Dec.15 (GMM) Robert Kubica’s father says the Pole is still in the running to be named Williams’ second driver for 2018. Multiple sources reported this week that although the Pole was the recent favourite, the strongly Russian-backed Sergey Sirotkin ultimately won the day with better pace in Abu Dhabi and a much bigger sponsorship purse. […]
Giovinazzi not giving up after Sauber snub
Dec.15 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi says he is keeping his chin up despite missing out on the Sauber seat for 2018. His fellow Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc is making the full-time step up to F1 next year, but despite the new Alfa Romeo deal, Sauber is sticking with Marcus Ericsson for the other 2018 seat. “Obviously […]
20 new staff to join Sauber for 2018
Dec.15 (GMM) With its newly signed title sponsor Alfa Romeo, Sauber is already ramping up its bid to end its backmarker status. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the beleaguered Swiss team, dead last in 2017, will have put 20 new technical staff to work by the time winter testing begins in February. “The first […]
Arrivabene envies Mercedes’ ‘winning mentality’
Dec.14 (GMM) The difference between Mercedes and Ferrari is the winning habit. That is the view of Maurizio Arrivabene, the normally taciturn Ferrari team boss. Sebastian Vettel was the 2017 title favourite in the first half of the season, but driver errors and car reliability meant Ferrari’s challenge collapsed suddenly. Arrivabene told Speed Week the […]
Ricciardo determined to improve in 2018
Dec.14 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says he is determined to improve in 2018. The Australian remains highly rated, and is wanted by Red Bull for a new contract in 2019 even though he is sniffing around the other top teams. However, Max Verstappen has already been signed up for the future and the Dutchman won two […]
Michelin not interested in 2021 return
Dec.14 (GMM) Michelin appears uninterested in returning to F1 even after 2020. The French marque makes tyres for Le Mans, Formula E and MotoGP, but motor racing boss Pascal Couasnon says the rules are not right for a return to F1. “It is not an option as long as there is no change in the […]
Wehrlein’s F1 exit ‘a shame’ – Wolff
Dec.14 (GMM) Toto Wolff says it’s a shame Pascal Wehrlein looks to have been left without a seat in F1. German Wehrlein is a Mercedes-backed junior driver, but although Wolff recommended him for the Williams seat, the British team appears to be choosing between either Sergey Sirotkin, Daniil Kvyat or Robert Kubica. It is the […]
Hamilton tips Alonso to be in 2018 fight
Dec.14 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has tipped Fernando Alonso to join the fight for the world championship in 2018. This year, Briton Hamilton emerged victorious from his battle with Ferrari, but he thinks there will be others in the fight in 2018. “I will prepare more than ever to try to take home my fifth championship […]
Haas puts team expansion plans on hold
Dec.14 (GMM) The American team Haas says it has put on hold any plans to expand. Team boss Gunther Steiner said that despite the reputation that the second year is harder for a F1 team, he is impressed with how Haas went in 2017. “I would not have expected that we are so stable in […]
F1 must attract ‘a new generation’ – Carey
Dec.13 (GMM) Chase Carey has admitted Liberty Media has a task to win over long-time F1 fans. The American and the American company have succeeded the long reign of Bernie Ecclestone, making changes this year and planning even greater changes for the future. But F1 chief executive Carey says he has work to do to […]
Reliability first goal for 2018 – Abiteboul
Dec.13 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul says Renault’s first priority for 2018 is reliability. Although Red Bull won three races this year, a late season reliability crisis saw tensions spill over with another Renault customer, Toro Rosso. Renault is now adding McLaren to its customer roster for 2018 as well as pushing on with its works team, […]
Williams to announce second driver on Friday
Dec.13 (GMM) Williams will finally reveal the identity of Lance Stroll’s 2018 teammate on Friday. With Felipe Massa retiring, the once-great British team is the last on next year’s grid to firm up its driver plans. After a seven year F1 absence due to injury, Robert Kubica was believed to have been the frontrunner. But […]
Hamilton not targeting Alonso’s ‘triple crown’
Dec.13 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he does not want to emulate Fernando Alonso in targeting motor racing’s unique ‘triple crown’. As Alonso tackled the Indy 500 last year, the Spaniard revealed that as a former Monaco GP winner, he would like to win Le Mans as well and one day join Graham Hill in completing […]
No desire to fix Rosberg friendship – Hamilton
Dec.13 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he has no desire to fix his relationship with his former teammate Nico Rosberg. As they bitterly fought for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 championships at dominant Mercedes, the former friends became enemies. “They were so bad that they didn’t even say hello in the morning,” Mercedes team chairman and […]
Wolff denies Mercedes eyeing Ocon for 2019
Dec.12 (GMM) Toto Wolff has played down claims Mercedes is already eyeing Valtteri Bottas’ 2019 replacement. Despite a solid start to his first year in silver and securing a new deal for 2018, Bottas is rumoured to have been earmarked for replacement in 2019 by Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon. Team boss Wolff denies it. “Esteban […]
Mercedes snaps up Ferrari engine boss
Dec.12 (GMM) Former Ferrari engine boss Lorenzo Sassi is heading to arch F1 rival Mercedes. In July, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne confirmed rumours that respected designer Sassi had been either ousted from the F1 team, demoted or promoted. “Sassi is continuing the development of his career. We did it with Cardile as well,” he said. […]
Vettel takes blame for ‘unnecessary’ Baku
Dec.12 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted Baku was “the worst moment” in his failed 2017 championship challenge. While Ferrari’s end of season unreliability was arguably more to blame, German Vettel takes full responsibility for having lost his cool and crashed deliberately into Lewis Hamilton during a safety car period in Azerbaijan. “The worst moment was […]
‘Trust’ explains unopposed FIA re-election – Todt
Dec.12 (GMM) Jean Todt says being appointed as FIA president for a third consecutive term was the result of having acquired a position of “trust”. Although former rally driver Ari Vatanen earlier stood against the Frenchman, no candidate tried to unseat 71-year-old Todt this time around. “The FIA community was happy with the candidate and […]
Gasly hopes Honda good enough for points
Dec.12 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says he is hoping Honda’s 2018 engine is good enough for Toro Rosso to score regular points. The Japanese manufacturer struggled so much since returning to F1 in 2015 that McLaren has scrapped the works collaboration in desperation. Honda power now goes to the Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso, and […]
Sirotkin manager says Williams decision ‘close’
Dec.12 (GMM) Robert Kubica has reportedly dropped out of the race to complete Williams’ 2018 driver lineup. While the Pole was earlier tipped as the favourite, authoritative and widespread media sources claim the frontrunner is now in fact former Renault reserve driver Sergey Sirotkin. We reported this week that Russian Sirotkin has the powerful financial […]