Feb.20 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he has no concerns about being able to cope with an unprecedentedly busy racing programme in 2018. Alongside F1’s longest-ever season of 21 races, the Spaniard will contest the full world endurance championship, including fabled Le Mans. Asked if at the age of 36 it might be too much, Alonso […]
Horner admits Red Bull eyeing title
Feb.20 (GMM) Red Bull should be able to take on Mercedes and Ferrari for the 2018 title. That is the view of team boss Christian Horner, after his colleague Dr Helmut Marko this week played down Red Bull’s championship chances. But as the temporary-liveried RB14 was revealed and shaken down on Monday, Horner said: “If […]
Ferrari to be darker red in 2018 – report
Feb.20 (GMM) Ferrari’s 2018 cars will be painted a deeper shade of red than usual. That is the claim of Giorgio Terruzzi, a well-connected Italian journalist writing for Corriere della Sera newspaper. The report came as Red Bull launched its new car on Monday, featuring a striking temporary livery that will likely be replaced by […]
Kaltenborn sets up Formula 4 team
Feb.19 (GMM) Monisha Kaltenborn is returning to the world of motor racing. The ousted former Sauber boss is setting up a new team to race in the Italian and German Formula 4 series. It’s called KDC Racing, also named after her business partner Emily di Comberti. It will race with a Swiss license and be […]
Williams has ‘no doubts’ about Sirotkin
Feb.19 (GMM) Williams has no doubts Sergey Sirotkin is the right driver for the team. Some believe the British outfit chose the Russian over Robert Kubica or another option for 2018 because of the millions in backing he brings. But boss Claire Williams insisted: “We have been giving young talent a chance for a few […]
Indycar ‘screen’ may be F1 option – Glock
Feb.19 (GMM) Timo Glock says it’s good news that alternatives to the ‘Halo’ cockpit protection system are still being pursued. For 2018, F1 is mandatorily introducing the controversial Halo, which former F1 driver Glock admits is very ugly. “It really affects the aesthetics of the car and that’s a pity,” the German told RTL. “For […]
Rosberg criticises Pirelli approach
Feb.19 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has criticised Pirelli’s approach to the 2018 season. For 2018, the sport’s official tyre supplier has added two new compounds to its range, differentiating the seven tyres with colour coding. Pirelli said recently it considered using the same three colours at every grand prix, but ultimately decided that the spectators could […]
Leclerc relishes F1 debut for ‘Alfa’
Feb.19 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he is relishing his new role as a works ‘Alfa’ driver. The reigning Formula 2 champion has been signed up for 2018 by Sauber, the Swiss team now run by a boss from his junior days, Frederic Vasseur. “I’ve known Charles since his karting days,” Vasseur told France’s Auto Hebdo. […]
Kubica may add Le Mans to busy 2018 programme
Feb.19 (GMM) Robert Kubica looks set to have a busy year in 2018. Although disappointed to miss out on the Williams race seat, the Pole will be the British team’s reserve driver this year. And Marca newspaper reports that the Pole will test Manor’s LMP1 prototype sports car in Spain this week. Kubica’s F1 programme […]
Marko admits Red Bull-Honda possible for 2019
Feb.19 (GMM) Red Bull will decide in the first half of 2018 whether to switch to Honda power next year. After the McLaren-Honda divorce, the Japanese engine supplier has moved on to Red Bull’s second team, Toro Rosso. Dr Helmut Marko, the Red Bull official, said he has been “positively surprised” with what he has […]
Marko doubts Red Bull will win title
Feb.19 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko says Red Bull may not be in a position to push for the world championship in 2018. Following the Mercedes versus Ferrari duel for last year’s title, Red Bull tweaked its procedures so that it has a potentially winning car from the first race for 2018. But Marko told Auto […]
F1 should not turn up engine volume – Abiteboul
Feb.19 (GMM) F1 should not be trying to turn up the volume of its ‘power units’. Ever since the hybrid era began in 2014, fans have lamented the new sound and the sport’s authorities have vowed to rev it up for the future. But Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul said quiet engines are simply a sign […]
Rosberg tips Hamilton to win again
Feb.16 (GMM) World champion Nico Rosberg thinks Mercedes will this year beat Mercedes yet again. That is despite the fact that the latest whispers coming out of Maranello are positive. Germany’s Auto Bild reports that Ferrari has hit its reliability target for its 2018 engine, even though the technical team set about improving the ‘pre-ignition’ […]
F1 needs DRS for now – Brawn
Feb.16 (GMM) Although no fan of the overtaking aid, Ross Brawn says ‘DRS’ is staying in formula one for now. Recently, Liberty Media bought defunct F1 team Manor’s last wind tunnel model and began working on how overtaking chances can be improved for the future. Brawn, F1’s sporting boss, said: “In the short term we […]
New Force India ‘similar’ to 2017 car
Feb.15 (GMM) ‘Evolution not revolution’ appears to be a catchcry as the F1 teams begin to reveal their 2018 cars. Haas is first out of the gates this year with images of its new single seater, as boss Gunther Steiner said the biggest challenge was incorporating the mandatory Halo feature. “The regulations are pretty stable […]
Bottas not targeting Alonso’s ‘triple crown’
Feb.15 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he has no plans to add the ‘triple crown’ target to his itinerary any time soon. Fernando Alonso has made waves in recent years, after targeting the elusive goal of adding Indy 500 and Le Mans victories to his Monaco grand prix win. He came close to Indy victory last […]
Haas defends team boss after controversy
Feb.15 (GMM) Gene Haas has defended the boss of his F1 team following a recent controversy. American drivers from other series hit out at Gunther Steiner after he said Haas does not have a US-born driver because there are none that are ready for F1. “Complete BS,” Indycar driver Graham Rahal said. So as Haas […]
Fans must accept some changes – Chase Carey
Feb.14 (GMM) Chase Carey has hit back at criticism of the changes being made to formula one. Liberty Media has been slammed in recent days and weeks by some fans who believe the sport’s new owners are changing too much. For instance, the controversial Halo is arriving this year, grid girls have been banned, the […]
Williams sponsor denies Sirotkin link
Feb.14 (GMM) A new Williams sponsor says the deal with the British team is not connected with the arrival of Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin. Earlier, Russian software company Acronis backed Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso, but that money is now moving over to Williams. But Acronis boss Serguei Beloussov insisted: “We started negotiating with Williams […]
Azerbaijan says current F1 deal ‘unacceptable’
Feb.13 (GMM) The Azerbaijan government is not sure it will agree to a new race deal with F1 chiefs. Baku hosted its first race on the historic city streets in 2016, with the contract having been negotiated with the now former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Now, sports minister Azad Rahimov is planning to stage talks […]