Aug.2 (GMM) Lando Norris says it is up to McLaren to decide if he will make his F1 debut in 2019. The 18-year-old Briton is fighting for this year’s Formula 2 championship, but linked with a seat at McLaren for next year. “Ideally, I’ll be with McLaren next year,” Marca sports newspaper quotes Norris, a […]
Lauda left intensive care after flu
Aug.2 (GMM) F1 legend Niki Lauda is currently in hospital. The Mercedes team chairman missed the past two grands prix, amid reports he has the flu. Actually, his condition was more serious than that. Osterreich newspaper reports that the 69-year-old has actually been in hospital for 12 days, having flown himself in his private jet […]
Too early to assess 2019 wing – Kubica
Aug.2 (GMM) Robert Kubica says it’s too early to assess the effectiveness of the new front wings for 2019. Several teams, including Williams, were running 2019-spec front wing designs at the post-Hungarian grand prix test this week. The wings are designed to help boost overtaking from next year. “It’s wider and you can feel that,” […]
Renault worried about F1 ‘B teams’
Aug.2 (GMM) Renault is worried about the rise of ‘B teams’ in formula one. We reported that Williams, McLaren and Renault are opposing the straightforward transfer of income and rights to Force India’s next owners. In the case of Renault, it appears boss Cyril Abiteboul is concerned that Force India will become a Mercedes ‘B […]
Renault hits back at Red Bull fury
Aug.1 (GMM) Any niceties between Red Bull and Renault are now in the past. The two parties are splitting at the end of the year, with Red Bull moving to works Honda power. But tempers are fraying, as team boss Christian Horner and driver Max Verstappen unloaded fury on Renault following another technical problem in […]
De la Rosa warns against McLaren move for Sainz
Aug.1 (GMM) Pedro de la Rosa is not sure an all-Spanish driver lineup at McLaren next year would be a “dream”. Carlos Sainz is being linked with the seat alongside his friend and countryman Fernando Alonso at McLaren for 2019. Some in Spain might consider it a dream team, but former F1 driver de la […]
Vandoorne plays down Spa axe rumours
Jul.13 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne says he is “very confident” he will still be a McLaren driver in four weeks’ time. In Hungary, a rumour did the rounds that the British team will oust Vandoorne ahead of his home race at Spa-Francorchamps, replacing him with Lando Norris. Asked if that is a possibility, La Derniere Heure […]
Three teams thwarting Force India sale
Jul.31 (GMM) Three teams reportedly look set to make the sale and rescue of Force India more difficult. The Silverstone based team has been placed into administration, but there are several potential buyers. However, all teams must agree if the new owners get access to all of the rights of Force India, including millions in […]
Sirotkin ‘calm’ about F1 future
Jul.31 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin says he is not worried about his future. That is despite the fact that, in his rookie season, the Russian is dead last with the slowest car in the field. Sirotkin admits that, at least initially this year, he and Williams were “shocked” with the car’s performance. But he says if […]
Winter testing in Bahrain not likely – Lowe
Jul.30 (GMM) Plans to move winter testing for 2019 to Bahrain appear to have been derailed. We reported recently that, after the new track surface and freezing temperatures in Barcelona badly affected the 2018 pre-season, moves were afoot to transfer the winter running next year to Bahrain. Liberty Media was reportedly even on board to […]
Vandoorne axe within 2018 ‘unlikely’ – Brown
Jul.30 (GMM) The driver ‘silly season’ is racing on. In Hungary, rumours continued to gain strength that Carlos Sainz will be ousted by Renault, and replaced for 2019 by Esteban Ocon. Boss Cyril Abiteboul says a decision will be announced “after the break”. “We have not signed anything or committed ourselves to anyone,” he told […]
Bottas plays down Wolff’s ‘wingman’ comment
Jul.30 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas his hit reverse gear after reacting angrily to the suggestion he is Lewis Hamilton’s ‘wingman’. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff used the ‘wingman’ description while praising the Finnish driver for finishing second behind Lewis Hamilton in Hungary. “First, wingman is wrong,” Bottas told the Finnish broadcaster MTV. “Secondly, I don’t see the […]
Brown not sure when James Key will start work
Jul.30 (GMM) Zak Brown says he does not know when James Key will start work as McLaren’s new technical director. Toro Rosso owner Red Bull says it will not let the British engineer go, declaring that he has a long-term contract. It is believed Key’s current contract runs until 2020. “We do not have a […]
Verstappen slams ‘sh-t’ Renault engine
Jul.30 (GMM) Max Verstappen has lashed out at Renault. In Hungary, the Dutchman was the latest to suffer due to a reliability problem with his Renault power unit. For 2019, Red Bull is switching to Honda. “We pay millions for this engine. But what we get is just sh-t,” Verstappen told Bild newspaper, following his […]
Wolff looks ahead to Force India buyer
Jul.30 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he is watching the situation at Force India very closely. With Mercedes, Sergio Perez and sponsor BWT all owed money, the Silverstone based team has been placed into administration. But there are buyers. “Let’s see who shows interest,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said in Hungary. Wolff is following the situation […]
Stoddart backs Liberty to improve F1
Jul.29 (GMM) Former Minardi boss Paul Stoddart says he hopes formula one can up its game for 2021. Over a decade ago, the Australian owned and ran a small backmarker team, and he says even then there were efforts to bring the costs down. “Then in 2010 there was still talk of a budget cap […]
Vasseur plays down Vandoorne rumour
Jul.29 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur has played down rumours linking Stoffel Vandoorne with Sauber. The latest ‘silly season’ rumour in Hungary is that Kimi Raikkonen’s closeness to new Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri could have saved the Finn’s cockpit for 2019. Now, Charles Leclerc could instead be leaving Sauber to join the stronger Ferrari-powered team Haas. Ousted […]
Force India racing on amid administration
Jul.29 (GMM) Force India is racing ahead in Hungary, even though it has been placed into financial administration. The news from a London court arrived in Hungary that action taken by Sergio Perez, Mercedes and sponsor BWT had meant the F1 team is now being run by FRP Advisory. “The team will continue to operate […]
FIA has ‘no concerns’ about Ferrari engine
Jul.29 (GMM) Charlie Whiting says the FIA has “no concerns” about Ferrari’s power unit. After years of Mercedes dominance in the ‘power unit’ era, it is now widely agreed that Ferrari is clearly ahead with controversial technology in the hybrid area. But Kleine Zeitung quoted F1 race director Whiting as saying “There are no concerns […]
New deal for Ricciardo still delayed
Jul.28 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo is still not ready to announce his new Red Bull contract. Despite flirtations with Ferrari and Mercedes, it is now clear that the Australian is staying with the energy drink owned team. But negotiations have been tough, not just on the financial side but also coming up with the contract term. […]