Jul.5 (GMM) Sauber is set to announce Frederic Vasseur as its new team boss. Just prior to the recent grand prix in Baku, the Swiss team’s new owners suddenly ousted boss Monisha Kaltenborn. And Vasseur, who this year has been running his Formula 2 team after leaving Renault at the end of last season, subsequently […]
Paul Ricard bids to host 2018 winter tests
Jul.5 (GMM) Paul Ricard could be the scene of next year’s official F1 winter testing. The circuit in Le Castellet is returning to the calendar next year to revive the historic French grand prix. But it emerges that the teams and drivers could also get their first taste of the 2018 cars at Paul Ricard […]
Stroll’s private testing ‘not fair’ – Villeneuve
Jul.5 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve has hit out at the private testing programme being enjoyed this year by controversial F1 rookie Lance Stroll. After vicious early-season criticism of the 18-year-old Williams driver, Villeneuve acknowledged that fellow Canadian Stroll took a big step forward in Montreal and Baku. But the 1997 world champion remains critical. For instance, […]
Villeneuve not sorry for Stroll criticism
Jul.5 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve has refused to apologise for his harsh outspokenness about his countryman Lance Stroll’s performance in F1 this year. Stroll, 18, had lashed out at the “negative” 1997 world champion, after Villeneuve described him as arguably the sport’s worst ever rookie. “I was critical of him early in the season because of […]
F1 talk too early for Mick Schumacher – Hakkinen
Jul.5 (GMM) It is too early to be predicting F1 stardom for Mick Schumacher. That is the claim of Mika Hakkinen, who almost two decades ago was the biggest rival of teenage Mick’s legendary father Michael Schumacher. Now, Hakkinen is backing the Schumacher family’s ‘Keep fighting’ initiative and trying to ease the immense pressure on […]
Vettel ‘crashgate’ over now – Lauda
Jul.5 (GMM) Mercedes chiefs have called an end to the Sebastian Vettel ‘crashgate’ saga. After the now apologetic Ferrari driver essentially escaped further sanction for having been found by the FIA to have steered deliberately into Lewis Hamilton in Baku, the controversy continued in the wake of the FIA ruling. Hamilton reportedly ‘liked’ on Instagram […]
No Renault wins until 2019 – Abiteboul
Jul.4 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has admitted that Renault might not be winning races by next year. After buying the failing Lotus team, the French marque struggled in 2016 but has restored credibility this year. “We wanted to establish ourselves in the midfield this year,” team boss Abiteboul told Auto Motor und Sport. “We succeeded in […]
Jordan says Wolff will not silence him
Jul.4 (GMM) Eddie Jordan says he will not be silenced, after being slammed by Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. In Baku, Wolff lashed out at the former F1 team owner turned television pundit for continually claiming Mercedes will quit the sport after 2018. “I told him that this is very serious for me,” Wolff said. […]
Ocon moving on after Perez run-ins
Jul.4 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has vowed to move on amid a controversial period in his relationship with Force India teammate Sergio Perez. In Canada, Perez turned down a ‘team order’ to let his French teammate past, and then in Baku the pair argued after an on-track clash. The pair were summoned to Silverstone afterwards for […]
F1 targets lighter engines for future
Jul.4 (GMM) Weight has emerged as a major factor as F1 prepares to change its engine formula beyond 2020. The next key meeting of the engine working group will take place on Tuesday, following reports the likely unit for the future will be a 1.6 litre V6 with two turbos and a single KERS. “I […]
‘Sorry’ Vettel escapes major FIA penalty
Jul.4 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has issued an apology after avoiding a major additional penalty as a result of intentionally driving into Lewis Hamilton in Baku. On his 30th birthday, the Ferrari driver on Monday attended F1 governing body the FIA’s investigation into his behaviour that some thought might cost him a race ban. In Baku, […]
Berger confirms Force India test for nephew
Jul.3 (GMM) It is now almost certain that Gerhard Berger’s nephew will shortly make his F1 test debut. Widespread reports say DTM frontrunner Lucas Auer will drive the Force India at the post-Hungarian GP young driver’s test. “As it turns out, he will get a formula one test in the Force India in the young […]
No ‘ultimatum’ for struggling Palmer – Abiteboul
Jul.3 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul says he is imposing no “ultimatum” on struggling Renault driver Jolyon Palmer. Rumours are rife that the extent of Briton Palmer’s struggles to keep up with Nico Hulkwenberg means the team is considering dumping him mid-season. Renault boss Abiteboul admits that Palmer needs to improve. “We cannot afford this situation,” he […]
FIA should excuse ’emotional’ Vettel – Berger
Jul.3 (GMM) Gerhard Berger says the FIA should forgive Sebastian Vettel for driving into Lewis Hamilton recently in Baku. On Monday, which is also the Ferrari driver’s 30th birthday, the governing body will meet to consider applying a further penalty for the infraction. But former Ferrari and McLaren driver Berger told Bild am Sonntag: “I […]
Alonso wants Mercedes or Ferrari seat – Briatore
Jul.3 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has targeted a move into one of F1’s two top teams for 2018. That is the claim of Flavio Briatore, who still oversees the management of the Spaniard’s career as he seeks a potential move away from McLaren-Honda. “Fernando must go to Mercedes or Ferrari,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. […]
Red Bull says loss of oil ‘trick’ hurt Ferrari
Jul.3 (GMM) Speculation is increasing that a technical controversy is behind Ferrari’s sudden dip in form. The Italian team was riding a wave of form this year until the last two races in Canada and Baku. One suggestion is that an FIA clampdown about the adding of oil to fuel was specifically targeted against Ferrari. […]
2017 ‘difficult’ for teammate Vandoorne – Alonso
Jul.3 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has admitted his teammate’s introduction to F1 this year has been “difficult”. Amid his push for a more competitive seat, the Spaniard has regularly pointed out that he is a long way ahead of the occupant of the sister McLaren-Honda, Stoffel Vandoorne. Indeed, there are even question marks about the 25-year-old […]
Jos Verstappen says son ‘happy at Red Bull’
Jul.3 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s father has denied the Red Bull driver is looking for a way out of his contract. Amid rumours his clearly-frustrated 19-year-old son would like to accept a Ferrari offer for 2018, former F1 driver Jos last week said on Twitter that an explanation by Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was […]
Lauda says McLaren-Mercedes deal not done
Jun.30 (GMM) Niki Lauda says no deal is in place between McLaren and Mercedes for 2018. Amid intense speculation about McLaren’s impending divorce from works partner Honda, new rumours suggest the first McLaren-Mercedes tests may take place later this year. But Lauda, the Mercedes team chairman, says no deal is in place. “McLaren has a […]
Perez to be latest F1 father
Jun.30 (GMM) Sergio Perez is set to become the latest F1 father. The news was reported by the newspaper Chancha, revealing that the Force India driver’s girlfriend Carola is expected to give birth after the 2017 season. “I never speak about my private life, but I am in the best moment of my life and […]