Jul.15 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he will be happy to stay at Toro Rosso next year. Just a week ago, the Spaniard was publicly criticised by his Red Bull bosses after saying it was “unlikely” he would stay at the energy drink company’s junior team in 2018. Red Bull’s anger was probably because they had […]
Wolff plays down attending Vettel party
Jul.15 (GMM) Toto Wolff has played down his attendance at Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel’s recent 30th birthday party. A British newspaper this week said Lewis Hamilton’s conspicuous absence at the F1 event in London could have been because he was furious with his Mercedes boss. Around the time of Vettel’s birthday, the German had to […]
Alonso keeps open mind about ‘Shield’
Jul.15 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he retains an open mind about ‘Shield’, after the cockpit protection concept made its track debut at Silverstone. However, the transparent windscreen innovation didn’t last long aboard Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari. “We had a run planned but I didn’t like it so we took it off,” he said. “I got a […]
Vandoorne ‘not worried’ about McLaren exit
Jul.14 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne says he is not worried he might lose his McLaren seat at the end of the season. Although strong throughout his junior career, the Belgian rookie has regularly struggled to shine alongside teammate Fernando Alonso in 2017. “I think everyone knows our weaknesses this year,” the 25-year-old said at Silverstone. “Because […]
Wheel tether lands Toro Rosso in FIA trouble
Jul.14 (GMM) Toro Rosso found itself in trouble with the FIA ahead of the British grand prix. After Thursday scrutineering, Silverstone stewards took the unusual step of actually publishing a photo of the damaged and partially repaired ‘tethers’ designed to keep Carlos Sainz’s wheels from detaching in a crash. The FIA said Toro Rosso “refused […]
Vettel keeps open mind about ‘Shield’
Jul.14 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel was keeping an open mind before giving the ‘Shield’ cockpit protection design its track debut at Silverstone. The German’s Ferrari has been fitted with the open-topped, polycarbonate windshield for the opening laps of Friday practice ahead of the British grand prix. F1’s governing body says either the Shield or the controversial […]
Vettel calls for jump start rules rethink
Jul.14 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has called for a rules rethink regarding jump starts in F1. A week ago in Austria, the Ferrari driver disputed the FIA’s insistence that Valtteri Bottas did not jump the start. The current rules permit some movement of the car after the fifth light goes on, allowing for the engagement of […]
Massa wants to stay at Williams
Jul.14 (GMM) Felipe Massa says he is happy to stay at Williams in 2018. This year, the British team pulled the Brazilian out of his brief retirement to replace Mercedes-bound Valtteri Bottas. Team boss Claire Williams said recently she can imagine Massa, 36, staying next year. “At the moment, I see no reason why I […]
Ocon admits blocking Perez fans on Twitter
Jul.14 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he had to block some of Sergio Perez’s fans on Twitter. Recently, the Force India teammates have been at loggerheads over team orders in Montreal and a clash of wheels in Baku. As a result, Frenchman Ocon says he was abused on social media by some Mexican fans. “I blocked […]
Rosberg rules out Ferrari comeback
Jul.14 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has ruled out returning to F1 next year with Ferrari. With the Maranello team openly considering replacing Kimi Raikkonen for 2018, reigning world champion Rosberg’s name has been mentioned as a candidate. But the retired former Mercedes driver said: “No, it will not happen. “It’s an honour that so much is […]
Hulkenberg happy with Kubica or Alonso for 2018
Jul.14 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has admitted that Robert Kubica could be his teammate in 2018. Pole Kubica’s hopes of a popular F1 comeback are racing ahead, following his tests at Valencia and Paul Ricard, and a run in the 2017 car in the simulator. Next, it is rumoured the former team driver will get a […]
Ferrari will decide future – Raikkonen
Jul.14 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says Ferrari will decide his future in F1. A year ago, the Maranello team extended the Finn’s contract for another season, but now president Sergio Marchionne has admitted Ferrari is considering a change. Raikkonen said: “The situation is the same as it was a year ago. You must ask Ferrari if […]
Ecclestone admits Singapore GP in doubt
Jul.14 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has admitted next year’s Singapore grand prix might not go ahead. The night race on the streets of the city-state is one of the most popular events on the calendar, but a provisional ‘asterisk’ has been put alongside its date for 2018. Ousted former F1 supremo Ecclestone told Brazil’s Globo: “Malaysia […]
Vettel plays down Silverstone engine boost
Jul.14 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has played down reports Ferrari will have a new engine specification this weekend at Silverstone. Germany’s Bild newspaper claims the championship leader’s campaign will get a 15 horse power boost, but Vettel insisted: “I don’t know if it will make a big difference. “It was a planned change but it shouldn’t […]
Perez not committing to Force India for 2018
Jul.14 (GMM) Sergio Perez is not ready to commit to Force India for 2018. Last year, the Mexican turned down an offer from Renault but now he admits the driver market looks more interesting ahead of next season. “It’s too early to talk about it,” he told the Spanish daily Marca at Silverstone. “But for […]
Alonso has ‘nothing to say’ about future
Jul.14 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has “nothing to say” about his future. In the few days between Austria and Silverstone, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has played down reports Alonso might return, while McLaren’s Eric Boullier said the British team needs a fully committed driver for 2018. And Flavio Briatore, involved in Alonso’s management, was quoted as […]
Sauber-Honda engine deal in doubt – Ericsson
Jul.14 (GMM) Marcus Ericsson has admitted the identity of Sauber’s engine supplier for 2018 is in doubt. Earlier, the Swiss team inked a contract to become Honda’s first F1 customer, but rumours suggest the deal could now be scrapped. “To be honest, a lot has happened over the past few days,” Swedish driver Ericsson said. […]
Honda denies considering F1 exit
Jul.14 (GMM) Honda has denied claims the Japanese manufacturer is considering pulling out of formula one. Rumours of a McLaren-Honda divorce were already rife, but now there are claims Honda is considering pulling out of its 2018 customer deal with Sauber. “This is the first matter I will work on,” new Sauber boss Frederic Vasseur […]
Hamilton’s rivals question London absence
Jul.14 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s rivals say they do not understand his decision to skip the London demonstration this week. As he arrived at Silverstone for the British grand prix, the local hero defended his decision to be the only F1 driver to skip the promotional event. Recalling a similar event in his native Holland, however, […]
25 races ‘not bad’ for F1 staff – Brawn
Jul.13 (GMM) Ross Brawn is not ruling out an expansion of the F1 calendar to include 25 races. Recently, after Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso threatened to quit if there are 25 races in the future, F1 CEO Chase Carey said his first priority is to make the 21-race schedule for 2018 as successful as […]