Jun.27 (GMM) Toto Wolff thinks Sebastian Vettel’s act of Baku ‘road rage’ should now be forgotten. As the Ferrari driver runs through his super license ‘penalty points’, there are rumours the FIA is still contemplating further sanctions for his apparent deliberate crash into Lewis Hamilton last Sunday. Auto Motor und Sport quoted a Baku race […]
Marko backs Vettel after ‘road rage’
Jun.27 (GMM) Not everyone is siding against Sebastian Vettel following his apparently deliberate crash into championship rival Lewis Hamilton in Baku. Most in F1, including the specialist press, pointed the finger of blame squarely at the Ferrari driver, after his apparent ‘road rage’ moment. “Vettel lost his nerve,” said Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. Corriere […]
McLaren could take Honda ‘break’ – Boullier
Jun.26 (GMM) McLaren’s team boss has admitted the British team could take a break from being powered by Honda engines in F1. Up and down the paddock, most insiders expect that a full McLaren-Honda divorce is on the cards. But it appears a trial separation could be a leading option instead. “On paper it’s a […]
‘Secret’ Stroll test not podium boost – father
Jun.26 (GMM) Lance Stroll enjoyed a ‘secret’ test between the recent Canadian and Azerbaijan grands prix. After a lacklustre start to his rookie season, Williams’ controversial rookie opened his points account in Montreal and was then on the podium at the end of the wild Baku race. Germany’s Auto Bild now reveals that, in between […]
Vettel under fire after Hamilton clash
Jun.26 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is under fire amid accusations he deliberately rammed championship rival Lewis Hamilton while behind the safety car in Baku. Vettel accused Mercedes driver Hamilton of ‘brake testing’ him, which damaged the German’s front wing and sent him into a rage. “If you were to do that on a public road you […]
Pirelli could introduce even softer tyre for 2018
Jun.25 (GMM) Grumblings about Pirelli have returned to the F1 paddock. Not too long ago, the complaint about the official F1 supplier was that its tyres degraded too quickly. But now, although grip has increased and drivers are able to push hard through a stint, the grumble is that the tyres being offered by Pirelli […]
Wolff slams Jordan’s ‘fake news’
Jun.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff has hit out at F1 media personality Eddie Jordan for perpetuating a rumour about Mercedes’ future in the sport. The German team recently rejected former team boss Jordan’s claim that Mercedes will pull out of formula one after next year. But now, Jordan has doubled down in Baku, saying not only […]
McLaren engine deal deadline looming – Wolff
Jun.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Mercedes needs to know if McLaren needs a customer engine supply for 2018 sometime “after the summer break”. Although Honda made a step forward in Baku, it is increasingly clear that McLaren and Fernando Alonso’s patience with the hapless Japanese supplier is up. “I think our opponents are even a […]
Vettel not injured – spokeswoman
Jun.25 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s spokeswoman has played down rumours about an injury for the world championship leader. At Baku, some have noticed that the Ferrari driver’s leg was bandaged. But his media assistant Britta Roeske told Speed Week: “There’s no reason for concern. “What people have seen was normal Kinesio taping. It is what Sebastian […]
Vettel contract speculation increases
Jun.25 (GMM) Speculation is mounting that Sebastian Vettel is on the cusp of extending his contract at Ferrari. While earlier the championship leader was quiet about his expiring deal, he is now being quoted as being more open about his comfort at the Italian team. “I have nothing to complain about,” he told La Gazzetta […]
Alonso management in Mercedes, Renault talks
Jun.25 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is clearly on the move. Throughout the Baku paddock and beyond, the McLaren-Honda driver’s management has been having talks with rival F1 teams. Flavio Briatore, who oversees the 35-year-old’s career, met for dinner with Mercedes chiefs Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda. Asked if the topic of Alonso came up over dinner, […]
Wolff plays down Ferrari oil ‘trick’ rumours
Jun.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff has played down suggestions the FIA might have taken away Ferrari’s secret weapon in 2017. As the teams arrived in Baku, a rumour did the rounds that Mercedes had asked the FIA to clarify the rules about adding oil to fuel. The rumour was that Ferrari had been taking advantage of […]
Grosjean plays down ‘spotters’ reports
Jun.24 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has played down reports suggesting the Haas team is using ‘spotters’ in Baku. In American oval-based racing, ‘spotters’ are positioned around the layout to let drivers know what is happening around them. And heading into the weekend in Azerbaijan, whose street layout features a 2km straight, reports suggested the American team […]
Brawn wants up to 13 teams in F1
Jun.24 (GMM) Ross Brawn has admitted F1 would like more teams to enter the sport. Recent rumours have suggested a prospective Chinese-backed team could be on the horizon, with FIA president Jean Todt saying a process could be launched to fill one or both of the current garage vacancies. “Our goal is that in the […]
McLaren admits Sainz ‘an option’ for 2018
Jun.24 (GMM) McLaren is not ruling out a move to the British team for Carlos Sainz in 2018. The impressive Spaniard has often been linked with a departure from Toro Rosso, but until now Red Bull has insisted he honour his contract until 2019. But when asked about the 22-year-old, McLaren boss Eric Boullier said […]
Sauber owner admits Vasseur talks
Jun.24 (GMM) Former Renault team boss Frederic Vasseur has emerged as the most likely candidate to run Sauber. The Swiss team suddenly split with Monisha Kaltenborn following a disagreement with new owners, and it had been rumoured Colin Kolles was on pole to replace her. Acting boss Beat Zehnder said in Baku: “We are talking […]
Hamilton can stay in F1 ‘until 40’ – Trulli
Jun.24 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has continued to back away from earlier claims he might quit F1 at the end of the year. The offending quote caused an international stir, but former F1 driver Jarno Trulli says he doesn’t believe the Mercedes driver is gearing up to retire. “I don’t know why Hamilton says certain things,” […]
F1 ‘oil in fuel’ controversy re-emerges
Jun.24 (GMM) Suggestions a team is gaining performance by mixing oil with fuel have re-emerged in Baku. The issue had died down, but the FIA warned again ahead of the Azerbaijan weekend that oil must not be added to the fuel under any circumstances. “Why? Because Mercedes obviously asked the FIA for clarification,” said Germany’s […]
‘No room’ for Alonso at Red Bull – Horner
Jun.24 (GMM) Christian Horner has denied Red Bull might be eyeing Fernando Alonso for 2018. Current McLaren-Honda driver Alonso suggested in Baku that the forthcoming driver ‘silly season’ might surprise some insiders. One rumour is that, while Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen may appear under contract for 2018, they may have exit clauses in the […]
Renault plays down Kubica rumours
Jun.24 (GMM) Renault has played down swirling rumours about Robert Kubica. Recently, the former BMW and Renault driver made his F1 test return after a six-year absence, demonstrating that he is able to run competitively with his arm injuries. Now, the big rumour in Baku is that the Pole will drive in Friday practice at […]