug.26 (GMM) Pirelli looks set to stay in formula one even beyond 2019. The FIA has put out a tender for the 2020-2023 period, with a switch to 18-inch wheels not happening until 2021. But one insider thinks Pirelli is a shoo-in. “It’s basically not a tender,” the unnamed formula one team boss is quoted […]
Perez ‘already knows’ 2019 plans
Aug.26 (GMM) Sergio Perez is set to stay with Racing Point Force India next year. The fate of his teammate Esteban Ocon is much less certain, with reports suggesting Lance Stroll will do a seat fitting on Tuesday. Video footage of Ocon telling Sebastian Vettel that there is no place for him at Force India […]
No two-day race weekend format – Brawn
Aug.25 (GMM) Ross Brawn says formula one is not going to switch to a two-day race weekend format. As the calendar continues to expand, one idea under consideration has been dropping Friday practice day altogether. But Liberty Media’s F1 sporting director Ross Brawn declared: “We have come to the conclusion that three days is simply […]
McLaren’s de Ferran hints Vandoorne could lose seat
Aug.25 (GMM) McLaren has hinted that there might not be a seat for Stoffel Vandoorne for much longer. In fact, it is rumoured the Belgian could be a victim of a forthcoming driver shakeup. Lance Stroll is expected to join his billionaire father at Racing Point Force India within weeks — either in a few […]
Magnussen expects Haas announcement ‘soon’
Aug.25 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has given the strongest indication yet that he is staying at Haas in 2019. The future of his teammate Romain Grosjean, who has struggled in 2018, is much less clear, amid rumours he will be replaced by Charles Leclerc. But Dane Magnussen appears to be staying. “I have been in contact […]
Raikkonen admits 16 day drinking bender
Aug.25 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has admitted going on a 16 day drinking bender during his F1 career. The Finn’s former party lifestyle was not a secret, but in his new biography, ‘The Unknown Kimi Raikkonen’, he admitted that in 2012 he drank for 16 days between two grands prix. Asked if that behaviour would be […]
Abiteboul says Honda messaging ‘a joke’
Aug.25 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has called the official line regarding Red Bull’s move from Renault to Honda power a “joke”. As Red Bull drops Renault to become the works Honda team from 2019, Red Bull chiefs have consistently criticised Renault whilst saying everything about the Honda future looks rosy. “I think Daniel (Ricciardo) was not […]
Alonso tells Red Bull boss to apologise
Aug.25 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has called on Red Bull boss Christian Horner to apologise. The Spaniard claims that although Horner wanted to sign him on no fewer than six occasions, including two offers in 2018, he said in public that Alonso is a trouble-maker. “It has been weird, it has been unfair to me,” Alonso […]
2019 German GP rescue talks ‘good’ – Bratches
Aug.24 (GMM) F1 commercial boss Sean Bratches has declared himself an “optimist” as talks with Hockenheim about a 2019 race continue. Talks between Liberty Media and Hockenheim about a German grand prix for next year had completely broken down. But then F1’s plans for an inaugural event in Miami next year also fell through, reinvigorating […]
F1 could delay 2021 engine rule change – Brawn
Aug.24 (GMM) Ross Brawn has admitted F1 could delay the introduction of a new engine formula for 2021. The 2021 engine rule change has been long touted, although most of the existing manufacturers are opposed to big tweaks including the scrapping of the MGU-H. Recently, Mercedes’ Toto Wolff said he thinks the rules should not […]
Schumacher ‘cries’ at Lake Geneva view – relative
Aug.24 (GMM) Michael Schumacher’s former manager says he has “closed the chapter” on the stricken F1 legend. The condition of Schumacher, the most successful driver in F1 history, is basically unknown as he recovers from brain injuries at his home on Lake Geneva. One unnamed relative has this week told the Paris Match news magazine: […]
Magnussen ex-manager wins lawsuit
Aug.24 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has lost a lawsuit brought by his former manager. Dorte Riis Madsen had instigated a case in Copenhagen against the Danish driver, claiming a percentage of his earnings due to unfair dismissal and contract breach. Ekstra Bladet newspaper claims the court sided with Riis Madsen, ruling that 20 per cent of […]
‘Silly season’ in overdrive at Spa
Aug.24 (GMM) An earthquake is set to hit the F1 driver market. After the chequered flag waves on Sunday’s Belgian grand prix, there could be a plethora of mid-season driver changes for Monza a week later. Firstly, with Force India now renamed Racing Point, Lance Stroll is set to leave Williams and join the team […]
‘Soft’ budget cap set for 2019 – Brawn
Aug.23 (GMM) Ross Brawn says a budget cap is arriving in F1 as early as next year. The controversial issue of mandatorily limiting budgets has been mooted for years, but sporting boss Brawn says Liberty Media will start imposing the regime from 2019. “The cost cutting work is going well,” he said, according to the […]
F1 ‘not the same’ without Lauda – Marko
Aug.23 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says grands prix are not the same in the absence of Niki Lauda. F1 legend Lauda is currently recovering from a lung transplant in a Vienna hospital. “We all know that it was very serious and it still has not been said that the lungs are rejected, but that’s something […]
Renault deficit ‘more than 40hp’ – Verstappen
Aug.23 (GMM) Max Verstappen has hit out at the performance of his Renault engines. Playing down his hopes at Spa Francorchamps, the Dutchman says he does not have enough power for the Belgian circuit’s long straights. “30, 40 horse power?” he told RTL when asked what the deficit is. “No, it’s much, much, much more, […]
Force India could miss Belgian GP
Aug.23 (GMM) Force India could be forced to sit out this weekend’s Belgian grand prix. It would be a huge blow for the embattled Silverstone based team, after a Lawrence Stroll-led consortium rescued it from administration and near collapse. The team’s trucks are present at Spa Francorchamps, and staff were seen peeling off the branding. […]
Italy GP boss admits Monza future uncertain
Aug.22 (GMM) Monza is still facing an uncertain future. Amid similar problems at another traditional European circuit, Hockenheim, the boss at Italian GP venue Monza also revealed financial issues. “Last year we came out with a strong loss and in 2018 the budget will not look much better,” Italian motor racing federation (Aci) president Angelo […]
Sainz success to take ‘years’ – Button
Aug.22 (GMM) It could take McLaren “years” to get back to the front of the grid. That is the warning of former team driver Jenson Button, as he was asked about Carlos Sainz’s move from Renault to replace the retiring Fernando Alonso. “I don’t think the pace of the car will change in 2019,” Button […]