Oct.20 (GMM) Felipe Massa says he would be interested in a role with Liberty Media once his F1 career ends. After 16 seasons on the grid, the 36-year-old is fighting for his Williams cockpit against 2018 contenders Robert Kubica, Paul di Resta and Pascal Wehrlein. Although he retired at the end of last season only […]
Wehrlein hopes to know future before Abu Dhabi
Oct.20 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein has admitted his future could remain in doubt for some time. The German arrived in Austin fresh from celebrating his 23rd birthday, amid rumours he is hoping to be retained by Sauber next year. “I’d rather be 25,” Wehrlein joked, according to Germany’s Auto Bild. He is referring to rumours a […]
Verstappen would prefer to avoid top team switch
Oct.20 (GMM) Max Verstappen has suggested he would prefer to stay at Red Bull rather than switch to a rival team. The Dutchman remains under contract until 2019, but rumours he is being wooed by F1’s top two teams Mercedes and Ferrari are constant. Clearly, Red Bull wants the newly 20-year-old to stay, with boss […]
Vettel urges against big changes at Ferrari
Oct.20 (GMM) Amid rumblings of looming changes, Sebastian Vettel says Ferrari should actually stay the course. Recently, as his title campaign crumbled amid reliability problems, president Sergio Marchionne said “organisational changes” are now on the cards. And Germany’s Bild newspaper has reported that team boss Maurizio Arrivabene’s job could be in doubt. But Vettel thinks […]
Kvyat unsure if Austin is last F1 race
Oct.20 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat admitted in Austin that he is not sure if he will remain in his Toro Rosso seat beyond Sunday’s US grand prix. The Russian was recently sidelined by team owner Red Bull to make way for Pierre Gasly. But Gasly is in Japan this weekend completing his Super Formula season. So […]
Hartley not ruling out longer F1 adventure
Oct.20 (GMM) Brendon Hartley says his future is unclear beyond Sunday’s US grand prix. The New Zealander, who last tested an F1 car for Mercedes in 2012, has been drafted into Toro Rosso’s Austin lineup by his former backer Red Bull. But there is speculation that when Pierre Gasly returns from his Super Formula duties […]
Rosberg not eyeing job as team boss yet
Oct.19 (GMM) Nico Rosberg is not ruling out a future as a motor racing team boss. Last weekend, Team Rosberg – founded by the reigning world champion’s father Keke – won the DTM championship with Rene Rast at the wheel. But although he is now retired, Rosberg said he is not involved with the team. […]
Pressure on Hamilton’s shoulders in Austin – Glock
Oct.19 (GMM) The pressure has switched from Sebastian Vettel to Lewis Hamilton’s shoulders ahead of the US grand prix. That is the view of Timo Glock, a former F1 driver who will be in the Austin paddock this weekend as a television pundit. The German, who now races in DTM, is referring to the fact […]
Hartley prepares for ‘big step’ in Austin
Oct.19 (GMM) Brendon Hartley has admitted getting up to speed straight away in Austin will be difficult. Toro Rosso owner Red Bull has signed the New Zealander and Le Mans winner to replace Pierre Gasly this weekend, as the Frenchman is racing in Japan. Hartley, a former Red Bull reserve driver who has never raced […]
Saudi Arabia to host Race of Champions
Oct.19 (GMM) F1 drivers will head to Saudi Arabia early next year for the annual Race of Champions. The Saudi capital of Riyadh will be a controversial choice of venue for the motor racing spectacular, with women only just having been given the freedom to drive. Normally, sports events in the desert country are not […]
Red Bull started 2018 car design early – Ricciardo
Oct.19 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says Red Bull got an early start with the design of its car for 2018. Many were surprised when, despite the big regulations change, Red Bull began this season clearly behind F1’s top two teams Mercedes and Ferrari. But the former champions have caught up through the year, with Australian Ricciardo […]
French authorities investigate Liberty takeover
Oct.19 (GMM) French anti-corruption authorities are investigating the FIA over Liberty Media’s acquisition of formula one. The New York Times reports that the body called Parquet National Financier is concerned the Paris-based federation approved the sale of the sport to Liberty despite holding a stake. The FIA denies it was a conflict of interest. “We […]
Gasly thinks Honda relationship will help in 2018
Oct.18 (GMM) Pierre Gasly thinks his experience in working with Honda will help him in formula one next year. The Toro Rosso newcomer is actually skipping this weekend’s US grand prix to try to win the Super Formula title in Japan. Red Bull agreed to release him for one race at the behest of Honda, […]
Hamilton must keep focus to win title – Rosberg
Oct.18 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton should keep his composure to secure victory in this year’s world championship. That is the advice of Nico Rosberg, who beat his former Mercedes teammate to last year’s crown before suddenly retiring. The pair had a difficult relationship at the German team, but Rosberg says he has been impressed with Hamilton’s […]
Paddy Lowe not commenting on Kubica test
Oct.18 (GMM) Paddy Lowe is remaining quiet about Robert Kubica’s chances of joining Williams in 2018. Recently, Pole Kubica followed up his Renault test duties with a run in Williams’ 2014 car at Silverstone. Along with team reserve Paul di Resta, he is reportedly in the running to replace Felipe Massa next year. Now, it […]
F1 engine expert joins Red Bull sponsor Aston Martin
Oct.18 (GMM) Aston Martin appears to have taken another step closer to formula one. A month ago, the British luxury carmaker announced it will step up its deal with Red Bull to become title sponsor for 2018. When asked if an engine deal might be the next step, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: “They […]
McLaren could announce Alonso deal on Thursday
Oct.18 (GMM) McLaren could be mere hours away from announcing that Fernando Alonso is staying with the British team in 2018. Asked if a deal is “close” after weeks and months of speculation, team executive Zak Brown said this week: “We’ve been close for some time. “We wanted to get the Asian races out of […]
Mick Schumacher to stay for second F3 season
Oct.18 (GMM) Mick Schumacher will stay for another season in European F3 next year. The son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher finished his first campaign in the top junior category just twelfth, even behind Adrian Newey’s son Harrison. Mick, 18, admits: “I’m trying to improve in all areas.” In contrast, the even younger Lando Norris […]
Mercedes could change car concept for 2018
Oct.18 (GMM) Mercedes could be set to change direction completely with the concept of its 2018 car. Although fast, this year’s Mercedes has been dubbed a “diva” by team boss Toto Wolff, as it often mysteriously underperforms. “The concept may have come to the end of its development,” an engineer is quoted as saying by […]
McLaren Indycar team ‘years’ away – Brown
Oct.17 (GMM) “Years” will pass before McLaren fields a team in the full Indycar season. That is the view of the British team’s executive Zak Brown. This year, McLaren paired with existing Indycar outfit Andretti to field Fernando Alonso in the Indy 500. But with the team expecting to be more competitive in F1 with […]