Nov.27 (GMM) Renault team boss Frederic Vasseur says he does not rule out working with Kevin Magnussen again. Actually, the Danish driver is leaving the French works team after reportedly balking at the political situation at Renault and the offer of only a one-year extension. Vasseur admits that he and Magnussen clashed. “Kevin has his […]
Lauda has one ‘fear’ for title showdown
Nov.27 (GMM) Niki Lauda says he is feeling relaxed ahead of Sunday’s title showdown — except for one “fear”. “It’s been three perfect years,” said the Mercedes team chairman, referring to the fact that the German squad is guaranteed the drivers’ title in Abu Dhabi. “First one (driver) is faster, then the other. But for […]
Aki Hintsa made Vettel ‘better man’
Nov.27 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has added his own tribute to former McLaren doctor Aki Hintsa, who sadly passed away last week at the age of 58. Lewis Hamilton, who made his debut for McLaren in 2007, gave an emotional and fitting farewell to the Finn in the Thursday press conference in Abu Dhabi. But in […]
Wife, not father, joins Rosberg in Abu Dhabi
Nov.27 (GMM) All eyes are on Nico Rosberg as the German bids to win his first world championship on Sunday. The Mercedes driver insists he is treating Abu Dhabi as any other race, but he appears nervous and has flown in his wife Vivian at the last moment for support. “It was planned for a […]
Hamilton can ‘back up’ Rosberg – Berger
Nov.27 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger says he can imagine Lewis Hamilton deploying every tactic to win the world championship on Sunday. Berger is actually in the Nico Rosberg camp, having negotiated the German’s new Mercedes deal earlier this year. He says it is nonsense that some are saying Rosberg would not be a deserving […]
Both Mercedes drivers deserve title – Alonso
Nov.27 (GMM) Both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg would deserve the world championship if they succeed on Sunday. That is the opinion of Fernando Alonso, when asked by Spain’s AS newspaper to comment on Sunday’s 2016 title battle between the Mercedes duo. “They’re similar in the way they have done their job,” said the Spaniard. […]
Lorenzo hopes Rosberg wins 2016 title
Nov.27 (GMM) MotoGP star Jorge Lorenzo insists Nico Rosberg would be a deserving champion if crowned later on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. The Spaniard is in the paddock this weekend, telling the Movistar broadcaster that “I wanted to see who will win the championship”. He is sponsored by Monster, who also back the Mercedes team. […]
Gutierrez admits Ferrari return possible
Nov.27 (GMM) Esteban Gutierrez has admitted returning to Ferrari is an option for 2017. The Mexican, who has failed to score a point all year, is disappointed to have been dropped by the new American team Haas after one season. He is still linked with one of the Manor seats for 2017, but admits that […]
Brazil race last ‘question mark’ for 2017 – Ecclestone
Nov.26 (GMM) The final “question mark” on what has become a 20-race calendar for 2017 is Brazil. That is the news from Bernie Ecclestone, whose earlier 21-date schedule has been reduced by one after he failed to reach a deal with Hockenheim. “I’m not frustrated, just surprised,” the F1 supremo said in Abu Dhabi, according […]
McLaren switched focus to 2017 in July – Alonso
Nov.26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he will not miss the F1 era that will end with the chequered flag on Sunday. When asked about the grip offered by the sandy Abu Dhabi layout, the Spaniard told EFE news agency it has little to do with the desert location. “The grip is like driving in the […]
McLaren must sign title sponsor – Brown
Nov.26 (GMM) New McLaren chief Zak Brown says the famous British team must prioritise signing a title sponsor. Since the departure of Vodafone and the start of the difficult works Honda era, Ron Dennis has reportedly refused to reduce McLaren’s rate card in the search for a new title backer. But Dennis has now been […]
Grid re-start rule change divides opinion
Nov.26 (GMM) Opinions are divided in Abu Dhabi after Bernie Ecclestone and the teams agreed a novel rule-change for 2017. It emerges that, pending the approval of the World Motor Sport Council, cars will return to the grid for a standing start after every safety car period from next year. “Apparently this is for entertainment […]
Drivers key to 2018 introduction for Halo
Nov.26 (GMM) The drivers will be central to the FIA’s decision about whether to introduce the controversial ‘Halo’ cockpit protection concept in 2018 or impose a further delay. Although the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association has said Halo is unanimously supported up and down the grid, some drivers have revealed their concerns. So in another bid […]
Drivers discussed wet tyre criticism with Pirelli
Nov.26 (GMM) F1 drivers had talks with Pirelli in Abu Dhabi, following criticism of the Italian supplier’s wet weather tyres. Multiple drivers pointed the finger at Pirelli in the wake of the red flag and safety car-interrupted Brazilian grand prix. “We discussed a lot, sharing impressions of the tyres, the problem with visibility and aquaplaning, […]
All sides deny Wehrlein to Sauber reports
Nov.26 (GMM) All sides have denied reports that Pascal Wehrlein’s next move in F1 is now a done deal. Multiple authoritative sources had reported from Abu Dhabi that with Sauber losing the backing of Felipe Nasr’s sponsor Banco do Brasil, the Swiss team will definitely replace him with German Wehrlein. But Wehrlein, who currently drives […]
Grosjean backs Gutierrez axe
Nov.26 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has hinted he fully supports Haas’ decision to install a new teammate for 2017. Esteban Gutierrez is reportedly hoping to continue his career at Manor next year, having fallen out with Haas team boss Gunther Steiner. The pair were seen in a garage altercation recently, and Steiner said he needs to […]
Hamilton lost focus in 2016 – Leinders
Nov.26 (GMM) Former F1 tester Bas Leinders thinks Lewis Hamilton lost focus earlier in 2016. In Abu Dhabi, Hamilton has hinted that his likely title defeat to Nico Rosberg on Sunday would be due to an early-season engineer switch, and poorer reliability. But Leinders, a Minardi test driver in 2004, said Rosberg would “definitely” be […]
Rosberg must avoid Hamilton crash – Berger
Nov.26 (GMM) Nico Rosberg can’t risk a crash with his teammate Lewis Hamilton on Sunday, F1 legend Gerhard Berger says. Earlier this year, Berger advised the Mercedes driver during his negotiations for a new Mercedes contract, and now he is advising the German to stay clear of Hamilton in Abu Dhabi. That is despite the […]
Hamilton engaged in mind ‘tricks’ – Wolff
Nov.26 (GMM) Mercedes chiefs say Lewis Hamilton is up to psychological “tricks” as his title battle with Nico Rosberg reaches its finale in Abu Dhabi. Needing a win and Rosberg to finish lower than third to win the title on Sunday, Hamilton began the weekend by referring again to how the team shook up his […]
Owner admits Manor investor deal ‘agreed’
Nov.26 (GMM) F1 backmarker Manor is in the process of being sold, current owner Stephen Fitzpatrick admitted in Abu Dhabi. Reports have been circulating that, faced with losing millions in official prize money after the defeat to Sauber in Brazil, the talks with a buyer accelerated in the past days. But Fitzpatrick, who rescued Manor […]