Nov.2 (GMM) Ferrari is not ruling out using its controversial ‘veto’ to block Liberty Media’s plans for the future of F1. Already, it is believed manufacturers Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault are opposing the new F1 owner’s plans to make substantial changes to the engine rules for 2021. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has accused […]
Red Bull is true ‘top team’ for Verstappen – father
Nov.2 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s father is confident the 20-year-old has selected a true “top team” to race for through 2020. The young Dutch sensation had been linked with potential moves to Mercedes or Ferrari, but instead extended his stay at Red Bull for the next three years. And former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, Max’s father […]
Mercedes not happy with 2021 engine concept – Wolff
Nov.1 (GMM) Mercedes has come out in opposition to Liberty Media’s proposed new engine formula for 2021. On Tuesday, the German marque as well as Ferrari, Renault, Honda and other manufacturers including Porsche got together to hear the new F1 owner’s plans for the next-generation engine. Liberty wants the 2021 engine to be louder, cheaper, […]
Gravel traps not ‘simple’ answer – Alonso
Nov.1 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has sided with F1 race director Charlie Whiting over the issue of getting rid of the circuits’ asphalt run-off zones. Drivers abusing ‘track limits’ has been a hot topic in recent days, but Max Verstappen – at the centre of a major controversy after the US grand prix – thinks he […]
Former engineer says Ferrari must end ‘crisis’
Nov.1 (GMM) Ferrari too easily slips into a “crisis” that it then finds difficult to escape from. That is the view of former top Ferrari engineer Toni Cuquerella, as he assessed the recent collapse of Sebastian Vettel’s 2017 title challenge. “Ferrari were much more competitive than in previous years,” he wrote in El Pais newspaper. […]
Alonso can win 2018 title – Fittipaldi
Nov.1 (GMM) F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi thinks Fernando Alonso could have a title-winning car on his hands next year. The once-great British team is switching from Honda to Renault power for 2018, and Fittipaldi thinks that could be the boost Spaniard Alonso is needing. “I think it will be much better,” Fittipaldi, a two-time world […]
2018 Mercedes will suit Bottas better – Lauda
Nov.1 (GMM) Mercedes is promising to build a car more suitable for Valtteri Bottas’ driving style in 2018. That is the claim of team chairman and co-owner Niki Lauda, who thinks he understands why the gap between the Finn and 2017 champion Lewis Hamilton gradually widened this year. “At the start, the car was suitable […]
Red Bull can wait for Ricciardo decision – Horner
Nov.1 (GMM) Red Bull is prepared to wait for Daniel Ricciardo to make his decision about staying with the team beyond 2018. The energy drink company’s premier F1 team has locked down Max Verstappen with a new contract until 2020, prompting some to think that Australian Ricciardo may now look for an alternative. Indeed, Dr […]
Sauber decides to drop Wehrlein for 2018 – report
Oct.31 (GMM) Sauber has reportedly decided to drop Pascal Wehrlein from its 2018 driver lineup. Earlier, amid rumours the Swiss team wanted to keep at least one of its existing drivers next year, it appeared it could be Marcus Ericsson that is shown the door. But the Swede has strong ties to Sauber’s new owners, […]
Renault reliability ‘unacceptable’ – Hulkenberg
Oct.31 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says Renault’s lack of reliability has become “unacceptable”. Indeed, it was nothing short of a horror weekend for the French marque in Mexico, with Viry-made power units failing not only at the works team but also customers Red Bull and Toro Rosso. Even the winner, Max Verstappen, was nervous as he […]
Alonso keen to test Renault engine
Oct.31 (GMM) He may have two Honda-powered grands prix still ahead of him, but Fernando Alonso is already looking ahead to next year’s pre-season tests. He hinted to Spain’s Cadena Ser radio that he is relieved McLaren’s Honda era is finally ending, and got a taste of what could be next after duelling with new […]
Hamilton expects ‘easy’ contract talks
Oct.31 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton thinks talks about his next Mercedes contract will be “easy”. Earlier, although the Briton had hinted he wanted to stay a further three years after 2018, team chiefs said Hamilton should instead concentrate on the 2017 title battle. So with his fourth championship now in his pocket, the 32-year-old again appears […]
Williams admits Kvyat in running for 2018 seat
Oct.30 (GMM) Williams has confirmed that Daniil Kvyat could be in the running for a 2018 seat. As the candidates continue to line up, it becomes increasingly clearer that team boss Paddy Lowe has essentially decided that Felipe Massa will not stay. And the Brazilian veteran is increasingly frustrated about that. “I’m totally happy with […]
Briatore backs Liberty’s budget cap
Oct.30 (GMM) Flavio Briatore thinks F1’s new owners Liberty Media are doing the right thing to modernise the sport. Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has told the Italian press he is prepared to “fight” for Maranello’s interests, as rumours gain speed of simpler engines, limited budgets and standardised parts to close the field in the future. […]
Marchionne slams Ecclestone ‘hogwash’
Oct.30 (GMM) Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has hit back at Bernie Ecclestone following the former F1 supremo’s controversial comments of last week. Marchionne said the newly 87-year-old Ecclestone’s claim that Ferrari received help to be more competitive from the former F1 boss, the FIA and even Mercedes is “hogwash”. “I think it’s called pure hogwash,” […]
Hamilton title win ‘very easy’ – Alonso
Oct.30 (GMM) Despite a difficult race in Mexico, Lewis Hamilton cruised to an “easy” championship win in 2017. That is the view of Fernando Alonso, who put up a strong fight against the Briton’s Mercedes on Sunday as Hamilton battled through the pack after a first lap puncture. “I think Lewis now knows how good […]
Force India would release Ocon to Mercedes
Oct.29 (GMM) Force India has acknowledged it may lose Esteban Ocon after 2018. The impressive young Frenchman is staying alongside Sergio Perez next year, but he also remains part of the Mercedes driver programme. And with Valtteri Bottas having struggled at times in the second part of 2017, Mercedes could be looking to replace the […]
Tost, Sainz tip Kvyat to rebuild F1 career
Oct.29 (GMM) Franz Tost and Carlos Sainz have tipped Daniil Kvyat to bounce back from his axe from the Red Bull programme. The young Russian quickly scaled the peak of the energy drink company’s infamous junior programme, but has now joined the scores of others who were ultimately ousted. In contrast, his former teammate Carlos […]
Hamilton ‘best possible ambassador’ for F1 – Carey
Oct.29 (GMM) Chase Carey says he is delighted with the likely outcome of Sunday’s Mexican grand prix. Although Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel could win from pole, it is Mercedes’ Hamilton who is almost guaranteed his fourth career drivers’ title. “He is the best ambassador one can wish for in formula one,” Carey, the new F1 chief […]
Wolff says Ecclestone collusion claims ‘nonsense’
Oct.29 (GMM) Toto Wolff has described as “nonsense” claims that Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA and Mercedes have helped Ferrari to be more competitive. The claims were made this week by none other than former F1 supremo Ecclestone himself, who said all parties benefit from a Ferrari team that is at the front. Christian Horner, the […]