Jul.25 (GMM) Carlos Sainz is not yet out of the running to keep his Renault seat for 2019. What is known is that Nico Hulkenberg is staying with the French works team. “I am still pleased with my decision to join Renault,” the German told Auto Hebdo. “Of course, it will still take time. Will […]
2019 to begin with testing in Bahrain
Jul.25 (GMM) F1 will kick off the 2019 season with winter testing in Bahrain. That is the claim of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, revealing that the risk of bad weather in Spain is the reason for the decision. That risk has risen even more for 2019 because next season is slated to begin in […]
Italy slams Vettel after ‘devastating’ crash
Jul.24 (GMM) The Italian press has slammed Sebastian Vettel for throwing away the win at Hockemheim. The German driver was on the way to victory at his home circuit before sliding his Ferrari into the barrier in slippery conditions. “That was a dark moment in his career,” said 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg. “He had […]
Lawrence Stroll buys Force India – report
Aug.24 (GMM) Lance Stroll looks set to switch from ailing Williams to Force India in 2019. Not just that, his billionaire father and financier Lawrence Stroll has reportedly bought the Silverstone based team as well. Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport claims the day after the German grand prix was a crucial one for Force India, […]
Miami delay means Hockenheim talks back on
Jul.24 (GMM) A delay in Miami could have reignited Hockenheim’s chances of staying on the F1 calendar. It has now been confirmed that the 2019 schedule will not include an inaugural street race in Miami. “We have decided to postpone sign-off until later in the summer, with the aim of running the first Miami grand […]
Red Bull-Honda aiming for ‘very top’ – Mateschitz
Jul.23 (GMM) Dietrich Mateschitz thinks Red Bull can go to “the very top” with its new Honda engines for 2019. Notwithstanding the McLaren debacle, Honda developed a harmonious relationship with Toro Rosso this year, and now the senior Red Bull team is signing up. “In the last few years, we have been among the top […]
Kubica denies 2019 Haas talks
Jul.23 (GMM) Robert Kubica has denied reports he could be set to drive for Haas in 2019. Currently the Williams reserve, former BMW and Renault driver Kubica has also been linked with Force India for next year. “I do not read gossip,” the Pole told Eleven Sports at Hockenheim. “I have always preferred to do […]
Marchionne condition ‘irreversible’ – reports
Jul.23 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne is in a coma in intensive care, according to reports from Italy. Ansa news agency reports that, after the Italian-Canadian had to step down from Ferrari and Fiat amid a health crisis, Marchionne is now in what is described as an “irreversible” condition. Fiat Chrysler, the Ferrari parent, did not confirm […]
Last champ Villeneuve says Williams ‘dead’
Jul.23 (GMM) Poor management and unsuited drivers are at the core of Williams’ problems. That is the claim of Jacques Villeneuve, who in 1997 became the once-great British team’s last world champion. But now, Williams is struggling with F1’s slowest car. “The team is dead. There is no management,” Villeneuve told Russia’s Sport-Express. “They had […]
Wolff not accusing Ferrari of ‘illegal’ engine
Jul.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff has played down reports Ferrari’s 2018 power unit could be ‘illegal’. “We do not ask ourselves that,” said the Mercedes boss. At Hockenheim, with Ferrari clearly now leading in the horse power stakes, rumours swirled that a supposed trick with Ferrari’s turbocharger had some rivals suspicious. “It’s not our attitude,” Wolff […]
Wolff denies ‘team orders’ now in play
Jul.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff has denied that team orders will characterise the rest of Mercedes’ 2018 season. At Hockenheim, as Lewis Hamilton executed a stunning recovery to win from far down the grid, teammate Valtteri Bottas was asked during the race to hold station behind him. Asked if Bottas will be the number 2 for […]
Giovinazzi shapes up for Sauber seat
Jul.22 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi has emerged as the big favourite to drive for Sauber in 2019. The rumour stepped up a notch at Hockenheim, where he drove for the Swiss team in Friday practice. The Italian is a member of Ferrari’s driver academy. This year, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is at Sauber, but he is linked […]
F1 shocked as Ferrari president departs
Jul.22 (GMM) The F1 paddock at Hockenheim is shocked that Ferrari’s president Sergio Marchionne has suddenly departed the team and formula one. Sources and Fiat Chrysler said the Italian-Canadian was recovering from shoulder surgery when his condition “worsened significantly”. His current condition is unknown, but he is suddenly no longer the boss at both Ferrari […]
Alonso will leave F1 before 2021
Jul.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he will not be in formula one in 2021. At Hockenheim, the paddock is abuzz with news about the sport’s post-Concorde Agreement era, including the switch to low profile 18-inch tyres. “I don’t know and I don’t really care,” McLaren driver Alonso said. “I will not be here in 2021.” […]
McLaren admits interest in Sainz
Jul.22 (GMM) McLaren has admitted it considers Carlos Sainz as a potential team driver for 2019. Fernando Alonso’s current teammate, Stoffel Vandoorne, has been the slowest driver all weekend at Hockenheim. Alonso defended the Belgian. “I don’t think it should damage his reputation,” said the Spaniard. “It was the same at Silverstone — there is […]
Williams could be Mercedes ‘B team’
Jul.22 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted that Williams might be getting lined up as a Mercedes ‘B team’. Although the Grove team is resisting the move, Williams has the slowest car on the 2018 grid and could now lose main financer Lawrence Stroll to Force India. At the same time, thanks to its ties with […]
Ocon could switch to Renault in 2019
Jul.22 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has emerged as a serious contender to switch to Renault in 2019. It is believed he is the main candidate should Red Bull rescind its ‘loan’ to the French team of Carlos Sainz. Frenchman Ocon, who currently drives for Force India, is himself under contract to the Mercedes development programme. “I […]
Russia in F1 ‘grid girls’ talks
Jul.22 (GMM) Organisers of the Russian grand prix are considering ignoring F1’s ‘grid girls’ ban. The Sochi round takes place in September. Already this year, Monaco and Austria sidestepped Liberty Media’s controversial ‘grid girls’ ban by using attractive women for other roles. “We want them (grid girls) to be in,” Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry […]
Eyebrows raise as Ferrari engine races ahead
Jul.22 (GMM) Mercedes has admitted it is falling clearly behind Ferrari in engine power. Lewis Hamilton’s main problem in Hockenheim qualifying was a hydraulic failure, but arguably a bigger issue is that Ferrari has made huge strides with its power unit. “That’s correct. We are behind Ferrari in that area now,” said team boss Toto […]
Bottas ‘satisfied’ with one year contract
Jul.21 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he is determined to stay at Mercedes for more than just another season. Although the Finn consistently declared that he wants a two-year contract extension, team boss Toto Wolff confirmed that Bottas’ new deal is actually just for 2019. “The contract with Valtteri is in the one-plus-one style,” he said, […]