Jul.17 (GMM) Renowned F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke says the loss of the fearsome Peraltada corner from the Mexico layout was unavoidable. The legendary, sweeping, high-speed end of the lap at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is legendary, but it has been left out as German Tilke heads the renovations ahead of Mexico’s return to the […]
2015 Russia GP set for financial collapse
Jul.17 (GMM) This year’s Russian grand prix is in danger of last-minute collapse, Russian media and Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper report. Sochi is scheduled to host its second consecutive race in October, but organisers are reportedly desperately hoping for a 64 million euro bailout by the government in Moscow amid a deep economic crisis. […]
Alesi confirms German speeding reports
Jul.17 (GMM) Jean Alesi has confirmed rumours he was caught speeding this week at 60kph above the legal limit on a road in Germany. Der Trierische Volksfreund, a German daily, reported that police had stopped a former F1 driver in excess of 140kph en route to the Nurburgring. The police did not disclose the identity […]
Nasr to replace Bottas at Williams – report
Jul.17 (GMM) The ‘silly season’ looks set to burst into life. Italy’s Corriere dello Sport on Friday reports that Williams has agreed a EUR 12 million buyout by Ferrari of Valtteri Bottas’ 2016 contract ‘option’. And the Rome-based daily said the man slotting into Bottas’ Williams seat next year will be the British team’s former […]
Bottas signs deal to replace Raikkonen – report
Jul.17 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has reached a deal with Ferrari to replace Finnish countryman Kimi Raikkonen from 2016. That is the claim of Italy’s Corriere dello Sport on Friday, adding that the Maranello team will therefore not exercise the 2016 ‘option’ on Raikkonen’s existing contract. That option does not expire until 31 July, and so […]
Spotlight on Allison as Ferrari falters in 2015
Jul.16 (GMM) As Ferrari’s 2015 resurgence arguably stalls, eyes are beginning to shift to the unextended contract held by technical boss James Allison. Leo Turrini, the well-connected Ferrari media insider, says the Briton’s current deal expires in mid-2016. The Maranello team, although apparently improved this year with Sergio Marchionne, Maurizio Arrivabene and Sebastian Vettel at […]
Kvyat ‘absolutely’ delivering for Red Bull
Jul.16 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat appears to have secured his place at Red Bull Racing for now. Earlier, the young Russian seemed to be under pressure from the energy drink stable’s latest F1 hotshoes Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz, as he struggled after stepping up from Toro Rosso. But at Silverstone recently, Kvyat secured the public […]
Bizarre Williams nose causes a stir
Jul.16 (GMM) F1 fans and insiders were scratching their heads this week when they spotted a radical Williams nose. The British team posted to Twitter a photo of a factory worker preparing sidepod bodywork for the forthcoming Hungarian grand prix. But – initially unspotted by many glancing viewers – in the upper corner of the […]
Briatore hits out over tax evasion sentence
Jul.16 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has hit out at the media coverage of his conviction for tax evasion. Once expelled from formula one amid the ‘crashgate’ cheating scandal, the flamboyant Italian has now been sentenced to 23 months of probation over a case surrounding his luxury yacht Force Blue. Briatore, 65, and fellow directors were found […]
Former F1 driver caught speeding in Germany
Jul.16 (GMM) A former F1 driver has this week been caught speeding in Germany. Der Trierische Volksfreund, a German daily, reported that police stopped the driver as he was in excess of 60kph above the allowed limit of 80kph. The newspaper said the ex-grand prix star paid a four-digit fine and continued his trip to […]
Hockenheim urges fans to secure German GP future
Jul.16 (GMM) Hockenheim’s chief has urged German fans to turn up in numbers next year as the country returns to the formula one calendar. F1 is currently in an unplanned three-week gap between Silverstone and Hungary, because the embattled Nurburgring could not come up with the money for the 2015 race. But Germany is back […]
Haas wants experienced drivers for F1 debut
Jul.16 (GMM) Haas, the new American F1 team, has defended itself amid speculation it is already bending the rules. Currently, as it is not yet racing, the outfit is outside of the current wind tunnel testing restrictions. But its work at Ferrari’s Maranello tunnel recently caught the attention of the governing FIA, triggering an inspection. […]
Honda lacks ‘racing spirit’ of 90s – McNish
Jul.16 (GMM) Former F1 driver Allan McNish has questioned whether Honda can ever make a success of its new collaboration with McLaren. In the early 90s, amid the first, utterly-successful McLaren-Honda era spearheaded by Ayrton Senna, the young McNish was the test driver. But the Scot, now 45, says things have changed. “This Honda is […]
Verstappen’s dad plays down Ferrari rumours
Jul.16 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s father has put a lid on speculation linking the Toro Rosso rookie with a sensational switch to Ferrari. The ‘silly season’ has caught up even with F1’s impressive 17-year-old rookie, but Red Bull driver manager Dr Helmut Marko insists Verstappen’s contract is watertight. And now the young Dutchman’s father and manager, […]
Bottas forever ‘grateful’ to Williams
Jul.16 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he will always be “grateful” to Williams for bringing him into formula one. The Finn was speaking amid ever-growing speculation that he is first in line for a switch to Ferrari next year, in the event the fabled Maranello team ousts countryman Kimi Raikkonen. 25-year-old Bottas, however, played down the […]
Mercedes has ‘trick’ beyond power, downforce – report
Jul.15 (GMM) There is more to Mercedes’ dominance than simply power and downforce. That is the finding of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, arguing that main rival Ferrari is now almost level-pegging with the world champions in terms of horse power. And as far as the chassis is concerned, rivals are now beginning to look […]
Nasr plays down talk of team switch
Jul.15 (GMM) Felipe Nasr has played down rumours linking him with a switch of teams for 2016. Not only has the Brazilian been impressive on debut in 2015, he carries the significant backing of sponsor Banco do Brasil, whose colours feature prominently on this year’s Sauber. But Nasr, 22, is reportedly frustrated that the Swiss […]
Mexico F1 renovations ’90pc complete’
Jul.15 (GMM) Mexico is right on track for its return to formula one this November. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, not seen on the F1 calendar since 1992, is currently being extensively renovated for its 2015 return. The fabled and fearsome Peraltada corner has gone, but in a new visit to the site, the FIA’s Charlie […]
Renault did not deliver power unit ‘promises’ – Horner
Jul.15 (GMM) Christian Horner has admitted the rocky relationship between Red Bull and Renault is due to a loss of “patience”. “A lot has been said and written about the relationship between Red Bull Racing and Renault,” he acknowledged in an interview with France’s Auto Hebdo. Indeed, team boss Horner’s comments come at a well-publicised […]
Horner wants return of F1 ‘Procar’ series
Jul.15 (GMM) The return of a ‘Procar’ series would be one way to make heroes of today’s F1 drivers. That is the view of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, who acknowledged that the modern era makes it difficult for the grand prix stars to show their true characters. “With all these social networks, they’ve […]