Jul.14 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has called for a rules rethink regarding jump starts in F1. A week ago in Austria, the Ferrari driver disputed the FIA’s insistence that Valtteri Bottas did not jump the start. The current rules permit some movement of the car after the fifth light goes on, allowing for the engagement of […]
Massa wants to stay at Williams
Jul.14 (GMM) Felipe Massa says he is happy to stay at Williams in 2018. This year, the British team pulled the Brazilian out of his brief retirement to replace Mercedes-bound Valtteri Bottas. Team boss Claire Williams said recently she can imagine Massa, 36, staying next year. “At the moment, I see no reason why I […]
Ocon admits blocking Perez fans on Twitter
Jul.14 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he had to block some of Sergio Perez’s fans on Twitter. Recently, the Force India teammates have been at loggerheads over team orders in Montreal and a clash of wheels in Baku. As a result, Frenchman Ocon says he was abused on social media by some Mexican fans. “I blocked […]
Rosberg rules out Ferrari comeback
Jul.14 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has ruled out returning to F1 next year with Ferrari. With the Maranello team openly considering replacing Kimi Raikkonen for 2018, reigning world champion Rosberg’s name has been mentioned as a candidate. But the retired former Mercedes driver said: “No, it will not happen. “It’s an honour that so much is […]
Hulkenberg happy with Kubica or Alonso for 2018
Jul.14 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has admitted that Robert Kubica could be his teammate in 2018. Pole Kubica’s hopes of a popular F1 comeback are racing ahead, following his tests at Valencia and Paul Ricard, and a run in the 2017 car in the simulator. Next, it is rumoured the former team driver will get a […]
Ferrari will decide future – Raikkonen
Jul.14 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says Ferrari will decide his future in F1. A year ago, the Maranello team extended the Finn’s contract for another season, but now president Sergio Marchionne has admitted Ferrari is considering a change. Raikkonen said: “The situation is the same as it was a year ago. You must ask Ferrari if […]
Ecclestone admits Singapore GP in doubt
Jul.14 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has admitted next year’s Singapore grand prix might not go ahead. The night race on the streets of the city-state is one of the most popular events on the calendar, but a provisional ‘asterisk’ has been put alongside its date for 2018. Ousted former F1 supremo Ecclestone told Brazil’s Globo: “Malaysia […]
Vettel plays down Silverstone engine boost
Jul.14 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has played down reports Ferrari will have a new engine specification this weekend at Silverstone. Germany’s Bild newspaper claims the championship leader’s campaign will get a 15 horse power boost, but Vettel insisted: “I don’t know if it will make a big difference. “It was a planned change but it shouldn’t […]
Perez not committing to Force India for 2018
Jul.14 (GMM) Sergio Perez is not ready to commit to Force India for 2018. Last year, the Mexican turned down an offer from Renault but now he admits the driver market looks more interesting ahead of next season. “It’s too early to talk about it,” he told the Spanish daily Marca at Silverstone. “But for […]
Alonso has ‘nothing to say’ about future
Jul.14 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has “nothing to say” about his future. In the few days between Austria and Silverstone, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has played down reports Alonso might return, while McLaren’s Eric Boullier said the British team needs a fully committed driver for 2018. And Flavio Briatore, involved in Alonso’s management, was quoted as […]
Sauber-Honda engine deal in doubt – Ericsson
Jul.14 (GMM) Marcus Ericsson has admitted the identity of Sauber’s engine supplier for 2018 is in doubt. Earlier, the Swiss team inked a contract to become Honda’s first F1 customer, but rumours suggest the deal could now be scrapped. “To be honest, a lot has happened over the past few days,” Swedish driver Ericsson said. […]
Honda denies considering F1 exit
Jul.14 (GMM) Honda has denied claims the Japanese manufacturer is considering pulling out of formula one. Rumours of a McLaren-Honda divorce were already rife, but now there are claims Honda is considering pulling out of its 2018 customer deal with Sauber. “This is the first matter I will work on,” new Sauber boss Frederic Vasseur […]
Hamilton’s rivals question London absence
Jul.14 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s rivals say they do not understand his decision to skip the London demonstration this week. As he arrived at Silverstone for the British grand prix, the local hero defended his decision to be the only F1 driver to skip the promotional event. Recalling a similar event in his native Holland, however, […]
25 races ‘not bad’ for F1 staff – Brawn
Jul.13 (GMM) Ross Brawn is not ruling out an expansion of the F1 calendar to include 25 races. Recently, after Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso threatened to quit if there are 25 races in the future, F1 CEO Chase Carey said his first priority is to make the 21-race schedule for 2018 as successful as […]
No Verstappen release for ‘100 million’ – Marko
Jul.13 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has categorically ruled out releasing Max Verstappen before the Dutchman’s Red Bull contract runs out. Persistent speculation suggests Ferrari may even be willing to pay millions to extract the 19-year-old from his current Red Bull deal, which runs until the end of 2019. But Marko, the Red Bull driver manager, […]
Buemi, Kubica rumours heating up
Jul.13 (GMM) Sebastien Buemi is not ruling out a return to the F1 grid. Since losing his Toro Rosso seat, the 28-year-old Swiss has become a top sports car and Formula E driver. But Auto Motor und Sport said he was back at the wheel of a Red Bull F1 car last week to help […]
Porsche to make F1 decision in July – report
Jul.13 (GMM) Porsche is tipped to decide within the next two weeks whether or not to enter formula one. The Volkswagen brand is currently a frontrunner at Le Mans, but Auto Motor und Sport says the Porsche board is set to “decide the motor sport strategy for coming years” later in July. “There are several […]
Honda denies Sauber split reports
Jul.13 (GMM) Honda has denied reports it will renege on its contract to power the Swiss team Sauber from 2018. The rumours say that with the works McLaren-Honda collaboration already in doubt, Honda may now be balking at the internal turmoil within the struggling Sauber team. “This is speculation, and we do not comment on […]
Alfa Romeo may power Haas in F1 – report
Jul.13 (GMM) Alfa Romeo could be ready to enter formula one. Some time ago, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne said the iconic Italian name “should be reiterated as a sports brand and consider the possibility to race in F1”. “How? Probably in collaboration with Ferrari,” he added. Now, Germany’s Auto Bild reported rumours that Alfa Romeo […]
Mayor not yet backing Copenhagen F1 plans
Jul.13 (GMM) Copenhagen is not yet backing plans for a F1 street race in the Danish capital. We reported recently that Danish businessman Lars Seier Christensen met with F1 owner Liberty Media about a potential deal, with a circuit to be devised by Hermann Tilke. However, Copenhagen’s Lord Mayor Frank Jensen said: “We first must […]