Nov.26 (GMM) Medical specialists will examine Robert Kubica before he is granted an FIA super license. That is the news from Abu Dhabi, the 2017 season finale that is being attended by FIA president Jean Todt. Seven years after almost losing his right arm in a rallying crash, former BMW and Renault driver Kubica is […]
Alonso, McLaren disagree over full WEC campaign
Nov.26 (GMM) McLaren and Fernando Alonso continue to disagree about whether the Spanish driver should complete the full world endurance championship in 2018. McLaren executive Zak Brown said in Abu Dhabi that the British team is “open” to Alonso doing Le Mans, as McLaren and Toyota are “not competitors”. But it seems that Alonso also […]
Verstappen off the pace as 2017 ends
Nov.26 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s recent run of top form has ended in Abu Dhabi. After a tough start to 2017, the Dutchman has been in top form more recently, winning in Malaysia and Mexico. But he seems to have failed to get to grips with Abu Dhabi, the scene of the 2017 finale. “What has […]
German fans could lose F1 TV coverage
Nov.26 (GMM) German fans could find that formula one is not on television in 2018. Even the pay broadcaster Sky is currently in talks with Liberty Media, with that deal as well as the one with free-to-air network RTL running out after Sunday’s Abu Dhabi grand prix. “Losing free TV in Germany would be quite […]
No contract decisions ‘in coming months’ – Ricciardo
Nov.26 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull are in stalemate over a potential contract beyond 2018 for the Australian driver. Max Verstappen’s deal through 2020 caught Ricciardo by surprise, and he is now hinting that he is open to talks with Mercedes and Ferrari about 2019. “I very much doubt I will decide anything in […]
Halo to make 2018 cars slower – report
Nov.25 (GMM) F1 cars could be half a second per lap slower in 2018. The reason for that is the introduction of the Halo safety innovation, which tips the scales at 14 kilograms in total according to Auto Motor und Sport. But the issue of the cars’ aesthetics is more of a concern to many […]
F1 tests new microphone to improve engine sound
Nov.25 (GMM) F1 is working to turn up the engine volume for the sport’s television viewers. After earlier efforts to amplify the actual engine note for the trackside spectators failed, Liberty Media now has a new approach. Auto Bild claims that instead of trying to make the ‘power units’ actually louder, the new idea is […]
Grosjean happy with Magnussen as teammate
Nov.25 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has backed the Haas team’s current driver lineup. There have been rumours the American squad is under pressure from technical partner Ferrari to accommodate Antonio Giovinazzi next year. But Frenchman Grosjean is under contract, as is Kevin Magnussen, who has become known among his rivals as the “bad boy” of the […]
Sainz hopes Kvyat returns to F1
Nov.25 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he hopes Toro Rosso refugee Daniil Kvyat finds a new home in F1. Having scaled to the height of Red Bull’s driver programme, Russian Kvyat has been ousted by the energy drink company altogether. “I saw Daniil once after Austin but I haven’t heard from him since and I don’t […]
Alonso denies losing F1 focus
Nov.25 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has denied he is spreading himself too thin across other disciplines. Last year, Alonso did the Indy 500, next year Daytona and Le Mans are on the cards, he has a kart track back in Spain, and his new fashion brand Kimoa has now become a multi-year McLaren sponsor. The 36-year-old […]
Hamilton did not improve in 2017 – Rosberg
Nov.25 (GMM) Nico Rosberg does not think Lewis Hamilton upped his game in 2017. One year ago, Rosberg beat his then Mercedes teammate Hamilton to the 2016 world championship and promptly retired. He is back in Abu Dhabi in 2017, but this time only as a pundit for German television RTL. When asked if he […]
Liberty ready to reveal new F1 logo
Nov.25 (GMM) F1’s new owners are preparing to reveal a new official logo for the sport in Abu Dhabi. Earlier, we reported that three potential new logos – to replace the familiar ‘Flying 1’ logo introduced under Bernie Ecclestone – were being considered. New F1 supremo Chase Carey confirmed that Liberty Media is now ready […]
McLaren ‘veto’ means shark fins banned for 2018
Nov.25 (GMM) McLaren has thrown a spanner in the works as rival formula one teams design their cars for 2018. Earlier, the FIA declared that for 2018, the controversial ‘shark fin’ appendages on this year’s engine covers will be banned. But the teams then decided unanimously to allow shark fins next year. “I thought we […]
Ericsson admits ‘concern’ about losing seat
Nov.24 (GMM) Sauber’s two drivers are facing the prospect of losing their places in formula one after the 2017 finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend. It is almost certain that Charles Leclerc, a Ferrari junior and the new Formula 2 champion, is replacing Pascal Wehrlein for 2018. When asked about that, German Wehrlein said on […]
Massa knows identity of Williams successor
Nov.24 (GMM) Felipe Massa says he already knows who his replacement will be at Williams next year. The Brazilian veteran has been nudged back into retirement for 2018, amid strong speculation it is the returning Robert Kubica who will replace him. However, it is reported that Daniil Kvyat, Pascal Wehrlein, Sergey Sirotkin and Paul di […]
Magnussen hopes 2018 tyres ‘less sensitive’
Nov.24 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen says he is looking forward to trying Pirelli’s new F1 tyres next week. Although the long 2017 season ends after Sunday’s race, the circus is staying behind in Abu Dhabi for a tyre test. It will be the team and drivers’ first chance to try Pirelli’s new ‘super-hard’ and pink-coloured ‘hyper-soft’ […]
Liberty ‘wants Copenhagen race’ – minister
Nov.24 (GMM) Plans for a grand prix on the streets of the Danish capital are still alive. As the world of F1 congregated in Abu Dhabi for the 2017 finale, officials got together in a Copenhagen hotel to discuss plans for a race there in the future. Jyllands Posten, a Danish daily broadsheet, said politician […]
2018 McLaren chassis to be ‘100pc evolution’
Nov.24 (GMM) McLaren’s 2018 car will be an “evolution” of the current one. That is the news from Eric Boullier, the British team’s boss. He told Brazil’s Globo that although McLaren is switching from Honda to Renault power for 2018, the team is happy with its actual chassis. “It has the least power, but we […]
Liberty eyes track changes to improve racing
Nov.24 (GMM) Max Verstappen does not think Liberty Media should push for fundamental changes to be made to the circuits. A report is circulating that claims the sport’s new owner thinks the racing would be better if there were more hairpins, wider tracks and a different asphalt type. But Red Bull driver Verstappen said in […]
Renault turns up power for finale
Nov.24 (GMM) Renault has reportedly decided to take a riskier approach to this weekend’s 2017 finale. Out of spare parts at a reliability-marred tail end of the season for the French marque, Renault decided in Brazil to get through the weekend by turning down the engine power. But Auto Motor und Sport claims the power […]