Oct.1 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says he isn’t sure if he will vacate his new F1 seat next month to take a shot at winning the 2017 Super Formula title. As GP2 champion, the Frenchman was sent to Japan this year by backer Red Bull as he waited for a vacancy at the junior F1 team […]
Hamilton should ‘rethink’ political tactics – Wolff
Sep.30 (GMM) Toto Wolff has told Lewis Hamilton to “rethink” his public political stance about controversial US president Donald Trump. On social media, the Mercedes driver recently admitted he is siding with American NFL football players who are choosing to ‘take a knee’ during renditions of the US national anthem. And now at Sepang, Hamilton […]
Leclerc admits eyeing 2019 Ferrari seat
Sep.30 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has admitted he has an eye on a potential Ferrari seat for 2019. The young Monaco-born driver has revved up his chances of a 2018 debut with a series of Friday appearances for Sauber, the Ferrari-powered Swiss team. Along with Antonio Giovinazzi, Leclerc is Ferrari’s top junior driver and the Italian […]
Gasly release for Super Formula finale not decided
Sep.30 (GMM) Red Bull has not decided if Pierre Gasly will be released to fight for the Japanese Super Formula title next month. As the French rookie makes his debut at Sepang, it was rumoured axed Daniil Kvyat could return to his Toro Rosso for Austin. That’s because Gasly has contested the full Super Formula […]
Alonso contract being written – Boullier
Sep.30 (GMM) A contract binding Fernando Alonso to McLaren-Renault for 2018 is being drafted. That is the news from team boss Eric Boullier, tying in with the Spanish driver’s comments in Sepang that an announcement could be made before the US grand prix next month. It is believed Alonso’s huge retainer has been agreed, but […]
Rivals furious as FIA chief joins Renault
Sep.30 (GMM) A huge controversy has emerged as FIA technical boss Marcin Budkowski looks set to join the Renault team. Budkowski, a 40-year-old Pole, was tipped to take over from F1 race director Charlie Whiting, but instead he has gone on three months of ‘gardening leave’. The big rumour in the Sepang paddock is that […]
Bottas to make own team order decisions – Hamilton
Sep.29 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he does not expect teammate Valtteri Bottas to be his ‘number 2’ for the rest of the 2017 season. Most insiders would agree that the 2017 title battle is now between Hamilton and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. But Hamilton said that doesn’t mean he expects the sister Mercedes car to pull […]
Sainz to ‘finish season with Toro Rosso’
Sep.29 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he is staying in his Toro Rosso seat for the rest of 2018. In the weeks before Malaysia, there were rumours the Spaniard would make his move to Renault before this season is concluded, to make way for Pierre Gasly’s debut. But Gasly is instead debuting in the ousted Daniil […]
Palmer eyeing ‘long term’ Indycar switch for 2018
Sep.29 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer has admitted he is eyeing a potential switch to Indycar for 2018. After a tough couple of seasons with Renault, the son of former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer will be replaced by Carlos Sainz next year. Palmer, 26, admits it could be the end of his F1 career for now. “If […]
Hamilton eyes Mercedes contract talks
Sep.28 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he would like to negotiate a new contract with Mercedes. Throughout 2017, the triple world champion has been sending mixed messages about his future — hinting about a new deal beyond 2018 and then suggesting he could retire. Asked to explain that contradiction, the Briton said in Malaysia: “Racing really […]
Kvyat will ‘maybe’ return in 2017 – Gasly
Sep.29 (GMM) Pierre Gasly has confirmed reports he is not sure how many races he will contest for Toro Rosso this year. What is fairly certain is that the 21-year-old Frenchman will be Carlos Sainz’s full-time replacement at the junior Red Bull team next year. But for now, the man he has ousted in Malaysia […]
Wehrlein more optimistic about F1 future
Sep.28 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein thinks his chances of staying in F1 next year are now “quite good”. Earlier, the Mercedes-backed German seemed resigned to losing his place at Sauber, as the Swiss team ramps up its relationship with Ferrari. But now, the big rumour is that Marcus Ericsson could be the driver set to lose […]
Stroll unsure of 2018 Williams teammate
Sep.29 (GMM) Lance Stroll says he is getting on with his job rather than worrying about who his teammate will be in 2018. With Felipe Massa’s future unclear, Williams has one of the highest profile cockpit vacancies for next year. Headlining the list of candidates are Robert Kubica, Paul di Resta, Jolyon Palmer, Marcus Ericsson […]
Vandoorne happy as Honda slows 2017 development
Sep.29 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne says he is comfortable with Honda’s approach to the final six races of its McLaren adventure. After the McLaren-Honda divorce was announced in Singapore, Honda chief Yusuke Hasegawa said the Japanese marque would slow down the rate of engine improvements offered to McLaren in order to avoid grid penalties. McLaren driver […]
‘Culture’ explains F1’s Sepang demise – Ricciardo
Sep.29 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo thinks “culture” has a lot to do with F1’s demise in Malaysia. This weekend, after almost two decades on the calendar, Malaysia is farewelling its grand prix after deciding not to renew its contract with formula one. One argument given by the Malaysian government is that more spectators come to Sepang […]
Too early to predict Aston Martin-powered future – Ricciardo
Sep.29 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says it is too early to predict a Honda or Aston Martin-powered future for Red Bull. The Australian openly admits that with his contract ending late next year, he is not ruling out a move to a more competitive team. A major issue is Red Bull’s engine supplier. The current relationship […]
Alonso eyes new McLaren deal before Austin
Sep.29 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he will turn his attention towards a new contract for 2018 after the forthcoming F1 double-header in Malaysia and Japan. The Spaniard actually left Singapore a fortnight ago hinting that days spent at the McLaren factory last week would involve talks about next season. But now, he says there will […]
Driving style doesn’t match Mercedes car – Bottas
Sep.29 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has identified his driving style as the reason for his recent struggle. In recent races, although the Finn has secured a new Mercedes contract for 2018, he has struggled to match the pace of championship leader Lewis Hamilton. “In Singapore I didn’t have Lewis’ pace in either qualifying or the race,” […]
2017 championship ‘not decided yet’ – Brawn
Sep.28 (GMM) Ross Brawn has backed Sebastian Vettel’s view that the Ferrari driver is still in the title hunt. Vettel’s hopes took a big hit in Singapore, with the German widely blamed for a first-corner crash that blew out his points deficit to Lewis Hamilton to 28 points. But there are six races to go […]
Verstappen says he’s faster than Ricciardo
Sep.28 (GMM) Max Verstappen thinks he is driving better than his teammate Daniel Ricciardo this year. That is despite the fact the young Dutchman has not scored even half the amount of points compared to his fellow Red Bull driver Ricciardo. But Verstappen says it’s all about the reliability of his car. “What can I […]