Aug.22 (GMM) F1 commercial boss Sean Bratches wants Fernando Alonso to remain in the sport as an ambassador. The two-time champion is quitting at the end of the year, declaring that “When the talking is more about politics and bad radio messages, I think there are other things that give me more action and happiness”. […]
Ferrari to announce Raikkonen for 2019 – report
Aug.22 (GMM) Ferrari is poised to announce the identity of Sebastian Vettel’s teammate for 2019. Although Charles Leclerc was favourite prior to the death of president Sergio Marchionne, Corriere della Sera now says Kimi Raikkonen is definitely staying. The report says the news will be announced either at Spa or next weekend at Monza. Corriere […]
Company questions Force India takeover
Aug.22 (GMM) Force India’s takeover by the Lawrence Stroll-led consortium could have hit a road bump. A company called Uralkali, headed by Russian Dmitry Mazepin whose son is a Force India test driver, is questioning the Stroll takeover. Uralkali claims it put together a “competitive bid” for the team, but says the conditions placed upon […]
Red Bull set to decide Gasly replacement
Aug.22 (GMM) Red Bull is poised to decide Pierre Gasly’s 2019 replacement at Toro Rosso in the coming days. Frenchman Gasly has been promoted to the senior team to replace Daniel Ricciardo. “It’s only his second season so he lacks experience,” Dr Helmut Marko told Servus TV. “But he will not be far from Max […]
Ricciardo’s Renault move ‘strange’ – Marko
Aug.22 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says Daniel Ricciardo’s decision to quit Red Bull was “very strange”. Australian Ricciardo caught Marko as well as the rest of the F1 world by surprise when he announced he is joining Renault for 2019. “It’s a very strange story,” Marko told Servus TV. “On Wednesday before Austria, we agreed. […]
Perez says rescued Force India ‘best option’
Aug.22 (GMM) Force India has only slipped in 2018 because of its financial problems. That is the claim of Sergio Perez, who is giving strong hints that notwithstanding the takeover by a Lawrence Stroll-led consortium, he intends to stay in 2019. “If Force India is in good hands, then I would like to stay,” the […]
‘No doubt’ Vandoorne keeping 2018 seat – manager
Aug.21 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne’s manager has dismissed speculation the Belgian is set to be ousted by McLaren. Amid rumours the British team wants to sign Lando Norris to be Carlos Sainz’s teammate next year, it is whispered that Vandoorne could be ousted as soon as the forthcoming grands prix in 2018. However, McLaren has confirmed […]
Sainz denies Verstappen ‘vetoed’ Red Bull move
Aug.21 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has denied that his former teammate Max Verstappen vetoed his potential move to Red Bull for 2019. Red Bull has signed up Pierre Gasly to replace Daniel Ricciardo, even though Spaniard Sainz – on loan to Renault this year – was initially the clear favourite. Some suggested Dutchman Verstappen vetoed Sainz’s […]
Alonso did not cause problems – Fisichella
Aug.21 (GMM) Giancarlo Fisichella says it is not true that Fernando Alonso causes problems inside every F1 team. With Alonso retiring at the end of the year, some say the Spaniard has in fact burned every bridge due to his uncompromising attitude, comments and tactics. But Italian Fisichella, who was Alonso’s teammate for his 2005 […]
More ‘pain’ before Williams gain – Lowe
Aug.21 (GMM) Paddy Lowe says Williams must endure more “pain” before solving its problems. The once-great team now has the slowest car in F1, with technical boss and shareholder Lowe declaring to Auto Motor und Sport that a new front wing has helped slightly. “But as you start digging, you find more and more problems. […]
Marko relationship better now – Gasly
Aug.21 (GMM) His relationship with Dr Helmut Marko all patched up, Pierre Gasly is now headed for the F1 big-time. The 22-year-old Frenchman has been signed up to replace Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull Racing. Just a couple of years ago, Red Bull F1 overlord Marko delayed Gasly’s Toro Rosso debut, arguing he “could have […]
Alonso backs Sainz’s McLaren move
Aug.20 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has backed McLaren’s choice of replacement for him. With the Spaniard deciding to quit F1 at the end of the year, McLaren has signed up his friend, protege and countryman Carlos Sainz to replace him from 2019. Sainz was linked both to Renault and Red Bull for 2019 but he told […]
Ticktum not denying Toro Rosso rumour
Aug.20 (GMM) Dan Ticktum has given a strong hint that he might be about to make his move into formula one. In July, Red Bull wanted the 19-year-old F3 driver to replace Brendon Hartley at Toro Rosso. But FIA rules meant Ticktum couldn’t get the super license even to test for the Italian team after […]
Perez rejected Renault move
Aug.20 (GMM) Sergio Perez says he rejected an offer to join Renault. Renault will line up with Daniel Ricciardo alongside Nico Hulkenberg next year, but Mexican Perez says he could have already been with the French team. “When you have no chance at Ferrari or Mercedes, I think Force India is a very interesting option,” […]
‘Chaos’ stopped more Alonso success – Piquet
Aug.20 (GMM) The “chaos” brought by Fernando Alonso means the Spaniard was not able to reach his full potential in F1. That is the claim of Nelson Piquet, a triple world champion who says two-time title winner Alonso should have achieved more before his retirement later this year. “Fernando could have won five championships but […]
Escaping F1 news in summer impossible – Bottas
Aug.20 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says escaping the F1 news has been impossible during the August break. The Finn competed in his own duathlon event at the weekend, and was asked by the Finnish press about the big news that has been breaking in recent days. “I was not going to follow the news but it’s […]
Doctors in ‘good spirits’ about Lauda
Aug.20 (GMM) Niki Lauda is making progress as he continues to recover from a lung transplant. The F1 legend missed the last two grands prix before the August break, and is still recovering in intensive care in Vienna. “There are days when he feels better and talks very well, and there are worse days too,” […]
New Perez deal due in ‘days’ – insider
Aug.17 (GMM) F1 may be in its summer ‘shutdown’, but the rumour mill is still in overdrive. It has been helped along with Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso’s announcements, with the next dominos now set to fall. One of them is Sergio Perez, who will stay at Force India under new ownership. “I […]
Alonso not ruling out future F1 return
Aug.17 (GMM) Although sitting out 2019, Fernando Alonso says he is not ruling out a return to formula one in the future. “Why close doors?” the Spaniard said at Silverstone after announcing his decision to quit F1. Alonso, having won Le Mans this year, is racing again for Toyota this weekend. It is rumoured he […]
Raikkonen rules out Rosberg-like role
Aug.17 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he cannot understand why Nico Rosberg retired as world champion after 2016. This week, the Finn launched the initial Finnish edition of his autobiography, which translates as ‘The Unknown Kimi Raikkonen’. He said that when he eventually retires from F1, staying away from the paddock will not be difficult. “No […]