Oct.24 (GMM) Carlos Sainz received widespread praise for his impressive Renault debut in Austin. As he switched from Toro Rosso to start his new works Renault adventure early, the Spaniard outperformed his experienced teammate Nico Hulkenberg in the US. “His first weekend with Renault was almost perfect. Fast and aggressive,” said the French sports daily […]
Verstappen in trouble for calling steward ‘idiot’
Oct.24 (GMM) Max Verstappen could be in trouble for insulting an FIA steward. A controversy erupted when the Dutchman was penalised for his exciting last-lap pass on Kimi Raikkonen for the Austin podium. The Red Bull driver’s father Jos was particularly furious, declaring on Twitter that the FIA should stand for ‘Ferrari International Assistance’. But […]
F1 could scrap ‘two by two’ race grid
Oct.24 (GMM) F1 owner Liberty is considering shaking up the sport’s traditional weekend format. In Austin, the pre-race proceedings were suddenly changed when the pitlane was opened earlier to allow legendary announcer Michael Buffer to introduce the drivers in Indy 500 style. Not just that, Usain Bolt spiced up the waving of the green flag. […]
Marchionne tips 2021 engine rules ‘quarrels’
Oct.23 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne says he will not sacrifice “Ferrari DNA” in the next round of talks about the 2021 engine rules. Red Bull’s re-signing of Max Verstappen has many paddock insiders wondering what the energy drink-owned team knows about the next set of engine rules. With costs out of control and Mercedes and Ferrari […]
Marchionne plays down Arrivabene axe reports
Oct.23 (GMM) Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has played down speculation team boss Maurizio Arrivabene could soon be ousted. Reports have suggested Arrivabene will take the blame for the Maranello team’s collapsed 2017 title chances, with technical boss Mattia Binotto to succeed him. But president Marchionne said in Austin: “We have improved as a team with […]
Ferrari ‘easy to beat’ when emotional – Lauda
Oct.23 (GMM) Ferrari is “easy to beat” when emotions are running high at the Italian team. That is the view of Niki Lauda, a former Ferrari driver who is now the team chairman at the Maranello marque’s arch-rival Mercedes. Despite an earlier strong challenge, Sebastian Vettel’s 2017 title campaign fell apart recently amid car failures, […]
Kvyat yet to discuss future with Marko
Oct.23 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he still has not sat down to discuss his future in F1 with Dr Helmut Marko. Earlier, amid great uncertainty about what comes next for the embattled Russian, Kvyat said he has been promised a meeting with Red Bull kingpin Marko. Then on Sunday, Kvyat said he was delighted with […]
Lauda to seek out Whiting after Verstappen penalty
Oct.23 (GMM) Niki Lauda says he will speak to F1 race director Charlie Whiting after Max Verstappen’s controversial expulsion from the podium in Austin. The Red Bull driver was only told while he was in the post-race preparation room on Sunday that Kimi Raikkonen would be taking the final podium step instead. Stewards had given […]
Wehrlein set to lose Mercedes backing
Oct.23 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein could be set to lose the backing of Mercedes. Recently, with the driver’s job at Sauber in doubt for 2018, Mercedes’ Toto Wolff said he had recommended to Williams that Wehrlein should be considered for the seat oppose Lance Stroll. But if Sauber and Williams say no, that could be the […]
Arrivabene axe reports ‘not true’
Oct.22 (GMM) Reports Ferrari is set to dump its team boss Maurizio Arrivabene may be premature. Earlier, international reports suggested the German F1 broadcaster Sky had declared that, given the collapse of Sebastian Vettel’s title campaign in Asia, Arrivabene would be replaced by technical boss Mattia Binotto. But Sky’s Sascha Roos insisted: “That is not […]
McLaren considers orange livery for 2018
Oct.22 (GMM) McLaren is not ruling out a switch to a full orange livery for 2018. Prior to this season, there was speculation the British team would revert to its traditional colour – papaya orange – this year. But although Fernando Alonso used a full orange livery when he did the Indy 500 in May, […]
Kvyat looks ahead to meeting with Marko
Oct.22 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat has hinted he would prefer to leave formula one if his new role is to be race-by-race. The Russian was recently replaced at Toro Rosso by Pierre Gasly, and only returned for the US grand prix this weekend so Gasly could do the Super Formula finale in Japan. Now there are […]
Alonso not surprised with Sainz pace
Oct.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he is “not surprised” his countryman and friend Carlos Sainz is straight on the pace at Renault. Sainz switched from Toro Rosso to the French works team after the Japanese grand prix, and on his first attempt outqualified his new teammate Nico Hulkenberg on Saturday. In fact, Sainz is one […]
Hamilton ‘on Schumacher and Senna level’ – Massa
Oct.22 (GMM) Felipe Massa thinks Lewis Hamilton will fully deserve his place among the true F1 greats if he wins a fourth world championship. Although he starts Sunday’s US grand prix from pole, Mercedes’ Hamilton thinks it’s “unlikely” another win will be enough to wrap up the title with a full three races to go. […]
Ricciardo eyes Mercedes move for 2019
Oct.22 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo could be headed to Mercedes for 2019. It is believed one of the reasons Red Bull was so keen to extend Max Verstappen’s deal through 2020 is that Ricciardo is – in Helmut Marko’s words – “on the market” for a new team after his current contract expires late next year. […]
Binotto to replace Arrivabene as Ferrari boss – report
Oct.21 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene looks set to be the victim of Ferrari’s terrible end to its 2017 championship challenge. After consecutive car failures, Sebastian Vettel arrived in Austin needing a clean sweep of wins until the Abu Dhabi finale next month to stand a chance of beating Lewis Hamilton. But his US grand prix weekend […]
Hartley in running for 2018 seat – Marko
Oct.21 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has admitted for the first time that Brendon Hartley is in the running for a 2018 seat at Toro Rosso. Officially, the New Zealander, Le Mans winner and works Porsche driver is simply filling in this weekend for Pierre Gasly, who is in Japan fighting for the Super Formula title. […]
No talks with other teams – Massa
Oct.21 (GMM) Felipe Massa has admitted that if Williams ousts him, he will leave formula one completely. Although Williams has been testing Robert Kubica and Paul di Resta, and is reportedly also considering Pascal Wehrlein for 2018, 36-year-old Massa says he wants to stay. Asked about the recent Kubica-di Resta shootout test, Massa told the […]
Engine plans key to Verstappen deal – Marko
Oct.21 (GMM) Max Verstappen has not denied that his new Red Bull contract includes higher pay. Amid obvious interest from Mercedes and Ferrari, the energy drink company announced in Austin that the 20-year-old is staying put until 2020. Asked how many cans Red Bull will need to sell to pay him, team boss Christian Horner […]
Red Bull wants Ricciardo for 2019 and 2020
Oct.21 (GMM) Red Bull has now set its sights on extending Daniel Ricciardo’s contract. In Austin, although it was believed the Dutchman was already under contract until 2019, Red Bull announced that Max Verstappen is staying put until 2020. Earlier, both drivers had hinted they might leave Red Bull given the team’s slow start to […]