Feb.24 (GMM) Mercedes will add a ‘shark fin’ to its newly-launched 2017 car for the forthcoming official testing in Barcelona. When the W08 was launched at Silverstone on Thursday, it was notable that – unlike the similarly-revealed Williams, Sauber, Williams and Renault – it was missing an engine cover ‘shark fin’. But Mercedes’ technical boss […]
Mercedes to keep ‘driver rules’ in 2017
Feb.24 (GMM) Mercedes will continue to have written ‘rules of engagement’ for the battle between its F1 drivers. In recent years, the acrimony between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg meant that detailed guidelines about their on-track battles was enshrined in what became known in the paddock as ‘the bible’. But even with retiring Rosberg’s replacement […]
Force India thinks Melbourne protest possible
Feb.23 (GMM) Force India thinks rumours of official protests in Melbourne over an argument about suspension systems could be right. A spat has broken out between Mercedes and Red Bull on one side and Ferrari on the other over the legality of ‘active suspension’-mimicking systems. “I think it’s possible we’ll have a protest,” Force India […]
Mallya hits back at extradition moves
Feb.23 (GMM) Vijay Mallya has hit out at the Indian media, a day after his F1 team’s 2017 car was revealed to the world. The embattled businessman has high hopes for this season, rebuking Renault chief Cyril Abiteboul who doubts Force India can keep up with the pace of development amid F1’s new technical regulations […]
No late livery change for Renault
Feb.23 (GMM) Renault has shot down a rumour that it might be considering a livery change for the start of the season in Melbourne. A year ago, as the French carmaker returned to the sport as a full constructor, it launched a black test car only for it to switch to all-yellow for the actual […]
Bottas has ‘chance’ to beat Hamilton – Prost
Feb.23 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has a “good chance” to take on triple world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2017. That is the view of F1 legend Alain Prost, while other observers wonder if Mercedes newcomer Bottas is up to the challenge of a head-to-head with Hamilton at the sport’s dominant team. “I think Valtteri has a […]
Ferrari won’t win 2017 title – Prost
Feb.23 (GMM) Alain Prost does not think a Ferrari driver will win the world championship in 2017. Despite high expectations, the fabled Italian team failed to win even a single race in 2016. But now the technical regulations are changing radically, with former Ferrari driver Prost commenting: “When the rules and the cars change a […]
Verstappen ready for F1 title – Marko
Feb.23 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko thinks Max Verstappen is ready to battle for the F1 title. This week, 19-year-old Max’s father Jos said he thinks the young Dutchman needs another year before Red Bull is ready to take on Mercedes. But Marko, who is Red Bull’s driver manager, said on the Dutch programme Jinek: “Now […]
F1 legend Stuck likes 2017 cars
Feb.23 (GMM) As the new generation of F1 cars are steadily unveiled this week, German legend Hans-Joachim Stuck likes what he sees. So far, Williams, Sauber, Renault and now Force India have shown off their new cars that are tipped to be up to 6 seconds per lap faster than in 2016. “It’s the right […]
Zanardi not sure Ferrari ready to win
Feb.23 (GMM) Alex Zanardi is not sure Ferrari is ready to ace the new regulations in 2017. Like many fans, the former F1 driver is looking forward to the reveal of the new red car, following a disappointing campaign last year. “I have no doubt the men at Maranello are extremely keen to redeem themselves […]
F1 teams face split over income – source
Feb.23 (GMM) F1 teams could be set to split into two camps, as a new row about income distribution threatens to break out. How the sport’s vast revenues are distributed is a thorny topic up and down pitlane, with Red Bull arguing this week that it deserves to keep receiving more than the small teams […]
Big teams deserve more money – Marko
Feb.22 (GMM) Bigger teams deserve more income because they give more to the sport. That is the claim of Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko, as the European Commission considers whether to investigate the sport’s practices and amid new owner Liberty Media’s plans for the next commercial contracts beyond 2020. Some, however, think the small teams […]
Mercedes ‘curious’ to see Honda progress
Feb.22 (GMM) Mercedes’ engine chief has admitted to being “curious” to spot Honda’s progress of the winter period. While Mercedes has utterly dominated the ‘power unit’ era, Honda notably struggled in 2015 and 2016 at the beginning of the works partnership with McLaren. And Andy Cowell, who is the engine boss at Mercedes, agrees with […]
Villeneuve tips Vettel to shine in 2017
Feb.22 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve has tipped Sebastian Vettel to be a standout performer in 2017. More widely, pundits are naming the Mercedes and Red Bull drivers as the likely pacesetters this year. But 1997 title winner Villeneuve said fans should also be watching a red car. “Sebastian’s driving style fits perfectly with the new cars,” […]
Ferrari splits with reserve Vergne
Feb.22 (GMM) Jean-Eric Vergne has confirmed that he will no longer work with Ferrari in 2017. Earlier, the former Toro Rosso driver was Ferrari’s reserve driver, but that role has been filled for this year by GP2 runner-up and Italian Antonio Giovinazzi. “It was clear from the beginning that I would not continue as reserve […]
Renault eyes Spanish driver for future
Feb.22 (GMM) Renault has admitted it might be interested in signing up a Spanish driver in the future. With Carlos Sainz having revealed that Red Bull blocked him from accepting an offer from Renault for 2017, the Spanish press got excited this week when the French works team unveiled Spanish company Mapfre as a new […]
Marchionne plays down loss of engineers
Feb.22 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne has played down some high-profile personnel losses at Ferrari. Ferrari took a step back in 2016 and some believe the fabled Italian team is now handicapped by some of its inefficient practices of the past. President Marchionne, however, is more upbeat, even though he is refusing to set public goals for […]
I still believe in Ferrari – Vettel
Feb.22 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel says he still ‘believes’ in his dream of becoming world champion with Ferrari. After the fabled team took a step backwards in 2016, current world champion Nico Rosberg said Vettel must now be considering linking up with Mercedes for 2018. But German Vettel said he is sticking with his Ferrari plan. […]
Prost becomes Renault team advisor
Feb.22 (GMM) F1 legend Alain Prost has stepped up his role with the works Renault team for 2017. Earlier, the quadruple world champion was simply a brand ambassador, but he will now be a consultant or advisor. “It is important that Renault is competitive and will win races eventually,” said the 61-year-old. “My role is […]
F1 team could ‘do a Brawn’ – Palmer
Feb.22 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer is not ruling out the possibility a F1 team could “do a Brawn” in 2017. He is referring to 2009, when after Honda suddenly withdrew from F1, Ross Brawn’s new privateer team stunned the F1 world by winning the title thanks to the ‘double diffuser’ innovation. Actually, Palmer’s works Renault team […]