Jun.10 (GMM) Former F1 driver Roberto Merhi thinks McLaren’s engine supplier is making more progress than the British team so far in 2016. Honda had a woeful return to F1 last year but Spaniard Merhi, who raced last season for Manor, said he has been impressed with the steps forward taken in 2016. “In my […]
Heineken could boost Monza’s contract chances
Jun.10 (GMM) A swig of Heineken with an Italian twist could have boosted Monza’s chances of staying on the F1 calendar. Rumours the Dutch beer brewer would sponsor a team were wide of the mark, but it was announced on Thursday that F1’s new $200m sponsor will race into the sport at Monza in September […]
Kvyat denies need for psychologist
Jun.10 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat has played down suggestions he might benefit from employing a psychologist. Amid his own career turmoil a few years ago, Romain Grosjean turned to a sports psychologist for help and is now regarded as one of F1’s best drivers. “No,” Russian Kvyat said in Montreal when asked if he has thought […]
Le Mans winner not eyeing F1 switch
Jun.10 (GMM) A reigning winner of the fabled 24 hours of Le Mans says he is not keen on pushing for an opportunity to race in formula one. Last year, one of Nico Hulkenberg’s winning teammates at Le Mans for Porsche was Earl Bamber, a 25-year-old New Zealander who told Britain’s Sun newspaper that F1 […]
Verstappen denies feeling pressure after Monaco
Jun.10 (GMM) Max Verstappen has played down suggestions his crash to earth in Monaco a fortnight ago has ramped up the pressure of his recent move to Red Bull. After winning on his team debut in Barcelona, the 18-year-old Dutchman then had an awful weekend in Monaco with two high-profile crashes, just as teammate Daniel […]
Bottas quiet amid early driver ‘silly season’
Jun.10 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas is keeping quiet amid early rumblings that, as in 2015, he could play a role in this year’s driver movement ‘silly season’. Although he ultimately stayed at Williams, the Finn was linked last year with a move to Ferrari, the fabled Italian team that is once again surrounded by rumours it […]
Rosberg contract talks about Mercedes ‘strategy’
Jun.10 (GMM) The first sign of trouble in Nico Rosberg’s negotiations with Mercedes has emerged. Earlier, both the German outfit and the 2016 championship leader have indicated they are likely to continue working together beyond the expiry of Rosberg’s contract this year. It was thought any wrangling would be about Rosberg simply upping the value […]
Vettel has ‘nothing against’ Ricciardo as teammate
Jun.10 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel on Thursday said he would not mind being reunited in a team with Daniel Ricciardo. Australian Ricciardo, furious with Red Bull after bungled strategies in Barcelona and Monaco, has been linked with a move to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari. “It’s always nice if other teams show interest in you,” he […]
Too early to reveal 2017 driver plans – Arrivabene
Jun.10 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene has dropped yet another hint that Ferrari is seriously contemplating keeping Kimi Raikkonen in the team beyond 2016. Candidates including Daniel Ricciardo, Nico Rosberg and Romain Grosjean are reportedly eyeing the potential vacancy but boss Arrivabene thinks Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel is working well as the current Ferrari lineup. “I am […]
Red Bull brings short nose, new procedures to Canada
Jun.10 (GMM) A new, shorter nose is not the only change Red Bull has made ahead of the Canadian grand prix. The team has also brought some software and procedural changes to Montreal, in the wake of the bungled pitstop that cost Daniel Ricciardo victory in Monaco. The Australian was furious after Monaco but he […]
Four F1 drivers among Forbes’ 100 highest-paid athletes
Jun.9 (GMM) Forbes, the respected American business magazine, has named Lewis Hamilton the highest-earning driver in formula one. In its annual top 100 ranking of the world’s highest-paid sports stars, the reigning triple world champion came in 11th with $46 million earned through his contract with Mercedes, bonuses and endorsements. The list was dominated by […]
Alonso admits Ferrari has improved since 2014
Jun.9 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says his former team Ferrari has improved since 2014. The Spaniard left the fabled Maranello team for McLaren-Honda, declaring that he would rather build up a new project rather than finish second for more years. “Ferrari is better this year than last year,” he admitted to Germany’s Sport Bild. “The gap […]
Red Bull to stay ahead of Ferrari – Verstappen
Jun.9 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he is confident Red Bull will stay ahead of Ferrari for a third consecutive race this weekend in Canada. The teen Dutchman won in Barcelona and his teammate Daniel Ricciardo dominated almost all weekend in Monaco, despite Ferrari insisting it has not fallen behind Red Bull. “In speed we are […]
2017 ‘very important’ for Alonso, McLaren and F1
Jun.9 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says 2017 will be an “important year” for many reasons. We have already quoted the Spaniard this week as declaring that if he does not enjoy the faster and more aggressive next generation of cars in 2017, he may turn his attention to another challenge like winning Le Mans. “Next year […]
Grosjean admits to eyeing Raikkonen’s seat
Jun.9 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has admitted he would not turn down the chance to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari. When asked by Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport to rate his chances, the Frenchman grinned: “If I had my way, the chance would be 100 per cent.” Grosjean gave himself the very best shot by switching […]
‘Sober’ F1 no longer ‘excessive’ – Villeneuve
Jun.9 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve prefers the “excessive” F1 of the past, compared to today’s “sober” equivalent. “It’s not boring,” said the 1997 world champion, “but it’s not the same.” F1 has grown and evolved in the almost two decades since the French Canadian beat legend Michael Schumacher to the title, but the sport has found […]
Montreal ‘far from in decline’ – promoter
Jun.9 (GMM) Amid declining television and spectator numbers, Canada is one of F1’s exceptions. “As promoters, there are 21 different markets,” said Francois Dumontier, organiser of the popular annual Canadian grand prix in Montreal. “The reality in Sochi or Abu Dhabi is not the same as it is in Montreal,” he told La Presse ahead […]
Stroll says Bottas and Massa’s contracts expiring
Jun.9 (GMM) Lance Stroll has admitted to eyeing a potential vacancy at the Williams team for 2017. The 17-year-old, whose father is the Canadian fashion billionaire Lawrence Stroll, is already a development driver with the British F1 outfit. Stroll is also dominating this year’s European F3 championship for the top team Prema, but told La […]
Arrivabene hints Raikkonen to stay
Jun.8 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene has indicated Ferrari intends to keep Kimi Raikkonen at the team beyond 2016. The 36-year-old Finn’s contract is expiring, and names including Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo have been linked with the seat. Sebastian Vettel, however, publicly wants Raikkonen to stay. When asked to name the ideal teammate for German Vettel […]
Alonso to decide F1 future next year
Jun.8 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has admitted he is waiting to drive F1’s next-generation cars of 2017 before deciding if he wants to stay in the category. The Spaniard has made no secret that, after winning his titles in 2005 and 2006 with V10 and V8 power respectively, he enjoys the current ‘power unit’ and Pirelli-shod […]