Nov.25 (GMM) Hockenheim boss Georg Seiler has confirmed reports the German grand prix will drop off the 2017 calendar. Reports said that because a race deal could not be struck for 2017, Hockenheim will go and next year’s calendar will shrink to 20 grands prix. Seiler confirmed: “We have noted that a formula one event […]
2017 to be ‘transition year’ for tyres – Hembery
Nov.25 (GMM) Pirelli says it regards 2017 as a transition year as the sport adapts to the radically different technical regulations. In Abu Dhabi, F1’s official supplier unveiled the bigger and wider slicks that will be fitted to next year’s much faster cars. “This was not an easy project because we had to start with […]
Perez not open to sponsor reconciliation
Nov.25 (GMM) Sergio Perez says his decision to dump a sponsor is final. Just after Donald Trump’s shock US election win, the Mexican driver failed to see the funny side of a joke made on Twitter by sunglasses sponsor Hawkers about the proposed US-Mexican border wall. After Perez dumped the brand, Hawkers apologised and announced […]
Sainz unfazed by low media profile
Nov.25 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says his low profile in the international media does not bother him. Since debuting last year, the Spaniard has gained the respect of the F1 paddock but it is Max Verstappen who got the call up to Red Bull’s senior team as well as the high-profile comparisons to greats like Ayrton […]
Wehrlein hints at 2017 deal
Nov.25 (GMM) An agreement is now in place between Mercedes and Sauber that will see Pascal Wehrlein drive for the Swiss team in 2017. That is the very latest paddock rumour from Abu Dhabi, coinciding with reports out of Brazil that current Sauber driver Felipe Nasr has lost his key Banco do Brasil sponsorship. When […]
Nasr loses Banco do Brasil backing
Nov.25 (GMM) Felipe Nasr’s chances of staying in F1 next year have nose-dived. Amid the economic situation in Brazil, the Sauber driver’s sponsor, Banco do Brasil, has announced its withdrawal from the sport. “Banco do Brasil recognises Felipe Nasr’s talent and is proud to be the sponsor responsible for his entry into formula one,” it […]
Dennis exit ‘healthy’ for McLaren – Magnussen
Nov.25 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen thinks Ron Dennis’ departure is actually “healthy” for McLaren. The Danish driver was a protege of the Woking team’s supremo and made his F1 debut for McLaren in 2014. But Magnussen was then ousted, famously learning of the decision by email on his birthday. “Ron was my boss when I drove […]
Renault recommended Magnussen to Haas
Nov.25 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen is heading to Haas with the recommendation of many in the F1 paddock, including those at his current team Renault. That is the claim of Haas team boss Gunther Steiner, explaining the decision to pick the Dane to replace Esteban Gutierrez for 2017. “Everyone knows that we spoke with Kevin already […]
Hamilton handshake snub not deliberate – Rosberg
Nov.25 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he and Lewis Hamilton did not deliberately refuse to shake hands as they head into their 2016 title showdown in Abu Dhabi. Before the FIA press conference, moderator James Allen asked the Mercedes pair to stand for the photographers and shake hands, but they did not do the latter. But […]
Button says Abu Dhabi ‘my last race’
Nov.25 (GMM) Jenson Button has admitted Sunday’s Abu Dhabi grand prix will probably be his last in formula one. When the F1 veteran announced that he won’t be racing in 2017, he insisted: “To be clear, I’m very definitely not retiring.” But now that the 2016 finale has come around, he admitted to reporters: “I […]
20 races for 2017 as Germany scrapped
Nov.24 (GMM) F1’s race calendar for 2017 is set to shrink from 21 to 20 grands prix. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the German grand prix at Hockenheim will be scratched, with teams informed of the change ahead of Abu Dhabi. “We cannot subsidise the race in Germany if we do not do the […]
Alonso not sure McLaren will get 2017 right
Nov.24 (GMM) The only question mark is how McLaren will respond to the new aerodynamic regulations for 2017, according to Fernando Alonso. Next year is the last in the famous Spaniard’s three year deal with the Anglo-Japanese outfit, and he told Auto Motor und Sport that he has no doubt Honda is up to the […]
Alonso caused Massa’s Ferrari decline – Smedley
Nov.24 (GMM) Felipe Massa’s relationship with Ferrari soured due to the arrival of Fernando Alonso. On the eve of the likeable Brazilian’s final grand prix, that is the claim of Massa’s long-time friend and engineer, Rob Smedley. Massa was engineered by Smedley at Ferrari, where in 2008 they almost won the title. But the following […]
Rosberg drove strategically for title – Berger
Nov.24 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has eased off the throttle in a tactical manoeuvre for the 2016 world championship. That is the admission of F1 legend and Rosberg family friend Gerhard Berger, who earlier this year negotiated the German’s new contract with Mercedes. Rosberg, however, insists he has been pushing for poles and wins in recent […]
Car failure a ‘nightmare’ for F1 finale – Chiesa
Nov.24 (GMM) The big enemy of F1’s title showdown in Abu Dhabi this weekend is the risk of technical failure. To win the title, Nico Rosberg only has to finish third on Sunday, even if Lewis Hamilton wins his fourth consecutive grand prix on the trot. “Nico must withstand enormous pressure, cross his fingers and […]
Rosberg should target win from pole – Surer
Nov.24 (GMM) Nico Rosberg should target pole and the win rather than an easy and careful cruise to the title this weekend in Abu Dhabi. Although winning the championship with a mere podium place seems straightforward for the German, he is being warned from all sides to avoid being too cautious. Former F1 driver and […]
Red Bull could spoil Rosberg title – Stewart
Nov.24 (GMM) Sir Jackie Stewart has warned that Nico Rosberg’s bid for title glory this weekend could be spoiled by the Red Bulls. The German driver only has to finish third to guarantee his championship victory over Lewis Hamilton, but Red Bull’s team boss Christian Horner has warned that a “tentative” Rosberg could open the […]
Button should axe sabbatical and retire – Jordan
Nov.24 (GMM) Jenson Button has been urged to turn his forthcoming ‘sabbatical’ into full retirement from formula one. The 2009 world champion said he was convinced by McLaren’s now-departing supremo Ron Dennis to take a break from his 17-year F1 career next year and leave the door open to a 2018 return. But Eddie Jordan, […]
Drivers to train hard for 2017 – Kvyat
Nov.23 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he is glad the season is ending, but also looking ahead to an arduous winter period. The Russian admits 2016 was not the best year in his career, having started the season at Red Bull, being demoted to Toro Rosso, and only just clinging to his F1 career. “Yeah, so […]
Giovinazzi eyes step towards F1 in Abu Dhabi
Nov.23 (GMM) Another important championship will also reach its zenith this weekend in Abu Dhabi. While the Nico Rosberg vs Lewis Hamilton stoush is front and centre, it is also the case that the feeder category GP2 will crown a champion this weekend. The favourite is Antonio Giovinazzi, a 22-year-old Italian who had been linked […]