Aug.7 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has denied that Max Verstappen vetoed Red Bull’s top driver choice for 2019. Red Bull is considering which driver should replace the Renault-bound Daniel Ricciardo next year. At the top of the shortlist are Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly, but reports have suggested Dutchman Verstappen vetoed Sainz after their time […]
Renault had to sign Ricciardo – Abiteboul
Aug.7 (GMM) Renault had to jump at the chance to sign Daniel Ricciardo. That is the view of the French team’s boss Cyril Abiteboul, after it was announced that Australian Ricciardo is switching for 2019 from Red Bull. Abiteboul admitted that Esteban Ocon had been “on the short list” but it “did not work out”. […]
Shareholder Ojjeh leaves McLaren roles
Aug.7 (GMM) Long time shareholder Mansour Ojjeh has stepped down as a director of McLaren. In a story that was later deleted, the Independent newspaper had reported that Ojjeh left the roles in late July. McLaren’s team boss Eric Boullier also stepped down recently, amid rumours of disgruntled staff and a bad 2018 season for […]
Giovinazzi keeping eye on Sauber seat
Aug.6 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi admits he has an eye on a Sauber seat for 2019. Ferrari’s other protege, Charles Leclerc, is linked with a move to the Maranello team for next year. That would open up a place at Sauber for Italian Giovinazzi. The 24-year-old tested both the Ferrari and Sauber cars in the post-Hungary […]
Haas to consider Grosjean seat ‘after summer’
Aug.6 (GMM) Haas is still giving little away about the future of Romain Grosjean. It is believed Kevin Magnussen, at least, has done enough to stay with the American team for 2019. Boss Gunther Steiner admits Haas has done a better job than McLaren and Renault of creating an environment for the Dane to thrive […]
Renault concerned about F1 ‘super teams’
Aug.6 (GMM) Paddy Lowe has admitted Williams could start using Mercedes’ gearbox and rear suspension in 2019. It comes as the rise of ‘super teams’ with satellite outfits becomes ever more commonplace in F1. Ferrari has Haas and Sauber, Red Bull and Honda have Toro Rosso, Renault is tipped to move closer to McLaren, and […]
Renault’s Hulkenberg backs Ricciardo signing
Aug.6 (GMM) The hiring of Daniel Ricciardo demonstrates the seriousness of Renault’s ambitions. That is the view of Ricciardo’s new Renault teammate for 2019, Nico Hulkenberg. News that Ricciardo will leave Red Bull at the end of the year shocked the F1 world late last week, and even caught the energy drink-owned team by surprise. […]
Carey hopes Mick Schumacher enters F1
Aug.6 (GMM) F1 boss Chase Carey says he hopes Michael Schumacher’s son makes it to formula one. Mick Schumacher, 19, is in his second season of European F3. He is currently placed eighth overall, having won the most recent race at Spa. Asked if it would be good if Schumacher makes it all the way […]
Indycar move possible for Alonso – Brown
Aug.6 (GMM) Zak Brown has admitted it is possible Fernando Alonso will leave McLaren and F1 for the Indycar series in 2019. Brown, the McLaren team boss, said the Spaniard is “very interested” in the American open wheel category. “He likes the series but hasn’t decided yet what he wants to do as it relates […]
No ‘blank cheque’ for Spain GP – minister
Aug.6 (GMM) The Catalan government is not willing to pay just “any price” to keep the Spanish grand prix. Minister of enterprise Angels Chacon says Barcelona wants to keep the race beyond 2019, as negotiations with Liberty Media continue. “The government is wanting to extend the contract, but obviously not at any price,” she told […]
Todt tells world to leave Schumacher alone
Aug.6 (GMM) Jean Todt has called for the world to leave F1 legend Michael Schumacher “in peace”. The condition of the seven time world champion is basically unknown, after he sustained brain injuries in a late 2013 skiing fall. FIA president Todt, who was Schumacher’s Ferrari team boss and is still a close family friend, […]
Doctor ‘satisfied’ with Lauda condition
Aug.6 (GMM) Niki Lauda looks to be on the road to recovery. The F1 world was in shock last week when it emerged that the Mercedes team chairman had a lung transplant and was in a coma. But his doctor, Dr Walter Klepetko, told Bild newspaper that the 69-year-old F1 legend is now awake, in […]
Family not commenting on Lauda transplant news
Aug.3 (GMM) Niki Lauda’s family is not commenting on reports the F1 legend is in a critical condition after a lung transplant. We reported earlier that the Mercedes team chairman skipped the last two grands prix with a serious flu that left him in intensive care. But the Vienna hospital that treated him has now […]
Officials play down Malaysia night race rumours
Aug.3 (GMM) Reports that Malaysia could return to the F1 calendar with a night race have been played down by officials. This week, the former Malaysian grand prix circuit at Sepang near Kuala Lumpur launched a floodlighting system. It has been suggested the venue could be making a new bid to return to the F1 […]
Tost happy McLaren’s Honda project failed
Aug.3 (GMM) Franz Tost says he is happy McLaren’s collaboration with Honda did not work out. The Austrian is the boss at Toro Rosso, the junior Red Bull team. Next year, the senior outfit Red Bull Racing will also be powered by works Honda engines. “Our collaboration with Honda is fantastic,” Tost told Marca sports […]
Ricciardo says 2019 announcement due soon
Aug.2 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says his Red Bull contract is finally ready to be announced. Having flirted with Mercedes and Ferrari, it was expected that Ricciardo’s extended Red Bull deal could be made official last weekend in Hungary. “A little tweaking is needed here and there, but everything is fine,” the Australian said at the […]
Raikkonen still waiting on Ferrari decision
Aug.2 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he is still waiting to know if he will be a Ferrari driver in 2019. Not long ago, an Italian newspaper reported confidently that the Finn will be replaced by Charles Leclerc. But then president Sergio Marchionne died, and it is believed the new management now thinks Raikkonen should be […]
2019 ‘interim year’ for Red Bull-Honda – Horner
Aug.2 (GMM) Christian Horner has played down expectations for Red Bull’s first year with works Honda power. One of F1’s top three teams, the energy drink owned outfit will start using Japanese-made engines from 2019. But boss Horner told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I certainly expect that the first year will be an interim year […]
Villeneuve plays down ‘Jesus Christ’ comparison
Aug.2 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve has played down quotes that suggested he thinks Lewis Hamilton behaves like Jesus Christ. The quotes spread like wildfire on the internet, but outspoken 1997 world champion Villeneuve says they were taken out of context. “I never made this statement in an interview with a media outlet,” he told Le Journal […]
Ferrari’s talks with Liberty still on – Camilleri
Aug.2 (GMM) Ferrari’s new CEO says talks about the future with Liberty Media are progressing. Louis Camilleri has replaced Sergio Marchionne, who died last week of cancer. Marchionne is believed to have been locked in complex talks with F1 owner Liberty Media, after threatening to quit the sport over the commercial arrangements beyond 2020. “There […]