Oct.19 (GMM) Brendon Hartley has admitted getting up to speed straight away in Austin will be difficult. Toro Rosso owner Red Bull has signed the New Zealander and Le Mans winner to replace Pierre Gasly this weekend, as the Frenchman is racing in Japan. Hartley, a former Red Bull reserve driver who has never raced […]
Saudi Arabia to host Race of Champions
Oct.19 (GMM) F1 drivers will head to Saudi Arabia early next year for the annual Race of Champions. The Saudi capital of Riyadh will be a controversial choice of venue for the motor racing spectacular, with women only just having been given the freedom to drive. Normally, sports events in the desert country are not […]
Red Bull started 2018 car design early – Ricciardo
Oct.19 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says Red Bull got an early start with the design of its car for 2018. Many were surprised when, despite the big regulations change, Red Bull began this season clearly behind F1’s top two teams Mercedes and Ferrari. But the former champions have caught up through the year, with Australian Ricciardo […]
French authorities investigate Liberty takeover
Oct.19 (GMM) French anti-corruption authorities are investigating the FIA over Liberty Media’s acquisition of formula one. The New York Times reports that the body called Parquet National Financier is concerned the Paris-based federation approved the sale of the sport to Liberty despite holding a stake. The FIA denies it was a conflict of interest. “We […]
Gasly thinks Honda relationship will help in 2018
Oct.18 (GMM) Pierre Gasly thinks his experience in working with Honda will help him in formula one next year. The Toro Rosso newcomer is actually skipping this weekend’s US grand prix to try to win the Super Formula title in Japan. Red Bull agreed to release him for one race at the behest of Honda, […]
Hamilton must keep focus to win title – Rosberg
Oct.18 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton should keep his composure to secure victory in this year’s world championship. That is the advice of Nico Rosberg, who beat his former Mercedes teammate to last year’s crown before suddenly retiring. The pair had a difficult relationship at the German team, but Rosberg says he has been impressed with Hamilton’s […]
Paddy Lowe not commenting on Kubica test
Oct.18 (GMM) Paddy Lowe is remaining quiet about Robert Kubica’s chances of joining Williams in 2018. Recently, Pole Kubica followed up his Renault test duties with a run in Williams’ 2014 car at Silverstone. Along with team reserve Paul di Resta, he is reportedly in the running to replace Felipe Massa next year. Now, it […]
F1 engine expert joins Red Bull sponsor Aston Martin
Oct.18 (GMM) Aston Martin appears to have taken another step closer to formula one. A month ago, the British luxury carmaker announced it will step up its deal with Red Bull to become title sponsor for 2018. When asked if an engine deal might be the next step, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: “They […]
McLaren could announce Alonso deal on Thursday
Oct.18 (GMM) McLaren could be mere hours away from announcing that Fernando Alonso is staying with the British team in 2018. Asked if a deal is “close” after weeks and months of speculation, team executive Zak Brown said this week: “We’ve been close for some time. “We wanted to get the Asian races out of […]
Mick Schumacher to stay for second F3 season
Oct.18 (GMM) Mick Schumacher will stay for another season in European F3 next year. The son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher finished his first campaign in the top junior category just twelfth, even behind Adrian Newey’s son Harrison. Mick, 18, admits: “I’m trying to improve in all areas.” In contrast, the even younger Lando Norris […]
Mercedes could change car concept for 2018
Oct.18 (GMM) Mercedes could be set to change direction completely with the concept of its 2018 car. Although fast, this year’s Mercedes has been dubbed a “diva” by team boss Toto Wolff, as it often mysteriously underperforms. “The concept may have come to the end of its development,” an engineer is quoted as saying by […]
McLaren Indycar team ‘years’ away – Brown
Oct.17 (GMM) “Years” will pass before McLaren fields a team in the full Indycar season. That is the view of the British team’s executive Zak Brown. This year, McLaren paired with existing Indycar outfit Andretti to field Fernando Alonso in the Indy 500. But with the team expecting to be more competitive in F1 with […]
Sponsor to switch F1 teams with Sainz
Oct.17 (GMM) A sponsor looks set to follow Carlos Sainz from Toro Rosso to Renault. This weekend in Austin will mark the start of Sainz’s new assignment at the French works team, ahead of a full season with Renault in 2018. The Spaniard’s new teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, is looking forward to it. “Carlos is a […]
Honda relationship ‘difficult’ with Alonso – boss
Oct.17 (GMM) Yusuke Hasegawa admits some of his colleagues at Honda did not appreciate Fernando Alonso’s forthright criticism. After three uncompetitive and unreliable years, the McLaren-Honda partnership will be disbanded after next month’s 2017 finale in Abu Dhabi. Honda F1 boss Hasegawa admits it was three years of high pressure, with Spaniard Alonso applying some […]
Kvyat’s F1 return could be one-off – rumour
Oct.17 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat’s F1 return this weekend could be fleeting. The Russian was recently stepped down by Toro Rosso team owner Red Bull, making way for the debut of Frenchman Pierre Gasly. But as Gasly heads to Japan this weekend to fight for the Super Formula title, Kvyat is returning to action. He will […]
Hamilton-Vettel duel to resume in 2018 – Berger
Oct.16 (GMM) Gerhard Berger is predicting a “big battle” between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel for the 2018 championship. The former F1 driver’s prediction comes as the tension in this year’s title battle fizzles, following Ferrari and Vettel’s horror three-race tour through Asia. But Berger says Vettel should not consider himself “a loser”. “Vettel should […]
Schumacher family should tell ‘truth’ – Weber
Oct.16 (GMM) Michael Schumacher’s former manager thinks the family of the F1 legend should come clean with his millions of fans. Almost four years after the seven time world champion’s skiing crash, almost nothing is known about the extent of the now 48-year-old’s brain injuries. Concurrently, there are unconfirmed rumours Schumacher will be moved from […]
Mayor says Pirelli wants to buy Interlagos
Oct.16 (GMM) Pirelli could be looking to buy the Brazilian grand prix venue at Interlagos. That is the claim of the Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, following a visit to Milan of Sao Paulo mayor Joao Doria. Doria reportedly met with Marco Tronchetti Provera, the president of official F1 supplier Pirelli, an Italian […]
Liberty ‘don’t want me at races’ – Ecclestone
Oct.16 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says Liberty Media is not making him welcome at grands prix. F1’s long-time supremo has attended a handful of races this year, after being stepped down as chief executive by his successor Chase Carey. “Chase sent a message to one of the girls in the office to tell me that they […]
McLaren needs time to catch Red Bull – Boullier
Oct.16 (GMM) McLaren will need some time to catch up with the top Renault-powered team in F1. That is the claim of boss Eric Boullier, as the British team prepares to switch from Honda to customer Renault power for 2018. Fernando Alonso, who is yet to sign a contract for next year, has said it […]