Oct.2 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen’s boss has defended the under-fire Danish driver. In Hungary, Haas driver Magnussen famously told Nico Hulkenberg to “suck my b-lls”, after the German called him “unsporting” following an on-track clash. And Fernando Alonso agreed after Sunday’s Malaysian grand prix: “Hulkenberg was right.” Alonso called Magnussen an “idiot” after their wheel-to-wheel clash […]
Malaysia may return to F1 in future – PM
Oct.2 (GMM) Sunday’s Malaysian grand prix may not have been the last at Sepang. That is the view of the country’s prime minister Najib Razak, who was speaking as many F1 insiders sadly farewelled the venue near Kuala Lumpur after almost two decades. For cost reasons, the Malaysian government has withdrawn from the F1 calendar, […]
Stroll crash could cost Vettel at Suzuka – Lauda
Oct.2 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s title hopes look set to take yet another hit, after a bizarre post-race incident in Malaysia. It had already been a horror weekend for Ferrari, with Vettel starting the race from the back of the grid and Kimi Raikkonen not starting at all with a near-identical turbo issue. Germany’s Auto Bild […]
Marko to visit Honda HQ after Malaysia
Oct.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko will head to Honda’s Japanese headquarters after the Malaysian grand prix. The Red Bull chief was part of the negotiations that sees axed McLaren partner Honda switch to the energy drink company’s junior team Toro Rosso next year. There are sceptics in the paddock who question the move. “If Honda […]
Vettel will not give up title fight – Lauda
Oct.1 (GMM) Mercedes is not expecting Sebastian Vettel to give up in the 2017 title fight. After Singapore, the German’s chances already took a big hit with his first corner crash. And now in Malaysia, Vettel is starting the race dead last after a technical problem aboard his Ferrari in qualifying. His old Red Bull […]
Perez had IV treatment after qualifying
Oct.1 (GMM) Sergio Perez was rehydrated with the help of an IV drip after qualifying in Malaysia. The Mexican told the media he has been suffering from a stomach virus. “This is possibly the worst place to not feel 100 per cent,” said the Force India driver. As they spoke with the 27-year-old, reporters noticed […]
Williams admits Kubica ‘option’ for 2018
Oct.1 (GMM) Williams has confirmed rumours Robert Kubica is in the running to join the team next year. Earlier, Renault had a contract ‘option’ on the Pole for 2018, but after a series of tests the French outfit decided against signing him. “I am very realistic and I know that the possibility of my returning […]
Wolff ‘worried’ about Bottas slump
Oct.1 (GMM) Toto Wolff admits he is “worried” about Valtteri Bottas’ performance slump. Until just a few races ago, Finland’s Bottas was performing well in his first season for Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton. He has been signed up for 2018. But a few races ago, Bottas’ performance began to slump, and the problem is no […]
Gasly would give up Super Formula title for Austin
Oct.1 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says he isn’t sure if he will vacate his new F1 seat next month to take a shot at winning the 2017 Super Formula title. As GP2 champion, the Frenchman was sent to Japan this year by backer Red Bull as he waited for a vacancy at the junior F1 team […]
Hamilton should ‘rethink’ political tactics – Wolff
Sep.30 (GMM) Toto Wolff has told Lewis Hamilton to “rethink” his public political stance about controversial US president Donald Trump. On social media, the Mercedes driver recently admitted he is siding with American NFL football players who are choosing to ‘take a knee’ during renditions of the US national anthem. And now at Sepang, Hamilton […]
Leclerc admits eyeing 2019 Ferrari seat
Sep.30 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has admitted he has an eye on a potential Ferrari seat for 2019. The young Monaco-born driver has revved up his chances of a 2018 debut with a series of Friday appearances for Sauber, the Ferrari-powered Swiss team. Along with Antonio Giovinazzi, Leclerc is Ferrari’s top junior driver and the Italian […]
Gasly release for Super Formula finale not decided
Sep.30 (GMM) Red Bull has not decided if Pierre Gasly will be released to fight for the Japanese Super Formula title next month. As the French rookie makes his debut at Sepang, it was rumoured axed Daniil Kvyat could return to his Toro Rosso for Austin. That’s because Gasly has contested the full Super Formula […]
Alonso contract being written – Boullier
Sep.30 (GMM) A contract binding Fernando Alonso to McLaren-Renault for 2018 is being drafted. That is the news from team boss Eric Boullier, tying in with the Spanish driver’s comments in Sepang that an announcement could be made before the US grand prix next month. It is believed Alonso’s huge retainer has been agreed, but […]
Rivals furious as FIA chief joins Renault
Sep.30 (GMM) A huge controversy has emerged as FIA technical boss Marcin Budkowski looks set to join the Renault team. Budkowski, a 40-year-old Pole, was tipped to take over from F1 race director Charlie Whiting, but instead he has gone on three months of ‘gardening leave’. The big rumour in the Sepang paddock is that […]
Bottas to make own team order decisions – Hamilton
Sep.29 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he does not expect teammate Valtteri Bottas to be his ‘number 2’ for the rest of the 2017 season. Most insiders would agree that the 2017 title battle is now between Hamilton and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. But Hamilton said that doesn’t mean he expects the sister Mercedes car to pull […]
Sainz to ‘finish season with Toro Rosso’
Sep.29 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he is staying in his Toro Rosso seat for the rest of 2018. In the weeks before Malaysia, there were rumours the Spaniard would make his move to Renault before this season is concluded, to make way for Pierre Gasly’s debut. But Gasly is instead debuting in the ousted Daniil […]
Palmer eyeing ‘long term’ Indycar switch for 2018
Sep.29 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer has admitted he is eyeing a potential switch to Indycar for 2018. After a tough couple of seasons with Renault, the son of former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer will be replaced by Carlos Sainz next year. Palmer, 26, admits it could be the end of his F1 career for now. “If […]
Hamilton eyes Mercedes contract talks
Sep.28 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he would like to negotiate a new contract with Mercedes. Throughout 2017, the triple world champion has been sending mixed messages about his future — hinting about a new deal beyond 2018 and then suggesting he could retire. Asked to explain that contradiction, the Briton said in Malaysia: “Racing really […]
Kvyat will ‘maybe’ return in 2017 – Gasly
Sep.29 (GMM) Pierre Gasly has confirmed reports he is not sure how many races he will contest for Toro Rosso this year. What is fairly certain is that the 21-year-old Frenchman will be Carlos Sainz’s full-time replacement at the junior Red Bull team next year. But for now, the man he has ousted in Malaysia […]
Wehrlein more optimistic about F1 future
Sep.28 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein thinks his chances of staying in F1 next year are now “quite good”. Earlier, the Mercedes-backed German seemed resigned to losing his place at Sauber, as the Swiss team ramps up its relationship with Ferrari. But now, the big rumour is that Marcus Ericsson could be the driver set to lose […]