Jul.26 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger is tasked with rescuing the embattled German touring car series DTM after this week’s shock news. Mercedes, the reigning F1 champion, has shocked the racing world by announcing it is pulling out of DTM in order to debut in the electric Formula E series from 2019. “The news hit […]
Verstappen to finish second in Hungary – father
Jul.26 (GMM) Max Verstappen will have a car good enough to split F1’s title protagonists this weekend in Hungary. That is the prediction of the 19-year-old’s father Jos, amid reports Red Bull will use a controversial Adrian Newey-penned new front wing at the circuit tipped to particularly favour the energy drink-owned team’s car. “Max is […]
Verstappen ‘disappointed’ in 2017 – father
Jul.26 (GMM) Max Verstappen is “disappointed” for one of the first times in his meteoric motor racing career. That is the claim of the young Dutch driver’s father Jos, who was also a formula one driver. Recently, speculation 19-year-old Verstappen wants out of his 2018 and 2019 commitment to Red Bull to accept an offer […]
Teams can no longer buy F1 shares – Liberty
Jul.25 (GMM) F1 owner Liberty Media has closed the door on an offer to allow teams to buy into the sport. In January, the company’s president Greg Maffei said $400 million in shares had been set aside because it is “important to offer the teams the chance to invest in F1 and further align our […]
Hungary perfect for Kubica comeback – Hulkenberg
Jul.25 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg thinks Hungary is the perfect venue for Robert Kubica to step up his campaign to return to formula one. Pole Kubica has already tested a 2012 car at Valencia and Paul Ricard, but Renault has now announced that the 32-year-old will drive the current car in the post-Hungarian GP test. It […]
FIA gives green light for Kubica return
Jul.25 (GMM) F1’s governing body says it has no problem with Robert Kubica’s impending return to the sport. Amid intense speculation about the former race winner’s potential return, Renault has now confirmed that 32-year-old Kubica will drive the 2017 car in the post-Hungarian GP test. Bild newspaper says it is possible Kubica will replace Jolyon […]
Verstappen ‘patience’ could end – manager
Jul.24 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s “patience” with Renault-powered Red Bull may eventually end. That is the warning shot fired by Raymond Vermeulen, the Dutch driver’s manager, amid speculation Verstappen has been offered a Ferrari seat for the future. However, the 19-year-old is under firm contract to Red Bull for 2018 and 2019. Vermeulen told the Dutch […]
‘Halo’ makes F1 too safe – Audetto
Jul.24 (GMM) Former F1 team boss Daniele Audetto has hit out at the FIA’s decision to impose the controversial ‘Halo’ in 2018. Amid scorn and derision from many leading figures as well as millions of fans, F1’s governing body has moved to justify the decision to introduce the frontal protection system. “Safety in motor sport […]
Ferrari could keep Raikkonen – Schumacher
Jul.24 (GMM) Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher can imagine Ferrari deciding to keep Kimi Raikkonen on board next year. While the Italian team is not ready to commit to the Finn for 2018, there are reports Sebastian Vettel is making a new deal for the 37-year-old a condition of his own contract extension beyond this […]
Williams not ready for 2018 driver topic
Jul.24 (GMM) Williams is not ready to show its hand regarding its driver lineup for 2018. While it is reported that Haas is definitely keeping Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen next year, less clear is whether Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll are staying at Williams. “We have decided to let the driver question rest for […]
Honda staying in F1 with McLaren – Yamamoto
Jul.24 (GMM) Honda says it is staying in F1 with McLaren next year. In 2017, speculation has been rife that the Anglo-Japanese works collaboration will end after three hapless years. More recent rumours say the Sauber customer deal for 2018 may also be off, triggering suggestions Honda could be out of F1 completely. But Honda […]
Vettel denies Ferrari entering ‘crisis’
Jul.24 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has denied Ferrari might be on the brink of a new ‘crisis’. The German is still leading the world championship by a single point, but the momentum has clearly shifted in Mercedes’ direction in the past few races. Some in the Italian media suspect a new Ferrari ‘crisis’ is on the […]
Villeneuve confirms Williams spat
Jul.24 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve has confirmed his spat with his former F1 team Williams. We reported last week that the 1997 world champion, who now works as a pundit for Italian television Sky, was banned from Williams’ motor home. The ban follows Villeneuve, 46, having declared his Canadian countryman Lance Stroll the “worst rookie” in […]
Auer plays down F1 chances
Jul.24 (GMM) DTM frontrunner Lucas Auer has played down his chances of moving into F1 next year. The Austrian, who is F1 legend Gerhard Berger’s nephew, will make his F1 test debut in Budapest next month thanks in part to Force India sponsor BWT and his links to Mercedes. “At the moment I do not […]
Mercedes, Red Bull slam ‘Halo’ decision
Jul.21 (GMM) Mercedes and Red Bull bosses have hit out at the FIA’s decision to impose the controversial ‘Halo’ frontal protection concept for 2018. Many fans are outraged with this week’s news that the era of fully open cockpits is set to end, with 78 per cent of Auto Motor und Sport readers opposed to […]
Perez should only leave for Ferrari – Mallya
Jul.20 (GMM) Vijay Mallya says he would be happy if Force India lines up with the same drivers next year. The former Indian billionaire made a rare paddock visit at Silverstone last weekend, as his passport has been seized over his legal dispute with Indian authorities. So for now, he cannot leave the UK, but […]
Kubica confident he can drive 2017 car
Jul.20 (GMM) Robert Kubica says the idea of testing this year’s Renault car does not faze him. Speculation the former grand prix winner could return to F1 after a more than six year absence is gaining traction, after Renault gave him two recent outings in the 2012 car. Team boss Cyril Abiteboul says he is […]
Carey wants more German teams in F1
Jul.20 (GMM) F1 CEO Chase Carey says he wants more German carmakers to join the category. Not just that, the American – who now runs the sport in ousted F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s wake – told Germany’s Sport Bild he will fight to keep a German grand prix on the calendar. Absent in 2017, Hockenheim […]
FIA mandates ‘Halo’ for 2018
Jul.20 (GMM) The controversial frontal protection concept called ‘Halo’ will make its mandatory debut on all formula one cars next year. After Silverstone practice, Sebastian Vettel said the transparent alternative called ‘Shield’ made him dizzy, while car designers complained that time had run out to iron out all of the problems for a 2018 debut. […]
F1 to discuss ‘Shield’ in Wednesday meeting
Jul.19 (GMM) The potential introduction of the cockpit protection solution known as ‘Shield’ will have top billing as F1’s strategy group meets on Wednesday. At Silverstone, Sebastian Vettel said he felt “dizzy” after becoming the first driver to try the transparent windscreen-type device aboard his Ferrari. “Now we have to think about how we can […]