May 10 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Mercedes is reluctant to issue any “brutal” team orders this year. Before he won in Russia, closing the points gap to his teammate Lewis Hamilton to just 10 points, team newcomer Valtteri Bottas was asked to move aside in Bahrain. But Mercedes boss Wolff says orders will be used […]
Berger believes in Schumacher ‘miracle’
May 10 (GMM) Gerhard Berger says he believes his F1 contemporary Michael Schumacher will one day recover from his brain injuries. Little is known about the seven time world champion’s current condition following a 2013 skiing fall, but it emerged in court last week that he still cannot walk. “I believe in the miracle and […]
Hulkenberg tips Ferrari for title
May 10 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has hailed the fight at the top of formula one this year. The German is impressing after switching to the renewed and improving French works team Renault for 2017, but he admitted his eye has also been on the exciting fight for the title. “Not for a long time have […]
Liberty bought F1 to end ‘crisis’ – Carey
May 10 (GMM) Liberty Media decided to buy F1 because it saw potential amid the sport’s “crisis”. That is the claim of Chase Carey, who has replaced long-time F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone as the sport’s chief executive. Asked by the Spanish daily AS why Liberty bought F1, American Carey answered: “Firstly because we believed that […]
Honda crisis threatens McLaren future – Webber
May 10 (GMM) McLaren’s performance crisis is risking the entire future of the great British marque. That is the concern of former F1 driver Mark Webber, who thinks the only figure who can be at least fairly relaxed amid the situation is Stoffel Vandoorne. “I predict a good career for him,” the Australian is quoted […]
Hockenheim admits German GP future not safe
May 10 (GMM) Hockenheim boss Georg Seiler admits the future of the German grand prix is not secure beyond next year. Amid the Nurburgring’s troubles, the country is not on the calendar this year, but Hockenheim is at least scheduled to host the race in 2018. But Seiler told the German news agency DPA: “We […]
Red Bull can catch top teams – Horner
May 9 (GMM) Team boss Christian Horner says Red Bull still has a chance of catching title contenders Ferrari and Mercedes in 2017. Although the energy drink owned team will introduce a ‘B’ spec car in Barcelona this weekend, engine partner Renault has delayed a performance upgrade. Still, Horner is upbeat. “The new regulations are […]
Button not taking Monaco ‘seriously’ – Webber
May 9 (GMM) Jenson Button may not be taking his one-off return to F1 this month “seriously enough”. That is the view of the Briton’s contemporary Mark Webber, referring to the fact that Button – although newly retired – will fill in at McLaren-Honda in Monaco while Fernando Alonso is doing the Indy 500. “When […]
F1 ‘different’ post-Ecclestone – Barcelona
May 9 (GMM) “Things are different” now that Bernie Ecclestone is no longer in charge of formula one. That is the claim of Vicenc Aguilera, the president of the long-time Spanish grand prix host Circuit de Catalunya. Chase Carey, who has replaced former long-time F1 supremo Ecclestone, said last week that he wants Barcelona to […]
Alonso defends kart track after death
May 9 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has defended his kart circuit in his native Asturias, following the death of an 11-year-old boy. Youngster Gonzalo Basurto was killed recently in a rollover crash. It is believed some parents of young karters have subsequently pulled out of competing at the track, amid safety fears and concerns about the […]
Vettel has Mercedes ‘pre-agreement’ – insider
May 9 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel may already have a “pre-agreement” to switch to Mercedes for 2018. That is the claim of well-known F1 media insider Leo Turrini, who is notoriously close to Ferrari. Although leading the world championship, German Vettel – whose Ferrari contract expires late this year – is rumoured to be in talks […]
Mercedes admits Ferrari ‘still ahead’
May 9 (GMM) Niki Lauda says Mercedes has work to do to catch up with Ferrari. Although Valtteri Bottas won in Russia, Lewis Hamilton struggled and the Brackley based team thinks it is because the Ferrari is better managing the new Pirelli tyres. “Sometimes we have a car of two parts,” team chairman Lauda told […]
Schumacher eyeing F1 ‘one step at a time’
May 8 (GMM) Mick Schumacher insists he is in no rush to become the next teenager in F1. As teens, Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll both powered straight out of European F3 onto the formula one grid. But Schumacher, son of the F1 legend Michael Schumacher, says he is in no such rush. “I’ve just […]
Rumour – Ecclestone involved in Force India bid?
May 8 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone could be involved with a reported move to buy Force India. That is the claim of one of the most experienced veteran journalists in the F1 paddock, Roger Benoit. The long-time correspondent for the Swiss newspaper Blick referred to recent claims that Force India’s controversial owners, Vijay Mallya and Subrata […]
Sainz ‘happy’ at Toro Rosso
May 8 (GMM) Carlos Sainz insists he is “happy” at Toro Rosso. Actually, the Spaniard has been linked with moves to bigger teams like Renault, but is bound to his Red Bull contract for now. But when asked if he feels fenced in at the energy drink company’s junior team, Sainz said: “No. “I think […]
Races not boring in 2017 – Minardi
May 8 (GMM) Giancarlo Minardi has hit back at claims the new F1 regulations have made the races boring. Last time out in Russia, there was only a single overtaking move all race, with the faster 2017 cars being blamed for the lack of action. But Minardi, a former F1 team owner, told Italy’s Autosprint: […]
Berger tips nephew for F1 seat
May 8 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger thinks his nephew could be the next Austrian on the formula one grid. Berger, the former BMW and Toro Rosso chief and a 10-time race winner, has just started his new role as boss of the German touring car series DTM. And his nephew Lucas Auer started the […]
Verstappen ‘disappointed’ in 2017 – Brundle
May 8 (GMM) Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has urged Max Verstappen to keep his “disappointment” in check this year. Brundle, a former McLaren driver who is now a veteran commentator for British television, told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that he can sense the 19-year-old’s frustration with Red Bull’s 2017 car. “He’s so smart […]
Vettel’s brother makes racing debut
May 8 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s brother is taking his first steps in the world of professional motor racing. The 2017 championship leader’s 18-year-old brother Fabian has made his debut in the Audi Sport TT Cup, according to German reports. He said the level of interest in his debut surprised him. “I was partially expecting it,” […]
Ferrari ‘feared’ by Mercedes in 2017 – Marchionne
May 5 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne says he is happy Ferrari is now “feared” once again by its top F1 competitor. After a decade-long title drought, Sebastian Vettel is leading the world championship after the opening four races of 2017. “We have made significant progress,” the Ferrari president is quoted by Italian media, including La Repubblica […]