Aug.9 (GMM) A Renault engineer has raised expectations Robert Kubica might indeed be heading back to F1. Dozens of Polish media and thousands of his fans cheered the 32-year-old as he got to grips with Renault’s 2017 car in the recent Hungary test, notwithstanding his permanent injuries sustained in a crash six years ago. Ricardo […]
Domenicali enjoying F1’s ‘open’ 2017 season
Aug.9 (GMM) Former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali has admitted he is crossing his fingers the Maranello marque can end its decade-long title drought this year. The Italian was Ferrari team principal for six years until 2014, and now heads Lamborghini. Red Bull boss Christian Horner has linked Lamborghini with a future move into F1, and […]
Legal issues forced Halo introduction – Horner
Aug.9 (GMM) Mercedes backed the FIA into a corner over the issue of cockpit protection in F1. That is the view of Red Bull chief Christian Horner, who is no advocate of the governing body’s decision to mandate the controversial ‘Halo’ solution for 2018. A debate is raging about whether ‘Halo’ is good or bad […]
F1 ‘at crossroads’ over future engine – Horner
Aug.9 (GMM) The swarms of carmakers flocking to Formula E is a chance for F1 to think about going back to the future with its next engine. That is the view of Red Bull boss Christian Horner, as the sport looks to move on from the controversial ‘power unit’ era post 2020. Talks about the […]
Stroll and father join F1 ‘silly season’
Aug.8 (GMM) Lance Stroll could be a surprise protagonist in this year’s F1 ‘silly season’. The specialist Italiaracing publication is reporting that the Williams driver’s father, billionaire fashion mogul Lawrence Stroll, is being linked with Force India. Force India, whose co-owners Vijay Mallya and Subrata Roy are both tackling serious legal issues, is considering dropping […]
New F1 engine to be ‘better’ – Carey
Aug.8 (GMM) New F1 CEO Chase Carey has revealed that a new engine, cost cuts, and fairer income distribution should lead to better racing in the future. Currently, the American says he is enjoying the Mercedes versus Ferrari battle at the front, but he said other teams should also be in the hunt to win. […]
McLaren wants to keep Vandoorne, Alonso
Aug.8 (GMM) McLaren has confirmed claims it intends to line up with an unchanged driver lineup for 2018. After setting blistering times in the post-Hungary test, teenager Lando Norris denied he might be a contender to replace Stoffel Vandoorne next year. “I think McLaren is trying to keep the current lineup”, he said, referring also […]
Porsche not denying future F1 foray
Aug.8 (GMM) Porsche is not denying that a “high efficiency engine” already under development could become the basis of a F1 project. The German sports car maker shocked the world of motor sport recently by announcing that it is leaving the top Le Mans category LMP1. However, Porsche’s entire Le Mans team is being kept […]
Carey wants title showdown in Abu Dhabi
Aug.7 (GMM) Chase Carey says he does not have a personal favourite for the 2017 title. While Lewis Hamilton is the superstar and Sebastian Vettel does not even have social media accounts, F1’s new CEO told Auto Bild he is more than happy the duo are fighting it out for championship spoils. “There is no […]
McLaren wants same drivers in 2018 – Norris
Aug.7 (GMM) Lando Norris has calmed speculation he could be about to burst into formula one. The 17-year-old Briton, who is a McLaren junior driver, staked a claim on future F1 superstardom last week by beating Fernando Alonso’s qualifying time in the post-race test at the Hungaroring. Norris is currently a title contender in European […]
Winning Red Bull will end Verstappen rumours – Horner
Aug.7 (GMM) Speculation about Max Verstappen’s future will calm down once Red Bull gives him a winning car. That is the view of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, when asked by the Dutch publication Formule 1 about constant rumours connecting the 19-year-old with Ferrari. Verstappen is under contract until the end of 2019, and […]
Ferrari form boosts Monza ticket sales
Aug.7 (GMM) Monza is enjoying boosted ticket sales as a direct result of Ferrari’s better performance in 2017. That is the claim of former F1 driver Ivan Capelli, who is now involved in organising the fabled Italian grand prix as the Milan automobile club chief. After a ten-year title drought for Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel is […]
Engine boost helps McLaren relationship – Honda
Aug.7 (GMM) Honda is hoping better performance from its F1 engine will calm the troubled waters between the Japanese manufacturer and McLaren. As the sport reaches its mid-season August break, rumours of a split in the works Anglo-Japanese collaboration are still circulating. Indeed, a deal between Sauber and Honda for 2018 has already been cancelled. […]
Bottas has no ‘plan B’ for 2018
Aug.7 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has admitted he does not have a ‘plan B’ in the event Mercedes does not re-sign him for 2018. While the Finn only has a single-year contract at present, it is expected that the German team will agree a new deal with the 27-year-old by September. Indeed, Bottas thinks he has […]
Vettel wants one-year Ferrari extension
Aug.7 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s future might not be as clear as recent media reports suggest. Italian sources report that Ferrari is preparing to confirm Vettel alongside Kimi Raikkonen for 2018 at Monza next month, with president Sergio Marchionne admitting a deal “may be close”. But Finland’s Ilta Sanomat newspaper now cites sources in saying Ferrari […]
2018 contract ‘not news to me’ – Magnussen
Aug.7 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he was not surprised when Haas announced recently that it is keeping the same driver lineup for 2018. The American team said before Hungary that the Danish driver will remain alongside Frenchman Romain Grosjean next year. “I knew when I signed the contract that it was two years, so it’s […]
Wehrlein not keen on Formula E move
Aug.4 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein has played down claims he could keep his racing career alive in Formula E next year. This week, we reported that with Ferrari looking to make Sauber its junior team in 2018, the Mercedes-backed Wehrlein is likely to be shown the door. “I have scored all five points,” the 22-year-old told […]
Hulkenberg relaxed over Halo censorship
Aug.4 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says he is not bothered about being edited out of an official F1 video about the controversial ‘Halo’ concept. In Hungary last weekend, drivers including Hulkenberg commented during the official press conference about news the FIA is introducing the controversial cockpit protection system for 2018. “I was never a big supporter […]
Lando Norris on ’empty tanks’ in test – Berger
Aug.4 (GMM) Gerhard Berger says it is difficult to judge the potential of young drivers based on this week’s testing in Hungary. After the post-race running at the Hungaroring, veteran F1 commentator Martin Brundle declared: “There’s some very exciting young talent knocking on F1’s door.” He was undoubtedly referring to the likes of Charles Leclerc, […]
Williams considers di Resta for 2018 seat
Aug.4 (GMM) Paul di Resta has suddenly entered the running to race for Williams in 2018. Until Hungary, where he took over from the ill Felipe Massa, the 31-year-old Scot had not raced in F1 since losing his Force India seat in 2013. However, Scot di Resta has kept his racing instincts sharp with a […]