Jul.29 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is not ruling out a switch to America’s top open wheeler category Indycar for 2018. Amid his frustration in the third year of McLaren-Honda’s hapless collaboration, the Spaniard said in Hungary that “the Indy 500” was his only positive moment of 2017. Earlier, he said moving full-time to Indycar was not […]
Unwell Massa checked in Budapest hospital – report
Jul.29 (GMM) Felipe Massa was taken to hospital following Friday’s practice sessions in Hungary. Eight years ago, the Brazilian was left fighting for his life after being hit by a spring during qualifying at the same circuit near Budapest. But this time, now as a Williams driver, Massa simply felt unwell after Friday’s action. “He […]
Wing controversy ‘storm in a teacup’ – Red Bull
Jul.29 (GMM) Red Bull has hit back at claims its new front wing design is teetering on the brink of legality. The former champions appear to be in the running to take on Mercedes and Ferrari for outright victory on the twisty Hungaroring. The pace boost comes hot on the heels of claims a new […]
Sauber not ruling out Ferrari-linked driver
Jul.29 (GMM) Sauber is not ready to think about its 2018 driver lineup. That is the view of the Swiss team’s brand new boss Frederic Vasseur, as he attends his first grand prix in Sauber colours in Hungary. Vasseur’s first act as boss was to axe the new Sauber-Honda deal, instead signing a new arrangement […]
McLaren hopes for Toro Rosso-Honda deal – report
Jul.29 (GMM) McLaren has its fingers crossed Honda will agree an engine deal for 2018 with the Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso. That is the claim of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, as the crisis at the hapless McLaren-Honda works collaboration continues in Hungary. McLaren has been in talks with Mercedes and Ferrari about […]
Hamilton says Ferrari move unlikely
Jul.29 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is unlikely to move from the Mercedes team before retiring from F1. His boss, Toto Wolff, indicated recently that he wants to extend the Briton’s contract beyond 2018, amid rumours of a potential move to Ferrari for Hamilton. But Hamilton, 32, said in Hungary: “If I was to jump […]
Stroll admits Williams looking to 2018
Jul.28 (GMM) Lance Stroll says Williams is already working on its 2018 car. Recent reports suggested the bulk of the Grove team’s resources are now shifting towards next year’s project, with teenage rookie Stroll expected to stay at Williams. “Calm down — let’s go step by step,” the Canadian laughed in Hungary. “At the moment […]
Teams will personalise Halo designs – Whiting
Jul.28 (GMM) F1’s governing body has played down the waves of negativity following its decision to impose the controversial ‘Halo’ concept in 2018. Not only fans, but also teams and many drivers have admitted their opposition to the questionable aesthetics of the concept designed to improve forward cockpit protection. “If it looks sh-t, it is […]
Palmer says Kubica no threat for 2017
Jul.28 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer says he is keeping his Renault seat for the rest of 2017. Former F1 star Robert Kubica is in Hungary this weekend, where after the race he will test Renault’s 2017 car at the circuit near Budapest. It has raised speculation to fever-pitch that Renault intends to dump struggling Briton Palmer […]
End is nigh for LMP1 and DTM – Massa
Jul.28 (GMM) While F1 and Formula E keep growing and thriving, the end could be nigh for motor racing’s other top categories Le Mans and DTM. That is the view of formula one veteran Felipe Massa. This week, the latter two series were rocked by the news that Mercedes is quitting the German touring car […]
Kvyat hints Toro Rosso decision imminent
Jul.28 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat thinks it’s possible Red Bull will make a decision about his future this weekend. Motor racing bosses of the energy drink company admitted recently that while Carlo Sainz is staying put for 2018, Russian Kvyat might also be kept at Toro Rosso. “Honestly, we’re not far from the point where we […]
Ilmor, Porsche eye F1 for 2021
Jul.28 (GMM) Cosworth, Porsche and now Ilmor are all eyeing a potential move into F1 after 2020. 2021 is when new, cheaper, simpler and louder engines make their debut at the conclusion of the controversial current ‘power unit’ era. Cosworth has this week signalled its interest in re-joining the sport it was once synonymous with, […]
Sauber eyes upgrade to 2018 Ferrari engine
Jul.28 (GMM) Sauber looks set to stick with Ferrari power for 2018. Following a period of speculation, the Swiss team’s new boss Frederic Vasseur confirmed in Hungary that he has called off the planned customer engine deal with Honda. It is former Renault chief Vasseur’s first race in Sauber colours. “He has some really good […]
Verstappen not ruling out Ferrari, Mercedes switch
Jul.27 (GMM) Max Verstappen is not ruling out a future switch to top teams Ferrari or Mercedes. Amid obvious frustration with the performance and reliability of his Red Bull this year, speculation has suggested the young Dutchman is looking for a way out of his 2018-2019 contract. When asked about the Ferrari rumour in particular, […]
Red Bull must give Verstappen winning car – Horner
Jul.27 (GMM) Christian Horner has acknowledged that Red Bull needs to give Max Verstappen a winning car for 2018. Recently, the 19-year-old Dutchman and his surly father Jos have not categorically rejected rumours Verstappen is linked with a future switch to Ferrari. At the same time, even though an often clearly frustrated Verstappen is locked […]
Mercedes not favourite for Hungary – Salo
Jul.27 (GMM) Mercedes is not the certain winner of this weekend’s Hungarian grand prix. That is the view of former Ferrari driver and regular F1 steward Mika Salo, who thinks Ferrari could bounce back at the Hungaroring after a difficult recent period. The Finn told Ilta Sanomat newspaper that Red Bull is also expected to […]
Only judge Stroll in 2018 – Prost
Jul.27 (GMM) Quadruple world champion Alain Prost has defended F1’s teen rookie Lance Stroll. Canadian Stroll’s debut for Williams this year has been the subject of controversy, as his career has been bankrolled by his billionaire father. Not just that, although the 18-year-old broke through for his maiden podium in Baku, he notably struggled during […]
Rosberg to be Formula E team boss – report
Jul.27 (GMM) Nico Rosberg is being lined up as the team boss for Mercedes’ brand new Formula E foray for 2019. The German carmaker shocked the racing world this week by announcing that it will quit DTM after next year to race instead in the all-electric single seater series. And Germany’s Auto Bild now reports […]
Liberty to introduce ‘franchise’ model for F1 – Wolff
Jul.27 (GMM) Liberty Media is looking into replacing the F1 teams’ current ‘Concorde Agreement’-type commercial contracts with a franchise model. That is the claim of Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, amid rumblings that early talks about the commercial direction of the sport post 2020 have already begun. The current income distribution model, devised by the […]
Haas move a blow for Ferrari influence – Minardi
Jul.26 (GMM) Former F1 chief Gian Carlo Minardi thinks Ferrari may be struggling to wield its influence among customer teams. Although the American outfit Haas is unofficially referred to as a Ferrari ‘B’ team, owner Gene Haas has announced that it will keep Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen next year. That is despite speculation Ferrari […]