Mar.9 (GMM) A female F1 test driver says physical strength does not prevent women from racing at the pinnacle of motor sport. This week, Spanish driver and FIA ‘women in motor sport commission’ member Carmen Jorda triggered a controversy when she suggested women might want to focus on an easier series like Formula E. But […]
Sainz backs Renault’s ‘four engine’ plan
Mar.9 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has backed Renault’s deliberations over taking a strategic approach to the long-life engine rules of 2018. Over the winter, the rules have changed so that each driver may now use just three power units all season rather than the four that were allowed in 2017. But Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul, as […]
Vettel’s record pace does not worry Hamilton
Mar.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton on Thursday said he is not worried about the laptime put in by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel at the final Barcelona test. Vettel smashed the circuit record, but it is believed the German was in a qualifying simulation with the very softest Pirelli ‘hypersoft’ tyre. In contrast, Mercedes did not even order […]
Red Bull emerging as 2018 title contender
Mar.8 (GMM) Red Bull is emerging as a potential favourite for the 2018 world championship. After Mercedes’ Toto Wolff said on Tuesday that Red Bull is leading the testing pack, Daniel Ricciardo smashed the Barcelona circuit record on day two of the final winter test. “It’s very close between Ferrari, Red Bull and us,” Mercedes […]
Ericsson eyes Leclerc for reputation boost
Mar.8 (GMM) Marcus Ericsson thinks his new teammate could boost his reputation in F1. Since debuting in 2014, Swede Ericsson has established a reputation among the bottom half of the drivers on the grid. But he thinks 2017 and 2018 could change that. “Last year Pascal Wehrlein almost got a seat at Mercedes but actually […]
Brown not ruling out McLaren engine
Mar.8 (GMM) Zak Brown has played down suggestions McLaren could become a formula one engine supplier in 2021. Early this year, F1 talks will intensify about what the post-2021 engine regulations will look like. Talks have already upset Ferrari and Mercedes, and McLaren executive Brown said: “From the conservations I’ve had with Sergio (Marchionne) and […]
Alonso not worried about new start procedure
Mar.8 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he is not worried about a new race start procedure for 2018. At the Barcelona test, drivers simulated a new procedure where a race is re-started from the grid on old tyres after a red flag stoppage. Afterwards, Romain Grosjean sounded the alarm. “It was like driving on slicks in […]
McLaren denies it’s in a post-Honda ‘crisis’
Mar.8 (GMM) Leading McLaren figures are denying the British team is still in crisis even after dumping Honda. Between 2015 and 2017, Honda got the blame for McLaren’s struggles. But the Japanese manufacturer is now at Toro Rosso, and having a trouble-free winter. “It’s logical that we are being compared to Toro Rosso,” McLaren executive […]
Kubica thinks modern F1 cars too heavy
Mar.8 (GMM) Robert Kubica thinks modern F1 cars need to trim some fat. The Pole is uniquely positioned to comment on today’s cars, having sat out the period between 2011 and 2017 with his arm injuries. “The first thing I noticed was the weight,” the new Williams tester told Auto Motor und Sport. “The cars […]
Hamilton helped broker Mercedes sponsor deal
Mar.7 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton helped bring a new sponsor to Mercedes. Bild newspaper reports that the quadruple world champion, a fashion aficionado, was involved in connecting New York label Tommy Hilfiger with his F1 team. “Lewis made contact last summer,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed. “It’s a brand he likes. We then managed to put […]
Verstappen not commenting on Wolff’s prediction
Mar.7 (GMM) Toto Wolff thinks F1 is heading for a three-team battle in 2018. While some think Mercedes is clearly still in the lead, Ferrari is notably confident and Red Bull is keeping its cards very close to its chest. “Red Bull is the fastest car at the moment but we, Ferrari and them are […]
Exhaust-blowing Renault ‘better everywhere’ – Hulkenberg
Mar.7 (GMM) The new Renault car is better in every way, according to driver Nico Hulkenberg. One analysis from the Barcelona testing is that the French works team is ready to step up to become ‘best of the rest’ behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. “I would not call ourselves a secret favourite, but we […]
Toro Rosso giving Honda more ‘freedom’
Mar.7 (GMM) Toro Rosso says it is giving Honda “freedom” to thrive in formula one. After three years of perseverance, McLaren finally called time on its works collaboration with the Japanese carmaker at the end of last season. But the British team is still struggling after switching to Renault power. At the same time, Toro […]
Liberty doesn’t understand F1 technology – Marchionne
Mar.7 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne has told Liberty Media to back off and let Ferrari get on with the business of making F1 cars. Recently, the Ferrari president said he disagreed with Liberty’s apparent post-2020 direction for F1 and threatened to quit after 2020. But Marchionne said at the Geneva motor show that he believes a […]
Force India ‘no longer best in midfield’ – Perez
Mar.7 (GMM) Sergio Perez admits Force India’s place at the top of the F1 midfield is currently in doubt. Now five days into winter testing, the Mexican confessed that other midfield teams are currently ahead of the small Silverstone based outfit that for the last two years has been fourth in the world championship. “We […]
Grid girl controversy ‘nonsense’ – Todt
Mar.7 (GMM) Jean Todt has counted himself out of the debate about ‘grid girls’. F1 owner Liberty Media has banned them, replacing the women with children for 2018. FIA president Todt told Auto Bild at the Geneva motor show: “For me it’s no problem. In fact it’s a stupid problem. “I have no desire and […]
Renault teams may use ‘four engine’ approach
Mar.7 (GMM) Renault-powered teams are considering using four engines per driver instead of just three in 2018. The rules have changed over the winter, meaning drivers will be penalised if they use more than three power units across the long 21-race season. But Auto Motor und Sport reports that Renault may advise its teams to […]
Vandoorne concerned as McLaren problems continue
Mar.7 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne has expressed some concern as a difficult winter for McLaren continues. After a troubled opening test, the British team’s new Renault-powered car struck more problems in Barcelona on Tuesday. Some of the blame might be Renault’s, with Red Bull also suffering from a battery problem. “This is a normal process,” argued […]
Sainz arrival made Hulkenberg ‘worry’
Mar.6 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul says Nico Hulkenberg got a wake-up call last year. The German driver began the year as Jolyon Palmer’s teammate, but the Briton was replaced mid-season by Carlos Sainz. “One thing I recall was when we put Carlos in the car,” Renault team boss Abiteboul told Auto Hebdo. “For the first time […]
Carey admits wanting F1 budget cap
Mar.6 (GMM) Chase Carey has admitted Liberty Media is considering imposing a budget cap in formula one. The new F1 owners’ latest moves have prompted Ferrari to threaten to quit, and Mercedes is also vocally troubled. But chief executive Carey says the sport must do something about spiralling costs. “Everyone agrees that it makes no […]