Nov.29 (GMM) Christian Horner says Red Bull is now looking confidently into the future with engine supplier Renault. Actually, the parties fell out spectacularly last year, with only a Tag-Heuer rebranding ensuring that French power units remained in the dark blue cars. Team boss Horner admits “frustration” boiled over after 2014 and 2015. “But there […]
Mercedes denies Hamilton refusing to test
Nov.29 (GMM) Mercedes has played down reports that Lewis Hamilton is refusing to get back to work this week. In Abu Dhabi, it had been agreed that whichever Mercedes driver won the title would head to a Petronas event in Malaysia on Monday. And the other would stay in Abu Dhabi to drive Mercedes’ modified […]
Nico and Keke Rosberg not critical of Hamilton tactics
Nov.29 (GMM) Nico Rosberg and his equally famous father are not joining in the criticism of Lewis Hamilton following the 2016 title finale in Abu Dhabi. Mercedes led the criticism after Hamilton ignored team orders in the closing stages of Sunday’s race and deliberately left Rosberg exposed to the chasing Ferrari and Red Bull. Many […]
Ferrari lacking quality bosses – Berger
Nov.28 (GMM) The problem at Ferrari is a lack of good quality chiefs. That is the view of Gerhard Berger, who said that compared to more competitive top teams Mercedes and Red Bull, Ferrari’s management shortfalls are obvious. “You only have to look at the management structure,” the former Ferrari driver told Speed Week in […]
Hamilton faces ‘sack’ over Abu Dhabi behaviour
Nov.28 (GMM) British newspapers say Lewis Hamilton could be suspended or even “sacked” after ignoring Mercedes’ team orders during Sunday’s Abu Dhabi finale. Nico Rosberg duly won the world championship by finishing second to his British teammate, but the German said he endured a “horrible” race at Yas Marina. That was mainly due to the […]
Wolff open to helping German GP rescue
Nov.27 (GMM) Mercedes is not ruling out making a financial contribution to keep the German grand prix on track. However, it appears that when the final 2017 calendar is published shortly by the FIA, it will be missing a Hockenheim date after talks with Bernie Ecclestone collapsed. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff joins Bernie Ecclestone […]
Pirelli working to improve wet tyres
Nov.27 (GMM) Pirelli is taking the F1 drivers’ feedback on board and is working on improving its rain tyres. That is the claim of Mario Isola, a leading official of F1’s official supplier, following a key meeting with drivers in Abu Dhabi. The meeting followed a wave of criticism of Pirelli’s rain tyres after the […]
Vasseur admits ‘battles’ with departing Magnussen
Nov.27 (GMM) Renault team boss Frederic Vasseur says he does not rule out working with Kevin Magnussen again. Actually, the Danish driver is leaving the French works team after reportedly balking at the political situation at Renault and the offer of only a one-year extension. Vasseur admits that he and Magnussen clashed. “Kevin has his […]
Lauda has one ‘fear’ for title showdown
Nov.27 (GMM) Niki Lauda says he is feeling relaxed ahead of Sunday’s title showdown — except for one “fear”. “It’s been three perfect years,” said the Mercedes team chairman, referring to the fact that the German squad is guaranteed the drivers’ title in Abu Dhabi. “First one (driver) is faster, then the other. But for […]
Aki Hintsa made Vettel ‘better man’
Nov.27 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has added his own tribute to former McLaren doctor Aki Hintsa, who sadly passed away last week at the age of 58. Lewis Hamilton, who made his debut for McLaren in 2007, gave an emotional and fitting farewell to the Finn in the Thursday press conference in Abu Dhabi. But in […]
Wife, not father, joins Rosberg in Abu Dhabi
Nov.27 (GMM) All eyes are on Nico Rosberg as the German bids to win his first world championship on Sunday. The Mercedes driver insists he is treating Abu Dhabi as any other race, but he appears nervous and has flown in his wife Vivian at the last moment for support. “It was planned for a […]
Hamilton can ‘back up’ Rosberg – Berger
Nov.27 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger says he can imagine Lewis Hamilton deploying every tactic to win the world championship on Sunday. Berger is actually in the Nico Rosberg camp, having negotiated the German’s new Mercedes deal earlier this year. He says it is nonsense that some are saying Rosberg would not be a deserving […]
Both Mercedes drivers deserve title – Alonso
Nov.27 (GMM) Both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg would deserve the world championship if they succeed on Sunday. That is the opinion of Fernando Alonso, when asked by Spain’s AS newspaper to comment on Sunday’s 2016 title battle between the Mercedes duo. “They’re similar in the way they have done their job,” said the Spaniard. […]
Lorenzo hopes Rosberg wins 2016 title
Nov.27 (GMM) MotoGP star Jorge Lorenzo insists Nico Rosberg would be a deserving champion if crowned later on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. The Spaniard is in the paddock this weekend, telling the Movistar broadcaster that “I wanted to see who will win the championship”. He is sponsored by Monster, who also back the Mercedes team. […]
Gutierrez admits Ferrari return possible
Nov.27 (GMM) Esteban Gutierrez has admitted returning to Ferrari is an option for 2017. The Mexican, who has failed to score a point all year, is disappointed to have been dropped by the new American team Haas after one season. He is still linked with one of the Manor seats for 2017, but admits that […]
Brazil race last ‘question mark’ for 2017 – Ecclestone
Nov.26 (GMM) The final “question mark” on what has become a 20-race calendar for 2017 is Brazil. That is the news from Bernie Ecclestone, whose earlier 21-date schedule has been reduced by one after he failed to reach a deal with Hockenheim. “I’m not frustrated, just surprised,” the F1 supremo said in Abu Dhabi, according […]
McLaren switched focus to 2017 in July – Alonso
Nov.26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he will not miss the F1 era that will end with the chequered flag on Sunday. When asked about the grip offered by the sandy Abu Dhabi layout, the Spaniard told EFE news agency it has little to do with the desert location. “The grip is like driving in the […]
McLaren must sign title sponsor – Brown
Nov.26 (GMM) New McLaren chief Zak Brown says the famous British team must prioritise signing a title sponsor. Since the departure of Vodafone and the start of the difficult works Honda era, Ron Dennis has reportedly refused to reduce McLaren’s rate card in the search for a new title backer. But Dennis has now been […]
Grid re-start rule change divides opinion
Nov.26 (GMM) Opinions are divided in Abu Dhabi after Bernie Ecclestone and the teams agreed a novel rule-change for 2017. It emerges that, pending the approval of the World Motor Sport Council, cars will return to the grid for a standing start after every safety car period from next year. “Apparently this is for entertainment […]
Drivers key to 2018 introduction for Halo
Nov.26 (GMM) The drivers will be central to the FIA’s decision about whether to introduce the controversial ‘Halo’ cockpit protection concept in 2018 or impose a further delay. Although the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association has said Halo is unanimously supported up and down the grid, some drivers have revealed their concerns. So in another bid […]