Sep.15 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he is comfortable with his new one-year Mercedes contract. The Finn was an eleventh-hour signing to replace Nico Rosberg this year, but has now been given yet another one-year deal amid rumours Mercedes wants Max Verstappen for 2019. “I understand that Mercedes keeps its options open,” Bottas said in Singapore. […]
Hulkenberg laughs at F1 record in Singapore
Sep.15 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg is set to take over an unenviable record in formula one. In Singapore, the German is set to beat countryman Adrian Sutil’s mantle as the driver with the most grand prix starts – 128 – without a single podium. “I have waited a long time and worked really hard to have […]
Honda future makes Red Bull drivers nervous
Sep.15 (GMM) Red Bull and its engine supplier Renault will reportedly split after the 2018 season. The shock news emerged as the teams set up ahead of the Singapore grand prix, and just as Honda’s move from McLaren to the junior Red Bull team Toro Rosso was about to be also announced. Some reports say […]
F1 keeps engine penalties in place for now
Sep.15 (GMM) F1 has decided against immediately acting on the issue of grid penalties for engine changes. Fans and many of the sport’s insiders argue that what happened at Monza, where the grid was confusingly mashed up by a spate of complex penalties, was unacceptable. “The penalties today are completely on another level and unfair […]
Palmer pushing to keep 2017 Renault seat
Sep.15 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer says he intends to keep his Renault seat at least for the rest of the 2017 season. Although confirmation is still lacking, strong rumours in Singapore suggest the French team wants to kick off its new 2018 lineup of Carlos Sainz alongside Nico Hulkenberg as early as the next race in […]
Honda still ‘committed’ to F1 – Carey
Sep.14 (GMM) Chase Carey thinks Honda remain “committed” to formula one. That is despite the fact it is believed McLaren will imminently confirm its split with the Japanese engine supplier, after three years of struggle. However, even FIA president Jean Todt and Liberty Media’s Ross Brawn are believed to have intervened, in order to help […]
Kvyat letting Toro Rosso focus on Honda news
Sep.14 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he is happy to wait for news about his future in F1. The Russian touched down in Singapore for this weekend’s race fielding questions about his Toro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz’s strongly-rumoured switch to Renault. “It’s perfect for me,” Kvyat smiled. “I don’t have to answer any stupid questions.” It […]
2018 engine rule change ‘a mistake’ – Lauda
Sep.14 (GMM) Mercedes has now backed Red Bull in pushing for a change to the engine rules for 2018. Earlier, with swathes of penalties raining confusion over the order of the grids at recent races, Red Bull’s Christian Horner argued for a change for next year. In 2018, drivers are scheduled to make do with […]
Pirelli chief tips Ferrari to win in Singapore
Sep.14 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel could reclaim his lead of the world championship this weekend in Singapore. That is the view of Marco Tronchetti Provera, who is the CEO of F1’s official tyre supplier Pirelli. The Italian admits that although Pirelli remains neutral, he is happy Ferrari has caught up with world champions Mercedes this year. […]
Buemi’s F1 absence ‘a scandal’ – Prost
Sep.14 (GMM) F1 legend Alain Prost says it’s “a scandal” that Sebastien Buemi is no longer on the grid. Since losing his Toro Rosso seat, the now 28-year-old Swiss became a top sports car and Formula E driver, and in July helped Pirelli test F1 tyres at Paul Ricard. Also in July, there were rumours […]
Mercedes keeping ‘options open’ for 2019 – Wolff
Sep.14 (GMM) A new one-year contract for Valtteri Bottas has kindled fresh speculation Max Verstappen could be headed to Mercedes for 2019. Team boss Toto Wolff, who admits to having coffee with Red Bull driver Verstappen’s father Jos at Monza, confirmed that Finn Bottas’ newly-announced deal is for 2018 only. “We are very happy with […]
Ricciardo to consider leaving Red Bull after 2018
Sep.14 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo says he will consider leaving Red Bull if the energy drink owned team can’t deliver him a title challenging car in 2018. The Australian has driven for the team since 2014, and before that Red Bull’s junior outfit Toro Rosso. But he told the Sun newspaper that as he will be […]
No new Singapore GP contract yet – Carey
Sep.13 (GMM) Chase Carey says he wants Singapore to stay on the F1 calendar. The spectacular night race in the Asian city-state has become one of the most popular stops on the annual F1 calendar. But a deal beyond this weekend’s event has not yet been agreed, with Singapore being allocated mere provisional status on […]
Wolff races 1990 DTM car in Germany
Sep.13 (GMM) Toto Wolff made his return to competitive motor racing last weekend at the Nurburgring. The Mercedes boss drove a 1990 Mercedes 190 DTM in a race against other historic cars, including one driven by former F1 driver Christian Danner. However, the 45-year-old Austrian actually promised his wife Susie some years ago that he […]
Kubica eyeing F1 options beyond Renault
Sep.13 (GMM) Robert Kubica is exploring his options at other teams for 2018. The news comes amid widespread reports the French works team Renault is set to pair current Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz with Nico Hulkenberg next year. Kubica had been a contender for a 2018 seat after a spate of tests, but boss […]
Mercedes not re-thinking F1 project until 2020
Sep.13 (GMM) Mercedes is not yet thinking about its future in F1 beyond 2020. That is the claim of Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of the German carmaker’s parent Daimler. Mercedes’ future in motor racing has been the subject of recent speculation, after it announced its impending withdrawal from DTM and decision to join Formula E […]
Honda deal failure ‘McLaren’s fault’ – Ecclestone
Sep.13 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that the complex McLaren-Renault deal is “done”. Although no longer the hands-on F1 supremo, the sport’s 86-year-old ‘chairman emeritus’ told the Daily Mail newspaper he has no doubt the McLaren-Honda split has paved the way for Fernando Alonso to stay in the sport. “The Renault deal is all done,” […]
Renault could not supply four teams – Stoll
Sep.13 (GMM) The world of F1 is heading to Singapore expecting news about the McLaren-Honda split to become official. It is now an open secret that McLaren will instead team up with Renault, in a complex deal that involves Toro Rosso taking over the Honda deal. Asked why Renault simply didn’t add a fourth team […]
Sainz still waiting for news about future
Sep.13 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he is still waiting for news about his future in F1. Widespread reports say the Spaniard is definitely heading from Toro Rosso to the works Renault team for 2018, and maybe even from Malaysia next month to replace the point-less Jolyon Palmer. But Sainz, 23, is confirming nothing. “Maybe I […]
Liberty eyes F1 budget cap for 2021
Sep.13 (GMM) Liberty Media is looking to introduce a budget cap of EUR 150 million per team from 2021. Germany’s Sport Bild reports that the new F1 owner intends to bring in the dramatic rule to compliment the cheaper engine rules, with teams then allowed to spend a further EUR 50 million on marketing, hospitality […]