Dec.21 (GMM) F1 could be about to find a spanner in the works of its plans for more aesthetically pleasing cars for 2017. The 2017 rules are designed not just for more speed, but for a distinctly more aggressive look, featuring wider tyres and chassis, and lower and bigger wings. “It looks very cool, very […]
McLaren says marketing chief still at team
Dec.21 (GMM) McLaren has clarified claims that another key member of the Honda-powered team is leaving. It has been all change at Woking recently, with supremo Ron Dennis leaving and now a man he appointed – Jost Capito – set to follow. But a McLaren spokesman told GMM that “We aren’t commenting” on the Capito […]
Driver call could take until February – Lauda
Dec.20 (GMM) Mercedes could be set to further delay its decision about the identity of world champion Nico Rosberg’s successor. Initially, the German team said it would give a lucky candidate the ultimate Christmas present, but then a spokesman said there would in fact be no decision until after the New Year’s break on January […]
Sainz says no Mercedes move for 2017
Dec.20 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has ruled himself out of the running to replace Nico Rosberg at Mercedes. Some pundits, like the British commentator Martin Brundle, have said that notwithstanding his 2017 Toro Rosso deal, the young Spaniard is the ideal choice. Team owner Red Bull, however, is not letting him go, and Sainz indicated at […]
Marchionne not predicting 2017 title
Dec.20 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne says he has learned his lesson and will no longer be making any bold predictions for 2017. This year, many commentators said Ferrari was in obvious ‘crisis’ after the new Ferrari president targeted wins and the title but ultimately finished behind both Mercedes and Red Bull. “Do not expect proclamations,” Marchionne […]
Hamilton wants to keep same crew
Dec.20 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he wants to keep his entire crew of mechanics and engineers for 2017. Throughout this year, a bone of contention between Mercedes and the triple world champion was the way boss Toto Wolff shuffled up members of Hamilton and former teammate Nico Rosberg’s race crews prior to the season. “I’ll […]
Capito leaving McLaren – reports
Dec.20 (GMM) McLaren is not commenting on reports new boss Jost Capito is leaving the team, just four months after starting work. Capito left Volkswagen’s rally programme to return to F1, but it is believed the departure of McLaren supremo Ron Dennis has now triggered the sudden exit of the German as well. A spokesman […]
Giovinazzi to be Ferrari third driver – report
Dec.19 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi is tipped to step into a third driver role with Ferrari for 2017. As he fought for the GP2 title, the 23-year-old Italian was linked with a move into F1 next year. Ultimately, it was the more experienced GP2 driver Pierre Gasly, of the Red Bull family, who won the day […]
‘Probably’ no McLaren wins in 2017 – Vandoorne
Dec.19 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne has admitted he is unlikely to be in a position to win races straight away in formula one. Although several years older than Max Verstappen, Belgian Vandoorne is already being compared with the young Dutchman as he prepares to make his full F1 debut for McLaren-Honda in 2017. “That’s normal, although […]
Family to stay silent on Schumacher health
Dec.19 (GMM) Michael Schumacher’s manager insists there will be no changes to the policy of radio silence when it comes to the health of the F1 legend. The management and family of the seven time world champion have just launched official Instagram and Twitter accounts in Schumacher’s name, but his actual condition some three years […]
Todt asks Massa to be F1 steward
Dec.19 (GMM) Felipe Massa says he has been invited by his former boss to become an F1 steward. Although the Brazilian is understood to be considering an offer to cancel his retirement if Valtteri Bottas leaves Williams, Massa told UOL Esporte that another option is becoming one of the ex-drivers who doubles as a rule-adjudicating […]
Wehrlein more ‘risky’ than Bottas – Rosberg
Dec.19 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says Mercedes should consider taking the “risk” of signing up German youngster Pascal Wehrlein to replace him for 2017. The German team will use the full Christmas break to weigh up its options, but Brazilian reports suggest Valtteri Bottas is a real contender to emerge from his Williams contract. The reports […]
Ferrari ‘only 10pc behind Mercedes’ – Todt
Dec.19 (GMM) Former team boss Jean Todt has tipped Ferrari to keep chipping away at the small gap to F1 frontrunners Mercedes and Red Bull. The current FIA president’s defence of the Maranello team follows its performance and so-called ‘crisis’ of 2016, with one pundit pointing the finger at three key individuals. First, former F1 […]
Liberty still striding towards F1 takeover
Dec.19 (GMM) Liberty Media is continuing to formalise its takeover of formula one. Last week, the company said it had lined up $1.55 billion in investments to support the deal. “We look forward to closing the transaction in early 2017,” said CEO Greg Maffei. F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said that is likely to happen in […]
Majority would vote for ‘Halo’ – Hulkenberg
Dec.19 (GMM) ‘Halo’ looks set to be on the way into F1 for 2018. Although introduction of the controversial cockpit protection concept was delayed for 2017, FIA president Jean Todt said the drivers will be consulted for their opinion ahead of a possible mandatory debut for 2018. The governing body made a fresh attempt to […]
Austrian broadcaster to end F1 deal for 2020
Dec.16 (GMM) Austria could lose its free to air television coverage of formula one from 2020. In the country, F1 is currently shown on ORF, an Austrian public broadcaster. But reports suggest that, to cut costs, ORF will end its current deal after the 2019 season. “It is clear to us that (cutting) skiing and […]
Mercedes will be strong again in 2017 – Brawn
Dec.16 (GMM) Former team boss Ross Brawn thinks Mercedes will still be a leading force in formula one next year. Some believe that, with the radically different 2017 rules coming in and Red Bull and Ferrari pushing hard to improve, next year could finally see Mercedes’ three-year championship winning streak end. But Brawn, who headed […]
Vettel emerging as Mercedes favourite for 2018
Dec.16 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is emerging as a favourite to become Nico Rosberg’s longer term replacement at Mercedes. But the German has said he is definitely not leaving his Ferrari deal before 2018. That ties in with speculation that a one-year deal for Lewis Hamilton’s new teammate next year is likely. Mercedes’ Toto Wolff told […]
Hellmund, KFC, linked with Manor buyout
Dec.16 (GMM) A cloud is hanging over Manor’s future ahead of the 2017 season. With the backmarker team passed in the final stages of last season for the lucrative tenth spot in the championship, owner Stephen Fitzpatrick revealed that Manor has “agreed terms with an investor”. Speculation suggests the buyer could be Mexican-American entrepreneur Tavo […]
Valentino Rossi almost switched to F1 – father
Dec.16 (GMM) Valentino Rossi’s father has admitted the MotoGP legend came “very, very close” to switching to formula one a decade ago. Graziano Rossi, himself a former international motorcycle racing star, told the Italian press that his now 37-year-old Italian son’s multiple tests for Ferrari last decade were extremely serious. “Valentino was very, very close […]