Sep.18 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer’s father has confirmed the 26-year-old is eyeing a switch to Williams for 2018. Renault driver Palmer admitted Singapore was a difficult weekend, as he tackled not only the news he is being dropped by the team but also rumours he might be replaced by Carlos Sainz as soon as Malaysia in […]
Alonso-McLaren announcement due within days
Sep.17 (GMM) An announcement to confirm that Fernando Alonso is staying at McLaren next year is due within days. The Spaniard is believed to have pushed for the British team to dump Honda and sign up for 2018 with Renault, with whom he won his two titles over a decade ago. “We are close to […]
Pirelli making ‘softer than ultra-soft’ tyre for 2018
Sep.17 (GMM) Pirelli has committed to supplying softer tyres to F1 teams and drivers in 2018. Although the tyres are bigger this year to accommodate the much faster 2018 cars, there has been widespread criticism of the compounds — especially the hardest ones. “The hard tyre is so inappropriate for this generation of racing car […]
Porsche should enter F1 – Haug
Sep.17 (GMM) Norbert Haug has urged Porsche to enter formula one. Recently, with the famous VW-owned carmaker announcing its decision to quit Le Mans, Porsche has been linked with a 2021 F1 engine foray — and even a potential Red Bull buyout. “I can imagine that very well and from my point of view formula […]
Palmer read Renault axe story on internet
Sep.17 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer says he learned about losing his seat at Renault from the internet. “I knew it when I read it on the internet,” Speed Week quotes the Briton as saying. “So that’s a bit unfortunate and I don’t know who released that to the media, but honestly it doesn’t change the facts,” […]
Sauber, Williams light up 2018 ‘silly season’
Sep.17 (GMM) Robert Kubica still has a good chance of returning to formula one next year. With Carlos Sainz now joining Renault, the Pole – now backed by co-manager and reigning world champion Nico Rosberg – asked to be released from his agreement so he could pursue opportunities elsewhere in pitlane. His best chance appears […]
Force India to be ‘Force Racing’ in 2018
Sep.16 (GMM) Force India looks set to be known as ‘Force Racing’ from 2018. Earlier, as embattled owner Vijay Mallya considered dropping ‘India’ from the official name in a move to internationalise the team, the apparent frontrunner was ‘Force One’. But F1 owner Liberty Media intervened, according to Auto Motor und Sport. The report said […]
F1 regime change held up Singapore GP deal
Sep.16 (GMM) F1’s change of management held up talks for a new Singapore grand prix deal, minister S Iswaran said ahead of the city-state’s 2017 race. Before a new contract for 2018-2021 was announced on Friday, the Singapore night race – now one of F1’s blue-riband events – had mere provisional status on next year’s […]
T-wings banned for 2018 but shark fins staying
Sep.16 (GMM) The shark fins are staying, but F1 fans can wave goodbye to unseemly ‘T-wings’ in 2018. That is the news out of Singapore with regards to tweaks to the 2018 technical regulations. It had been rumoured that the ‘shark fins’ would go as well, but Auto Motor und Sport reports that the engine […]
Red Bull ‘a second faster’ in Singapore – Lauda
Sep.16 (GMM) Niki Lauda says he has his eye on Red Bull in Singapore. The world of F1 had touched down in Singapore expecting Ferrari to be the favourites on the tight and twisty floodlit streets. Lauda, the Mercedes team chairman, admitted the reigning world champions are somewhat struggling in Singapore. “We were a bit […]
Sainz-Renault switch for Malaysia ‘possible’ – Marko
Sep.16 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has admitted Carlos Sainz might start his new Renault adventure as soon as the next race in Malaysia. That is despite the fact the rumour was shot down by other senior personnel in Singapore. “I assume Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz will finish the season with us,” Toro Rosso chief […]
Alonso to probe Renault before making 2018 decision
Sep.16 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he will look into Renault’s plans for 2018 before deciding whether to stay at McLaren next year. Some believe the Spaniard actively pushed for the British team to dump Honda, and that he will therefore definitely now sign up for 2018. “You don’t do engine deals solely by listening to […]
Kvyat ‘not fearing’ Toro Rosso driver shakeup
Sep.16 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he is still waiting to hear if he will be kept on board at Toro Rosso for 2018. Earlier, the Russian said he would be patient while the Red Bull junior team sorted out the identity of its engine supplier for next year. So with the Honda deal now done, […]
Rosberg to help Kubica’s F1 comeback
Sep.16 (GMM) Retired reigning world champion Nico Rosberg has joined Robert Kubica’s management team. The German announced on Twitter that he is “excited to be working with Robert” on his “return to F1”. Rosberg was on the grid when the now 32-year-old Pole last raced in F1 in 2010, but since retiring has been open […]
Red Bull’s engine future unclear
Sep.16 (GMM) With McLaren and Toro Rosso all set up with respective engines for 2018, speculative attention is now turning to the 2019 season. Specifically, the rumour in Singapore is that Toro Rosso owner Red Bull will assess Honda’s performance at the junior team next year and potentially decide to switch to Japanese power for […]
Magnussen would jump at ‘top team’ chance
Sep.15 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says Haas would not stand in his way if a top team came knocking for him. After ill-fated adventures at McLaren and Renault, the Dane landed at the American team this season on a two-year contract. “But it’s clear that I would go to a top team if I got the […]
Perez ‘about to sign 2018 contract’
Sep.15 (GMM) While new deals for Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz are getting the headlines in Singapore, three other F1 drivers are also featuring prominently on the 2018 driver ‘silly season’. Bernie Ecclestone said this week that Fernando Alonso will definitely drive a Renault-powered McLaren next year, but the Spaniard himself is quiet. “I’m relaxed, […]
Wehrlein quiet on new 2018 Sauber seat rumours
Sep.15 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein is not commenting on reports he still has a shot at keeping his Sauber seat for 2018. Two weeks ago, the German sounded pessimistic about the future, as Sauber is set to take a Ferrari-backed driver next year. And his existing teammate, Marcus Ericsson, is closely aligned with Sauber’s new owners. […]
Bottas happy as Mercedes keeps ‘options open’
Sep.15 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he is comfortable with his new one-year Mercedes contract. The Finn was an eleventh-hour signing to replace Nico Rosberg this year, but has now been given yet another one-year deal amid rumours Mercedes wants Max Verstappen for 2019. “I understand that Mercedes keeps its options open,” Bottas said in Singapore. […]
Hulkenberg laughs at F1 record in Singapore
Sep.15 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg is set to take over an unenviable record in formula one. In Singapore, the German is set to beat countryman Adrian Sutil’s mantle as the driver with the most grand prix starts – 128 – without a single podium. “I have waited a long time and worked really hard to have […]