Jul.5 (GMM) It is too early to be predicting F1 stardom for Mick Schumacher. That is the claim of Mika Hakkinen, who almost two decades ago was the biggest rival of teenage Mick’s legendary father Michael Schumacher. Now, Hakkinen is backing the Schumacher family’s ‘Keep fighting’ initiative and trying to ease the immense pressure on […]
Vettel ‘crashgate’ over now – Lauda
Jul.5 (GMM) Mercedes chiefs have called an end to the Sebastian Vettel ‘crashgate’ saga. After the now apologetic Ferrari driver essentially escaped further sanction for having been found by the FIA to have steered deliberately into Lewis Hamilton in Baku, the controversy continued in the wake of the FIA ruling. Hamilton reportedly ‘liked’ on Instagram […]
No Renault wins until 2019 – Abiteboul
Jul.4 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has admitted that Renault might not be winning races by next year. After buying the failing Lotus team, the French marque struggled in 2016 but has restored credibility this year. “We wanted to establish ourselves in the midfield this year,” team boss Abiteboul told Auto Motor und Sport. “We succeeded in […]
Jordan says Wolff will not silence him
Jul.4 (GMM) Eddie Jordan says he will not be silenced, after being slammed by Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. In Baku, Wolff lashed out at the former F1 team owner turned television pundit for continually claiming Mercedes will quit the sport after 2018. “I told him that this is very serious for me,” Wolff said. […]
Ocon moving on after Perez run-ins
Jul.4 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has vowed to move on amid a controversial period in his relationship with Force India teammate Sergio Perez. In Canada, Perez turned down a ‘team order’ to let his French teammate past, and then in Baku the pair argued after an on-track clash. The pair were summoned to Silverstone afterwards for […]
F1 targets lighter engines for future
Jul.4 (GMM) Weight has emerged as a major factor as F1 prepares to change its engine formula beyond 2020. The next key meeting of the engine working group will take place on Tuesday, following reports the likely unit for the future will be a 1.6 litre V6 with two turbos and a single KERS. “I […]
‘Sorry’ Vettel escapes major FIA penalty
Jul.4 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has issued an apology after avoiding a major additional penalty as a result of intentionally driving into Lewis Hamilton in Baku. On his 30th birthday, the Ferrari driver on Monday attended F1 governing body the FIA’s investigation into his behaviour that some thought might cost him a race ban. In Baku, […]
Berger confirms Force India test for nephew
Jul.3 (GMM) It is now almost certain that Gerhard Berger’s nephew will shortly make his F1 test debut. Widespread reports say DTM frontrunner Lucas Auer will drive the Force India at the post-Hungarian GP young driver’s test. “As it turns out, he will get a formula one test in the Force India in the young […]
No ‘ultimatum’ for struggling Palmer – Abiteboul
Jul.3 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul says he is imposing no “ultimatum” on struggling Renault driver Jolyon Palmer. Rumours are rife that the extent of Briton Palmer’s struggles to keep up with Nico Hulkwenberg means the team is considering dumping him mid-season. Renault boss Abiteboul admits that Palmer needs to improve. “We cannot afford this situation,” he […]
FIA should excuse ’emotional’ Vettel – Berger
Jul.3 (GMM) Gerhard Berger says the FIA should forgive Sebastian Vettel for driving into Lewis Hamilton recently in Baku. On Monday, which is also the Ferrari driver’s 30th birthday, the governing body will meet to consider applying a further penalty for the infraction. But former Ferrari and McLaren driver Berger told Bild am Sonntag: “I […]
Alonso wants Mercedes or Ferrari seat – Briatore
Jul.3 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has targeted a move into one of F1’s two top teams for 2018. That is the claim of Flavio Briatore, who still oversees the management of the Spaniard’s career as he seeks a potential move away from McLaren-Honda. “Fernando must go to Mercedes or Ferrari,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. […]
Red Bull says loss of oil ‘trick’ hurt Ferrari
Jul.3 (GMM) Speculation is increasing that a technical controversy is behind Ferrari’s sudden dip in form. The Italian team was riding a wave of form this year until the last two races in Canada and Baku. One suggestion is that an FIA clampdown about the adding of oil to fuel was specifically targeted against Ferrari. […]
2017 ‘difficult’ for teammate Vandoorne – Alonso
Jul.3 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has admitted his teammate’s introduction to F1 this year has been “difficult”. Amid his push for a more competitive seat, the Spaniard has regularly pointed out that he is a long way ahead of the occupant of the sister McLaren-Honda, Stoffel Vandoorne. Indeed, there are even question marks about the 25-year-old […]
Jos Verstappen says son ‘happy at Red Bull’
Jul.3 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s father has denied the Red Bull driver is looking for a way out of his contract. Amid rumours his clearly-frustrated 19-year-old son would like to accept a Ferrari offer for 2018, former F1 driver Jos last week said on Twitter that an explanation by Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was […]
Lauda says McLaren-Mercedes deal not done
Jun.30 (GMM) Niki Lauda says no deal is in place between McLaren and Mercedes for 2018. Amid intense speculation about McLaren’s impending divorce from works partner Honda, new rumours suggest the first McLaren-Mercedes tests may take place later this year. But Lauda, the Mercedes team chairman, says no deal is in place. “McLaren has a […]
Perez to be latest F1 father
Jun.30 (GMM) Sergio Perez is set to become the latest F1 father. The news was reported by the newspaper Chancha, revealing that the Force India driver’s girlfriend Carola is expected to give birth after the 2017 season. “I never speak about my private life, but I am in the best moment of my life and […]
Hamilton wants new deal beyond 2018 – Lauda
Jun.30 (GMM) Niki Lauda has dismissed suggestions Lewis Hamilton might quit Mercedes and F1. Last weekend in Baku, triple world champion Hamilton was moved to clarify quotes that suggested he might retire at the end of this season. Now, Mercedes team chairman Lauda backed Hamilton’s denial, saying the original comments were “misunderstood”. “He is staying, […]
Jos Verstappen slams Red Bull boss Horner
Jun.30 (GMM) A growing rift has emerged between the Verstappen camp and Red Bull. Amid Max Verstappen’s troubling run of reliability, the 19-year-old left the Baku circuit without speaking to the media last Sunday and could subsequently face a EUR 25,000 penalty. It came amid rumours of interest from Ferrari, who are yet to sign […]
Magnussen welcomes Copenhagen’s 2020 GP project
Jun.30 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has welcomed news in Denmark that an F1 race in Copenhagen is in the works for 2020. The local BT newspaper said Danish businessman Lars Seier Christensen met this week in London with F1’s new owners Liberty Media about a potential deal. “Before anything,” he said, “it was important to achieve […]
Critic Villeneuve ‘always negative’ – Stroll
Jun.30 (GMM) Lance Stroll says he is not affected by the harsh criticism of his Canadian countryman Jacques Villeneuve. Before Stroll’s maiden points in Montreal and podium in Baku, 1997 world champion Villeneuve said the Williams driver’s opening races of 2017 qualified him as one of the worst rookies in F1 history. “I don’t care […]