Nov.8 (GMM) Gerhard Berger’s nephew looks set to secure a regular job in formula one. Earlier, top Mercedes-powered DTM driver Lucas Auer tested for the Force India team, as the two parties share a sponsor in the form of pink-coloured Austrian water company BWT. And now, Auto Bild reports that 23-year-old Auer – whose mother […]
Andretti admits eyeing F1 team entry
Nov.8 (GMM) Former F1 driver Michael Andretti has admitted he would like to re-enter the sport as a team owner. Last year, Fernando Alonso tackled the Indy 500 in a joint operation between McLaren and former team driver Andretti’s US based outfit Andretti Autosport. And now, amid speculation a budget cap could be coming in […]
Horner opposed to Friday practice axe
Nov.8 (GMM) Red Bull boss Christian Horner is not sure scrapping Friday practice is the right way forwards for formula one. Recently, we reported that as Liberty Media eyes pushing future calendars beyond the seam-bursting 20 or 21 races, one idea is to turn the format into a two-day weekend. “Obviously they’re trying to free […]
Massa set for ‘sabbatical’ year in 2018
Nov.8 (GMM) Felipe Massa says it is possible he will take a “sabbatical” next year before returning to motor racing in 2019. The Brazilian has announced that, having almost entered retirement this year, he will definitely stop racing in formula one at the end of 2017. “I wanted to go on for another year,” Massa, […]
Toyota not denying Alonso seat fitting
Nov.8 (GMM) Fernando Alonso looks to be shaping up for a Le Mans foray in 2018. This year, the Spaniard tackled the Indy 500, which along with Le Mans and the Monaco grand prix is part of his goal of winning the famed ‘triple crown’. It is already known that Alonso will race at Daytona […]
Four engine makers eyeing 2021 rules
Nov.8 (GMM) Up to four or more engine suppliers may be interested in joining F1 in 2021. Despite early opposition from Mercedes and Ferrari, the sport’s new owners intend to introduce a cheaper, louder and simpler engine formula after the current era ends in 2020. The BBC reports that Ilmor and Cosworth, two independent engine […]
Toro Rosso not worried about Honda switch
Nov.7 (GMM) Franz Tost says he is looking forward to Toro Rosso’s switch to works Honda power for 2018. McLaren has dumped the Japanese engine manufacturer after a failed three-year collaboration, switching instead to the customer Renault deal enjoyed currently by Toro Rosso. But Tost, the Toro Rosso team boss, says the Faenza based team […]
Hamilton named in major tax scandal
Nov.7 (GMM) World champion Lewis Hamilton has found himself at the centre of an international tax avoidance scandal. A trove of documents known as the ‘Paradise Papers’ reveals that the Mercedes driver as well as wealthy peers including Bono, Apple, Nike and even the Queen avoid tax through a series of secret offshore deals. The […]
Whiting rejects need for permanent F1 stewards
Nov.6 (GMM) Gunther Steiner thinks F1 needs a panel of permanent race stewards. Currently, the stewards panel changes at every race, and Haas team boss Steiner thinks that is why so many recent decisions have been so controversial. “Every time, decisions are being made differently and this sometimes hurts the small teams more,” he told […]
Liberty, FIA helped broker ‘complex’ deal – Brown
Nov.6 (GMM) Liberty Media and the FIA helped to keep Fernando Alonso at McLaren and Honda in formula one. That is the admission of Zak Brown, the McLaren executive. He is referring to the complex recent negotiations about 2018, with McLaren and Honda splitting, Renault signing Carlos Sainz and the formation of Toro Rosso-Honda. “Liberty […]
McLaren set to announce 2018 reserve driver
Nov.6 (GMM) The driver market is still simmering at the tail end of 2017. Over the weekend, Felipe Massa announced his second and final retirement, with Robert Kubica, Paul di Resta, Pascal Wehrlein and Daniil Kvyat in the mix to replace him. But the next announcement is actually expected to come out of McLaren, who […]
Pirelli to introduce sixth tyre in 2018
Nov.6 (GMM) Pirelli is planning to introduce a sixth tyre compound for 2018. Auto Motor und Sport said the new, extra compound – a sort of ‘ultra ultra-soft’ tyre – will be at the softest end of the official F1 supplier’s range. But it is suggested that all the current compounds will be a step […]
Perez ‘surprised’ by teammate Ocon’s 2017 pace
Nov.6 (GMM) Sergio Perez has admitted he was impressed by the performance of his rookie Force India teammate Esteban Ocon this year. The pair will line up for the Silverstone based team again in 2018, despite a recent ban preventing them from racing one another after a series of clashes. Mexican Perez told France’s Auto […]
Rosberg rules out F1 comeback
Nov.6 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has once again dismissed any claims he might be thinking about returning to F1. Days after winning his 2016 title, the German decided to quit the sport completely and Rosberg now says he is still happy with his call. “A comeback is out of the question,” he is quoted by DPA […]
No ‘excuse’ for being behind Verstappen – Ricciardo
Nov.6 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says he has no “excuse” for being regularly humbled by his young teammate Max Verstappen this year. Although Verstappen has had the lion’s share of the poor reliability at Renault-powered Red Bull this year, it is the Dutchman who has been shining the brightest recently. “I do not give any excuses,” […]
Mercedes, Ferrari hit back at Liberty plans
Nov.6 (GMM) Top teams Ferrari and Mercedes are pushing back against Liberty Media’s plans to modernise formula one. Ferrari is threatening to quit the sport after new F1 owners Liberty announced their intention to substantially change the engine rules for 2021. Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone thinks the threat is real. “If the regulations come […]
Marchionne issues new Ferrari quit threat
Nov.3 (GMM) President Sergio Marchionne has threatened to pull Ferrari out of formula one. The threat comes after new F1 owner Liberty Media announced plans to change the engine regulations beyond 2020, and just days before details of a planned 2019 ‘budget cap’ are to be announced. Germany’s specialist Auto Motor und Sport reports that […]
Vettel to skip 2018 Race of Champions
Nov.3 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has counted himself out of next year’s running of the well-known Race of Champions event. Fans of the fun annual event were surprised recently when it was announced that it would be held next January in the controversial Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Vettel is a Race of Champions regular, reportedly having […]
Vettel ‘not afraid of Hamilton’
Nov.2 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is already setting his sights on stopping Lewis Hamilton from winning yet another title in 2018. In Mexico, Mercedes’ Hamilton matched Vettel’s career tally by securing his fourth drivers’ crown. “Only very few athletes on the planet have four world championship titles in their pockets, so that must be honoured,” Ferrari […]
Boss admits Haas may have started 2018 car too early
Nov.2 (GMM) Gunther Steiner said only time will tell if Haas’ decision to abandon the 2017 car project quite early was the right one. The American team’s boss made an early call this year to move the focus to the 2018 car, which is hurting performance at the end of this season. “We took a […]