May 28 (GMM) Pirelli has confirmed reports it will drop the hardest tyre compounds from its selection for July’s British grand prix. Following recent controversy, the drivers lobbied F1’s official supplier to drop the hard compounds for Silverstone. Pirelli has agreed. “This is an experiment,” the Italian marque’s F1 chief Mario Isola told Auto Motor […]
Montoya not surprised by impressive Alonso
May 28 (GMM) Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya says he is not surprised by Fernando Alonso’s impressive debut so far ahead of the Indy 500. Many have expressed surprise that, during a brief one-race sojourn from his regular F1 duties, Spaniard Alonso touched down at Indy to qualify fifth. “So far he has done […]
Raikkonen mood key to pole – Lauda
May 28 (GMM) Niki Lauda thinks a good mood is the key to Kimi Raikkonen’s return to the top in formula one. More than 3000 days separated the Finn’s last pole from his qualifying triumph at Monaco on Saturday. “Kimi has woken up,” F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda told the German broadcaster […]
Button hints at Vandoorne future
May 27 (GMM) With a single comment, Jenson Button has fired speculation of a full-time return to F1, and cast doubt on the future of Stoffel Vandoorne. The ‘retired’ 2009 world champion is back on the grid at Monaco this weekend, filling in for the Indy 500-racing Fernando Alonso. Alonso’s contract runs out at the […]
Ricciardo not ruling out Red Bull exit
May 27 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo is not ruling out leaving Red Bull to drive for another F1 team. That is despite the repeated claims of Red Bull officials who say the Australian and his teammate Max Verstappen have “watertight” contracts for 2018. But the affable Australian Ricciardo expressed some frustration that Red Bull is not […]
Hamilton admits ‘too old’ for MotoGP switch
May 27 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has declared himself “too old” to make the switch to MotoGP racing. On several occasions in the past, the triple world champion has expressed interest not in the Indy 500 or Le Mans, but F1’s spectacular two-wheeled equivalent. “I love MotoGP!” the Mercedes driver told France’s L’Equipe. “It would be […]
Magnussen not worried over court date
May 27 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen sounds unconcerned about the prospect of heading to court next week. Recently, we reported that the Haas driver’s ousted former manager Dorte Riis Madsen is pursuing a claim against Magnussen for current and future earnings. The Copenhagen proceedings are set to begin next week. “I’m not thinking about it right […]
Some F1 tracks like ‘carparks’ – Wolff
May 27 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted he would not necessarily miss some F1 circuits if they fell by the wayside. The sport’s new owners Liberty Media have hinted at adding more races to the calendar, but Mercedes chief Wolff said the main thing is that the most exciting grands prix are protected. “Some circuits […]
2017 Ferrari ‘has no weak points’ – Gene
May 27 (GMM) Ferrari’s 2017 car has “no weak points”. That is the claim of the Italian team’s long-time test driver Marc Gene, as Ferrari enter the Monaco grand prix weekend as favourite. “We knew our car was good from the start, but there are always doubts,” the Spaniard told the Spanish sports daily Diario […]
Hamilton scoffs at Alonso’s Indy rivals
May 27 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has apparently scoffed at the level of competition facing Fernando Alonso ahead of Sunday’s Indy 500. Not long after this weekend’s prestigious F1 race, Monaco absentee Alonso will start from fifth as he bids to win the fabled Indy 500 on the other side of the Atlantic. Hamilton, however, does […]
F1 income must not be ‘socialism’ – Haas
May 27 (GMM) F1 must be “very careful” as it moves to shake up the income distribution model in the near future. That is the warning of Gene Haas, the American billionaire owner of the small Ferrari-linked American team. Having ousted Bernie Ecclestone after the Liberty Media takeover, new F1 CEO Chase Carey has said […]
Wolff tips Hamilton to stay after 2018
May 27 (GMM) Toto Wolff has tipped Mercedes’ top driver to stay with the German team. Lewis Hamilton has a contract with Mercedes until the end of next year, but boss Wolff rated his chances of retaining the triple world champion. “If you would have asked me the same question one year ago, I would […]
Red Bull could be on front row – Marko
May 26 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko is not ruling out a front row qualifying for Red Bull in Monaco. That is despite the fact technical boss Adrian Newey earlier played down the former champions’ chances of a repeat of 2016, when victory was a real possibility. However, so far in the two Thursday practice sessions, […]
Wolff hints at same drivers for 2018
May 26 (GMM) Toto Wolff has hinted Mercedes will not make any changes to its driver lineup for 2018. While the German team’s boss said it is too early for decisions, he also hailed the atmosphere and dynamics inside Mercedes so far this year. “Nico Rosberg played a fundamental role with car development,” Wolff told […]
Privacy ‘in Schumacher’s interest’ – manager
May 26 (GMM) Keeping Michael Schumacher out of the public eye for the past three and a half years was in the F1 legend’s “interest”. That is the claim of Sabine Kehm, who is the seven time world champion’s manager working closely with the Schumacher family including his 18-year-old son Mick. Over three years ago, […]
Alonso says no Indycar switch for 2018
May 26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has played down speculation he could quit formula one and switch full-time to the American equivalent Indycar. The Spaniard is not in Monaco this weekend as he bids for Indy 500 victory, and motor racing legend Mario Andretti thinks it is possible Alonso could make a permanent switch. Alonso, on […]
Vettel can stay at Ferrari in 2018 – Marchionne
May 26 (GMM) Team president Sergio Marchionne says whether or not Sebastian Vettel stays at Ferrari in 2018 is the German’s decision. Although leading the world championship this year, the quadruple world champion is not yet committing to the Maranello team beyond the end of his current contract. “If he is happy in the car, […]
Alonso absence ‘not professional’ – Massa
May 26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s Monaco absence this weekend is not “professional”. That is the view of his former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, who was asked about the Spaniard’s decision to skip F1’s prestigious street race to bid for Indy 500 victory. “It was a surprise,” Massa told the Spanish daily Marca, “but he’s doing […]
Massa defends ‘rich kid’ Stroll after Monaco crash
May 26 (GMM) Felipe Massa has defended his under-fire rookie teammate Lance Stroll. On Thursday, teenage Stroll continued his 2017 struggle with a crash in Monaco practice. Afterwards, the Telegraph newspaper referred to the 18-year-old as a “rich kid”. “He seems to regard the privilege (of racing in F1) as akin to playing a computer […]
No pressure for Button in Monaco – Kvyat
May 25 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says retired F1 driver Jenson Button is under no pressure this weekend at Monaco. Some have questioned the wisdom of Button’s one-off return to replace Fernando Alonso, particularly after the 2009 world champion skipped the Bahrain test last month. “If Jenson wants to prepare in that way, it’s his choice,” […]