Nov.13 (GMM) Niki Lauda admits Liberty Media’s vision of the future of formula one leaves him “worried”. In recent days, the sport’s new American owners have outlined their plans for a new engine formula and team budget caps. “I’m worried,” F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda told Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. “They […]
Honda switch should have Toro Rosso ‘worried’ – Alonso
Nov.13 (GMM) Toro Rosso should be “seriously worried” about its forthcoming future with Honda power. Actually, boss Franz Tost said he is confident Honda will sort out its problems over the winter and have a strong power unit to supply to the team next year. And Tost also seems keen to put the Renault era […]
Verstappen not seeking ‘number 1’ status
Nov.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he does not want to be Red Bull’s ‘number 1’ driver. With the Dutchman all signed up through 2020 but Daniel Ricciardo still yet to ink a new deal, some believe Red Bull is clearly building the team around Verstappen for the future. But even Australian Ricciardo doesn’t see it […]
Abu Dhabi test for Kubica not yet confirmed
Nov.13 (GMM) A test for Robert Kubica in Abu Dhabi is not quite set in stone. Earlier, Williams boss Paddy Lowe admitted the Pole would “almost certainly” get a run in the team’s 2017 car in the forthcoming post-grand prix test. But he has now told the Finnish broadcaster C More: “That’s not quite right.” […]
Alonso ‘not my mentor’ – Vandoorne
Nov.13 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne says he does not need Fernando Alonso’s help in formula one. After a sluggish start, Belgian rookie Vandoorne is now regularly competitive alongside his McLaren teammate Alonso, who is arguably one of the best F1 drivers ever. “He’s probably the best reference in formula one,” Vandoorne agrees. “I have a good […]
Sao Paulo mayor plays down F1 violence
Nov.13 (GMM) Sao Paulo mayor Joao Doria has played down the violence that marred this year’s Brazilian grand prix. After robbery attacks on Mercedes, Williams and FIA staff earlier at Interlagos as team staff travelled to and from the circuit, the next victim late on Sunday were members of Sauber. “As we came to the […]
2018 Hartley deal not set in stone
Nov.13 (GMM) A 2018 deal to race for Toro Rosso is not yet set in stone for Brendon Hartley. One media source reported from Brazil that while Pierre Gasly is definitely set to drive for the junior Red Bull team next year, a similar deal for New Zealander and sports car champion Hartley is not […]
Violence no threat to Brazil GP future – Massa
Nov.12 (GMM) The latest violent incidents involving F1 personnel is evidence Brazil “needs to evolve”. That is the view of retiring Brazilian veteran Felipe Massa, after it emerged that robberies involving guns affected Mercedes, Williams and FIA staff as they travelled from the Interlagos circuit to hotels in sprawling Sao Paulo. On social media, world […]
Kubica set for post-Abu Dhabi Williams test
Nov.12 (GMM) Robert Kubica looks set to get yet another chance to prove himself at the wheel of a formula one car. The Pole is a leading candidate to return to the grid next year with Williams, six years after almost severing his forearm in a rallying crash. Kubica, 32, has had multiple opportunities to […]
Red Bull tries to calm Toro Rosso-Renault row
Nov.12 (GMM) Red Bull has stepped in to calm a spiralling dispute between its junior F1 team Toro Rosso and mutual engine supplier Renault. Franz Tost reacted furiously in Brazil when his Renault counterpart Cyril Abiteboul suggested Toro Rosso’s spate of reliability problems was “not a coincidence”. In a furious statement, Toro Rosso reacted by […]
F1 boss plays down Ferrari quit threat
Nov.11 (GMM) New supremo Chase Carey has played down the tension between the sport’s owners Liberty Media and F1’s most famous team Ferrari. With Liberty wanting a different engine formula and also a budget cap for 2021, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne responded by threatening to quit if the sport’s new owners overly denigrate F1. But […]
Baku only major driver mistake – Vettel
Nov.11 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel says his biggest mistake during his failed 2017 title bid was Baku. His rival Lewis Hamilton wrapped up the championship two weeks ago in Mexico, and Ferrari’s Vettel admits it was “very” disappointing. But he told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “It’s already time to turn the page. “There are still two […]
Zandvoort to press ahead with Dutch GP bid
Nov.11 (GMM) Zandvoort is a viable host of a relaunched Dutch grand prix. That is the claim of the source Dutch News, reporting that there are “no insurmountable organisational, technical or logistical reasons” why F1 cannot race again at the former Dutch GP venue. Amid claims the Netherlands wants to capitalise on Max Verstappen’s meteoric […]
Alonso poised to announce 2018 Le Mans foray
Nov.11 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has refused to deny reports he will definitely contest the fabled Le Mans 24 hour race next year. With an eye on motor racing’s famous ‘triple crown’, the Spaniard tackled the Indy 500 this year and is rumoured to have visited top Le Mans team Toyota’s Cologne headquarters last week. It […]
Rosberg doubts Vettel can win 2018 title
Nov.11 (GMM) Nico Rosberg does not think Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari are ready to topple Mercedes in F1. The two top teams battled for the title this year, but ultimately Lewis Hamilton won the championship with two races to spare. And outgoing world champion Rosberg told the German source T-Online: “I do not think Vettel […]
Hugo Boss leaving F1 for Formula E
Nov.11 (GMM) Fashion brand and long-time F1 sponsor Hugo Boss is leaving the category. The German newsmagazine Focus reports that the German company, having sponsored McLaren and most recently Mercedes for decades, is switching instead to Formula E. “Of course F1 is the pinnacle of racing,” said new CEO Mark Langer, “but Formula E is […]
Williams not rushing to announce driver
Nov.11 (GMM) Williams is not close to ending the wait over the identity of its second driver for 2018. Lance Stroll’s place is set in stone, but there are several contenders to replace the re-retiring Felipe Massa. The Swiss newspaper Blick reports that the favourites now are Robert Kubica and Toro Rosso refugee Daniil Kvyat, […]
Points in last two races to cost Force India money
Nov.11 (GMM) Force India is in the odd position of not particularly wanting to do well in Brazil and Abu Dhabi. The Silverstone based team has admirably wrapped up fourth place in the constructors’ world championship with two races to spare. And given the fact Force India has among the smallest budgets in the sport, […]
Toro Rosso may miss Abu Dhabi – report
Nov.11 (GMM) Toro Rosso may have to sit out the 2017 finale in Abu Dhabi. Germany’s Auto Motor und Sports reports that as the second Red Bull team hits regular problems with its Renault-supplied MGU-H unit, the French manufacturer is almost out of spare parts. “Toro Rosso looks like a spare parts store for vintage […]
Bottas not ruling out Hamilton ‘team orders’
Nov.10 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas is targeting second place behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton in the 2017 world championship. Sebastian Vettel was gutted in Mexico to have lost the title to Hamilton, but now it is the other Mercedes driver who is aiming to beat him in Brazil and Abu Dhabi. “Yes, it is possible,” the […]