Nov.10 (GMM) Force India has lifted the standing team orders preventing Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon from going wheel-to-wheel in races. Earlier this year, the Silverstone based team imposed the racing ban on its warring drivers after a spate of collisions. “Here and also in Abu Dhabi we are free to race without team orders,” […]
Red Bull ‘pretty clear’ about engine future
Nov.10 (GMM) Red Bull may already know what engine it will use in 2019. Earlier in 2017, Max Verstappen was highly critical of the energy drink team and especially its struggling engine supplier Renault. But although Red Bull will still have Renault power next year, the Dutchman has signed on for the 2018, 2019 and […]
Champion Hamilton caught cold after title win
Nov.10 (GMM) After wrapping up his fourth title two weeks ago, Lewis Hamilton has emerged in Brazil with a cold. Sounding gruff, the Mercedes driver revealed that to celebrate his achievement, he took a group of friends to Peru where they climbed the iconic Machu Picchu. “We landed and it was miserable,” he said. “We […]
Wehrlein admits Williams ‘only option’ for 2018
Nov.10 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein has admitted Williams is his last hope of staying on the F1 grid for 2018. The German does not deny reports that the Swiss team Sauber has decided to oust him after the Abu Dhabi finale. “I think my sporting performance now has no effect,” Wehrlein, 23, said. “The races here […]
Family friend says Schumacher ‘doing well’
Nov.10 (GMM) There is still hope Michael Schumacher might one day return to a normal life. In recent months and years, almost no official information has emerged about the health of the F1 legend, who sustained brain injuries in a 2013 skiing fall. Now, Bunte magazine in Germany said the Schumacher family still has hope. […]
Alonso not denying Le Mans test reports
Nov.10 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is not denying speculation he is on a fast track to next year’s Le Mans. Reports this week suggested the continuing McLaren driver visited Le Mans team Toyota’s Cologne headquarters for a seat fitting. The latest rumour is that Alonso will test the LMP1 car in Bahrain next week. “I also […]
McLaren adapting 2018 car for Renault engine
Nov.9 (GMM) McLaren is reportedly working hard to adapt its 2018 car to the very different Renault engine. When the British team began the 2018 project, it might have expected to stay with Honda power beyond this year. Instead, after three years of struggling with its Japanese works partner, McLaren is moving from Honda to […]
Sainz fends off 2019 Red Bull switch rumours
Nov.9 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has batted away rumours his stay at Renault could be fleeting. The Spaniard has moved from the Red Bull family to the works Renault team, as part of the complex deal that sees Toro Rosso switch to Honda power for 2018. But Sainz, 23, is merely on ‘loan’, with Christian Horner […]
Giovinazzi not giving up on 2018 F1 ‘dream’
Nov.9 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi says he still has his eye on the big “dream” of racing in formula one for Ferrari. The Italian actually had a minor role in this year’s F1 season, replacing the injured Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber early on. “The year gave me more than I expected,” said the 23-year-old, who was […]
Hamilton just as good as Senna, Schumacher – Massa
Nov.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is just as much a legend of F1 as Ayrton Senna or Michael Schumacher. That is the view of Felipe Massa, who says countryman Senna was an idol and Schumacher the most important “teacher” in his career. And his 2008 title rival Hamilton, having just won his fourth drivers’ title, “lacks […]
Hamilton to keep sights on Vettel beyond 2017
Nov.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he will remain focused on beating Sebastian Vettel over the next few years in formula one. Many are talking about young sensation Max Verstappen joining the title battle next year, but new champion Hamilton expects his 2017 rival Vettel to remain strong. “Sebastian just signed for three more years with […]
Brawn, not Lauda, convinced Hamilton to make F1 switch
Nov.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has corrected the industry-standard story about how he decided to switch from McLaren to Mercedes some years ago. According to the paddock grapevine and also the F1 legend himself, it was Niki Lauda who joined Hamilton late at night in a hotel room to convince him to make the switch for […]
Hamilton determined to ride tax ‘storm’
Nov.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton insists the “storm” surrounding his tax affairs won’t derail his push for victory this weekend. Actually, the Mercedes driver wrapped up his fourth title two weeks ago in Mexico, but he says that doesn’t mean he is not targeting victory in Brazil. “The championship is done but there are still two […]
Berger’s nephew to secure F1 reserve role
Nov.8 (GMM) Gerhard Berger’s nephew looks set to secure a regular job in formula one. Earlier, top Mercedes-powered DTM driver Lucas Auer tested for the Force India team, as the two parties share a sponsor in the form of pink-coloured Austrian water company BWT. And now, Auto Bild reports that 23-year-old Auer – whose mother […]
Andretti admits eyeing F1 team entry
Nov.8 (GMM) Former F1 driver Michael Andretti has admitted he would like to re-enter the sport as a team owner. Last year, Fernando Alonso tackled the Indy 500 in a joint operation between McLaren and former team driver Andretti’s US based outfit Andretti Autosport. And now, amid speculation a budget cap could be coming in […]
Horner opposed to Friday practice axe
Nov.8 (GMM) Red Bull boss Christian Horner is not sure scrapping Friday practice is the right way forwards for formula one. Recently, we reported that as Liberty Media eyes pushing future calendars beyond the seam-bursting 20 or 21 races, one idea is to turn the format into a two-day weekend. “Obviously they’re trying to free […]
Massa set for ‘sabbatical’ year in 2018
Nov.8 (GMM) Felipe Massa says it is possible he will take a “sabbatical” next year before returning to motor racing in 2019. The Brazilian has announced that, having almost entered retirement this year, he will definitely stop racing in formula one at the end of 2017. “I wanted to go on for another year,” Massa, […]
Toyota not denying Alonso seat fitting
Nov.8 (GMM) Fernando Alonso looks to be shaping up for a Le Mans foray in 2018. This year, the Spaniard tackled the Indy 500, which along with Le Mans and the Monaco grand prix is part of his goal of winning the famed ‘triple crown’. It is already known that Alonso will race at Daytona […]
Four engine makers eyeing 2021 rules
Nov.8 (GMM) Up to four or more engine suppliers may be interested in joining F1 in 2021. Despite early opposition from Mercedes and Ferrari, the sport’s new owners intend to introduce a cheaper, louder and simpler engine formula after the current era ends in 2020. The BBC reports that Ilmor and Cosworth, two independent engine […]
Toro Rosso not worried about Honda switch
Nov.7 (GMM) Franz Tost says he is looking forward to Toro Rosso’s switch to works Honda power for 2018. McLaren has dumped the Japanese engine manufacturer after a failed three-year collaboration, switching instead to the customer Renault deal enjoyed currently by Toro Rosso. But Tost, the Toro Rosso team boss, says the Faenza based team […]