May 25 (GMM) Renault powered drivers are calling on the French marque to improve its 2017 engine. Some tension is creeping back into the Red Bull-Renault partnership, with Renault taking issue with some recent comments made by its premier customer. But also Renault-powered in 2017 are the Toro Rosso drivers, whose Daniil Kvyat said of […]
Cesare Fiorio ‘improving’ after cycling crash
May 25 (GMM) Former Ferrari boss Cesare Fiorio is showing signs of improvement after a recent cycling crash. Three weeks ago, we reported that the 78-year-old fell whilst cycling in Italy and was in hospital with serious head and other injuries. Fiorio briefly led Ferrari at the end of the 80s and beginning of the […]
Stroll expects difficult first Monaco GP
May 25 (GMM) Lance Stroll has entered Monaco expecting a tough weekend. Already, the teenage rookie has struggled in 2017 and now insiders are predicting more trouble for Stroll on the famous but unforgiving streets. Stroll, 18, told Canada’s La Presse: “I do not want to be negative, but I expect a difficult weekend. “This […]
Monaco win unlikely for Red Bull – Newey
May 25 (GMM) Adrian Newey has admitted Red Bull does not have a strong chance of winning this weekend’s Monaco grand prix. Last year, only a pit bungle cost Daniel Ricciardo victory on the famous streets. “Last year we had a good chassis,” Red Bull’s part-time technical boss Newey told Brazil’s Globo, “so at Monaco, […]
Sponsor enabled Wolff switch – Wolff
May 25 (GMM) One sponsor could have made the difference when it came to Valtteri Bottas securing the Mercedes seat for 2017. Team boss Toto Wolff admitted that Bottas’ major sponsor at Williams, Antti Aarnio-Wihuri, made the crucial decision to switch his allegiance to Mercedes this year. “Yes, without it we would have put Pascal […]
Raikkonen plays down ‘wheelbase’ story
May 25 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen is not sure the ‘wheelbase’ factor will tip the balance in Ferrari’s favour this weekend at Monaco. Mercedes has headed into the famous street race worrying publicly about how its particularly long-wheelbase car will suit the tight corners. “I don’t know how our long car will go on these corners,” […]
Alonso at Indy doesn’t hurt F1 – Steiner
May 25 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has played down claims Fernando Alonso’s Indy 500 foray this weekend hurts formula one. F1 chief executive Chase Carey has said it would be better if the Spaniard was in Monaco, and Haas chief Steiner agrees that the big winner is Indycar. “I think Fernando helps Indy more than formula […]
Ferrari has caught Mercedes on race starts
May 25 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has admitted Ferrari has caught up with Mercedes’ race start technology in 2017. Mercedes entered the season with field-leading technology for the race starts, but a reporter told Hamilton in Monaco that Ferrari has now copied that approach. Asked if the German team has lost its advantage, Hamilton said: “I […]
F1 changes cars after Monger crash
May 25 (GMM) F1 has reacted to the Billy Monger crash by tweaking the design of the 2017 cars. Recently, the British youngster crashed into a stationary car during a Formula 4 race and subsequently had both his legs amputated. F1 has reacted. Auto Motor und Sport reports that, ahead of the Monaco round, every […]
Carey announces 21 races for 2018
May 25 (GMM) F1 chief executive Chase Carey has announced that there will be 21 grands prix next year. That is just one race more than this season, despite the fact the sport’s new owners Liberty Media have hinted that the calendar could expand to as many as 25. “There will be 21 next year,” […]
Hamilton, Vettel keep ‘respect’ for 2017 battle
May 24 (GMM) F1’s title protagonists insist they will continue to “respect” one another through their 2017 battle. Just 6 points divides Sebastian Vettel from Lewis Hamilton after 5 races. The pair came close to touching wheels two weeks ago in Barcelona, where Mercedes’ Hamilton called the Ferrari driver’s move “dangerous”. But afterwards, they said […]
Boullier not ruling out McLaren-Honda ‘divorce’
May 24 (GMM) Eric Boullier is not ruling out that McLaren could split with Honda. McLaren linked up with the Japanese carmaker three years ago, but is still struggling for performance and reliability. “The problem is that we do not just buy an engine,” said team boss Boullier. “Honda started with a clean sheet, with […]
Rosberg eyes role with Monaco GP promoter
May 24 (GMM) Nico Rosberg could be about to take on a new role. The retired reigning world champion, who has been basically entirely absent from the F1 paddock so far in 2017, is set to attend Monaco this weekend. German Rosberg, 31, lives in the Principality, but he also might be planning to meet […]
Hamilton has ‘whole team’ behind him now – Rosberg
May 24 (GMM) Nico Rosberg will attend this weekend’s Monaco grand prix. The retired reigning world champion lives in the Principality with his wife, who is now expecting their second child, and young daughter. “The fact that we can create a new human being together is so beautiful,” the 31-year-old German said. “But two children […]
Vettel, Hamilton’s rivals ‘can’t keep up’ – Lauda
May 23 (GMM) Niki Lauda has hailed the Ferrari versus Mercedes duel for the 2017 world championship. So far this year, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have each won two grands prix, and are separated in the standings by just 6 points. That duel culminated in the recent Spanish grand prix, which Lauda said he […]
Alonso ‘not on Mercedes wish list’ – Lauda
May 23 (GMM) Niki Lauda has dealt a blow to Fernando Alonso’s chances of switching to Mercedes next year. Earlier, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said the Spaniard could not be ruled out for 2018, but pointed to Alonso’s historically problematic character and past run-ins with Lewis Hamilton. Alonso, 35, has said he might be on […]
Long wheelbase to hurt in Monaco – Mercedes
May 23 (GMM) Mercedes is concerned Ferrari could have the upper hand this weekend in Monaco. Lewis Hamilton actually returned to the top step of the podium in Barcelona, but that circuit particularly suited the specifications of Mercedes’ 2017 car. Monaco, the tight and twisty street circuit, could be a different matter. “A car with […]
Alonso to ‘represent’ F1 drivers well – Sainz
May 23 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he is sure Fernando Alonso will “represent” current F1 drivers well at the Indy 500 on Sunday. While Alonso’s usual competitors are contesting the prestigious Monaco grand prix this weekend, the Spaniard will be in Indianapolis preparing for the famous high speed oval race. And Sainz, a Spaniard and […]
Massa hails Lowe’s impact at Williams
May 23 (GMM) Felipe Massa has hailed Paddy Lowe for a noticeable turnaround inside the Williams team. Brazilian Massa has driven for the famous British team since leaving Ferrari, but he says the immediate impact of the arrival of former Mercedes chief Lowe this year was palpable. “What he has done is unite the different […]
Lauda would ‘veto’ McLaren-Mercedes deal
May 22 (GMM) Niki Lauda says he would “veto” a supply of customer Mercedes engines for struggling former F1 grandee McLaren. Although consistently denied, persistent rumours have said the beleaguered British team’s patience with Honda is finally up. But Toto Wolff, the Mercedes chief, denies the solution will be as simple as a reunion of […]