Sep.2 (GMM) High-level meetings at Monza could affect the future of Max Verstappen in formula one. Bild newspaper reports that the Red Bull driver’s father Jos met with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff in the Mercedes motor home ahead of the Italian grand prix. Also in the Monza paddock, and at the same time, Dr Helmut […]
Kubica says F1 return chances ‘good’
Sep.2 (GMM) Robert Kubica says he still has “a good chance” of returning to formula one. After his post-race test in Hungary, the Pole has now returned to the F1 paddock at Monza. Although not in Renault team gear, the 32-year-old is basing himself at the Renault motor home as he works throughout the weekend […]
Bottas would accept ‘number 2’ role
Sep.2 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he is prepared to work as the de-facto ‘number 2’ at Mercedes — but not yet. For the moment, the Finn is still technically in the hunt to beat Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton to the title, and patiently waiting for a new Mercedes contract. But boss Toto Wolff at […]
Sauber poised to make announcement
Sep.2 (GMM) Sauber is poised to make a key announcement about the future. The F1 rumour mill at Monza says the Swiss team will confirm either that Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc is joining for 2018 to replace Pascal Wehrlein, or that Sauber will adopt the name ‘Alfa Romeo’ next year. It is said the announcement […]
McLaren meets Renault chiefs at Monza
Sep.2 (GMM) A meeting at Monza could have decided the fate of the McLaren-Honda relationship. Ahead of the Italian grand prix, Renault chiefs Alain Prost and Cyril Abiteboul were spotted leaving the McLaren motor home, flanked by F1 boss Ross Brawn. The big rumour is that a deal has effectively been done between Renault and […]
Leclerc set for 2018 F1 debut – manager
Sep.1 (GMM) Charles Leclerc’s manager says he thinks the 19-year-old will be on the formula one grid next year. Currently, the Monaco-born driver is dominating the Formula 2 championship and strongly backed by Ferrari. Pascal Wehrlein, for instance, is openly expecting to be replaced at Sauber by a Ferrari junior next year. Wehrlein is quoted […]
‘No panic’ despite late contract – Bottas
Sep.1 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas insists there is “no panic” even though he is still not signed up for 2018. While the top teams fill their seats for next year, and even his teammate Lewis Hamilton is talking about a contract for 2019, Bottas still has no Mercedes deal beyond November’s Abu Dhabi finale. However, Toto […]
Villeneuve says ‘no’ to podium interview job
Sep.1 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve says he has repeatedly turned down offers to conduct the post-race interviews on the F1 podium. The 1997 world champion attends grands prix as a television pundit for Italian television. But unlike other drivers who do the podium interviews, the 46-year-old Canadian says he is not officially retired. “When you get […]
Haas switches focus to 2018 car
Sep.1 (GMM) Haas has admitted it has switched almost full attention to the 2018 car. The small Ferrari-linked American team is seventh overall in the constructors’ championship, but in a close battle with Williams, Toro Rosso and Renault. But boss Gunther Steiner told the Danish newspaper BT at Monza: “We are working towards next year […]
Symonds to help write 2021 rules
Sep.1 (GMM) Pat Symonds has joined a panel tasked with helping to shape the next generation of F1 rules. The panel has been put together by his old Benetton cohort Ross Brawn, who is now the sport’s new sporting boss. Brawn is looking to reform the controversial system of grid penalties for technical problems, and […]
Massa not ruling out Formula E switch
Sep.1 (GMM) Felipe Massa is not ruling out a switch in the future to Formula E. In fact, the Brazilian looked set to switch to the electric single seater series for 2017 before Valtteri Bottas suddenly vacated his Williams seat. Massa said at Monza: “After I decided to retire from F1 I did a test […]
Alonso to decide future after Honda talks
Sep.1 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he may travel to Japan to meet with Honda chiefs before deciding his next move. Prior to Monza, it was reported the fiery Spaniard had issued an ultimatum to McLaren — either dump its works Japanese engine supplier or lose him. “That is completely wrong — it’s a lie,” Alonso […]
Ferrari snubs Montezemolo at Monza
Sep.1 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo says Ferrari did not invite him to Monza for this weekend’s celebrations. Ahead of the Italian grand prix, the great Maranello team is celebrating its 70th anniversary with special branding and events. Curiously, Montezemolo was also born in 1947 – exactly 70 years ago – and the team’s former long-time […]
Hamilton admits wanting new Mercedes deal
Sep.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has confirmed reports he wants to sign a new Mercedes contract. After the reports emerged recently, team boss Toto Wolff said that while he wants the triple world champion to stay, he will delay the talks until after the close battle for the 2017 world championship is over. Hamilton said at […]
Sainz says Red Bull to decide future
Aug.31 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says his future in F1 remains in the hands of his Red Bull bosses. As the sport moves onto Monza this weekend, rumours are swirling yet again that the energy drink team could agree to release the Toro Rosso driver to Renault for 2018. It is rumoured Sainz’s release could be […]
David Schumacher eyes F1 future
Aug.31 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher’s son has admitted he is targeting a future in formula one. While it is his cousin Mick who is grabbing the most headlines, David Schumacher is set to move from karting into German Formula 4 next year. “I definitely want to be in formula one,” said 16-year-old David Schumacher, who will […]
Hulkenberg not afraid of Alonso rumours
Aug.31 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says he would not mind being teamed up with Fernando Alonso at Renault next year. In the past days, Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has played down claims the French team will sign Alonso for 2018, as Renault is not yet ready for the title. But also linked with Renault for 2018 […]
Spa bad news for Bottas title – Salo
Aug.31 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas may be shunted out of contention for the 2017 world championship. That is the view of Mika Salo, who thinks his Finnish countryman’s strong opening campaign at Mercedes hit a major hurdle at Spa last weekend. “It was not a good weekend for Valtteri,” Salo, who was the FIA driver steward […]
Williams denies 2018 Alonso talks
Aug.31 (GMM) Williams has played down reports it is close to signing up Fernando Alonso for 2018. Reports have suggested Alonso, the frustrated McLaren-Honda driver, could announce imminently that he is moving to the customer Mercedes-powered team next year. But Williams deputy Claire Williams told Bild newspaper: “I read that with astonishment. “I know nothing […]
Honda improvement ‘more than a tenth’ – Hasegawa
Aug.31 (GMM) Honda is continuing to improve its 2017 engine. That is despite the fact that, according to the latest specialist media reports, the Japanese manufacturer and McLaren are now on the cusp of a split. But Honda chief Yusuke Hasegawa told the Japanese source Sportiva that the marque made a clear step forward at […]