Oct.29 (GMM) A member of Mercedes’ F1 race team was robbed at gunpoint ahead of the Mexican grand prix, according to the Sun newspaper. The report said the team member was “shaken up” after he was targeted by thieves as a chauffeur drove him from the airport in Mexico City. A Mercedes spokesman confirmed that […]
McLaren losing Mobil to Red Bull
Oct.29 (GMM) Red Bull has snatched a top, long-term sponsor from F1 rivals McLaren, it has emerged in Mexico. Two weeks ago, we reported that the British oil multinational BP is looking at returning to the grid with a $30 million deal, with McLaren and Renault both in the running. It now emerges that McLaren […]
Button hits out at misleading magazine quote
Oct.29 (GMM) Jenson Button has hit back at a magazine cover that suggested Ron Dennis pushed him into retirement. After 17 years in F1, the 36-year-old is taking a sabbatical next season whilst remaining under contract to McLaren for the next two years. But F1 Racing, a British magazine, quoted Button as saying on its […]
Brawn admits F1 top job ‘appealing’
Oct.29 (GMM) Ross Brawn has admitted he is interested in returning to F1. But the former Ferrari and Mercedes chief fended off speculation he could come back from retirement with a prominent role at McLaren. Instead, he indicated that a top job overseeing the sport – perhaps with a sporting-specific role working with Liberty Media […]
Rosberg defends silent tactic in title charge
Oct.29 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has defended his decision to charge for the 2016 title whilst shutting himself off from the world. Bernie Ecclestone hit out at the German last week, suggesting he hopes Lewis Hamilton actually wins the title because the Briton is a better ambassador. “I am here to win races. Not to make […]
Frank Williams battling pneumonia in hospital
Oct.29 (GMM) F1 legend and team founder Sir Frank Williams is in hospital battling pneumonia. The news emerged in Mexico City, when team CEO Mike O’Driscoll made a rare appearance in front of the assembled media, in the place of deputy Claire Williams. “Frank was taken ill at the Monza race,” he revealed. Williams, 74, […]
Alonso wants ‘truth’ behind Dennis rumours
Oct.28 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he will understand within weeks what is going on in the McLaren boardroom. At the moment, there are strong rumours that team supremo Ron Dennis is fighting to keep his position, after falling out with fellow shareholders. “I’m not going to talk about individuals, but I think the team’s in […]
‘Silly season’ still bubbling in Mexico
Oct.28 (GMM) The 2017 driver ‘silly season’ is continuing to bubble away in the F1 paddock. The rumours and rumblings have now moved on to Mexico City, but all eyes will be on Williams’ Grove HQ next Thursday when the British team makes an announcement. Lance Stroll is set to be confirmed as Felipe Massa’s […]
Malaysia should back drivers, not race – minister
Oct.28 (GMM) Money currently put into hosting an annual grand prix could instead support Malaysian drivers pushing to break into F1. That is the claim of Malaysian sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who earlier caused a stir by suggesting the government should no longer pay for a race each year at Sepang. He told the local […]
Arrivabene needs help running Ferrari – Ecclestone
Oct.28 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has advised Ferrari to install an ‘advisor’ to help Maurizio Arrivabene run the great Italian team. Having failed to win a title since 2007, the Maranello marque targeted the championship this year but instead fell behind second-placed team Red Bull. So Pino Allievi, arguably the most respected Italian journalist, asked F1 […]
Gene Haas knew ‘almost nothing’ about F1
Oct.28 (GMM) Gene Haas says his biggest lesson in 2017 has been how “complicated” F1 is. The American entered the sport this year with a brand new team supported technically by Ferrari and Dallara, and immediately impressed. But the second half of the season has been more difficult, beset by technical problems and Haas told […]
Pirelli testing for some drivers ‘unfair’ – Sainz
Oct.28 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says it’s “unfair” that some teams and drivers are getting early experience of Pirelli’s bigger tyres for 2017. Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull have produced test cars based on their 2015 machines to simulate the higher downforce and grip that will be produced next year. “It seems unfair that there are […]
Kvyat deserves Toro Rosso seat – Coulthard
Oct.28 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat deserves his place in F1. That is the view of former F1 driver David Coulthard, following the claims of other pundits like Jacques Villeneuve who think the young Russian should have been dropped. “Kvyat has definitely earned a contract extension,” the Russian service Sportbox quotes the former McLaren and Red Bull […]
Verstappen responds to Marko criticism
Oct.28 (GMM) While he may change how he sounds from now on, Max Verstappen says he will keep charging ahead in F1. Some have suggested that the young Dutchman often sounds arrogant on the radio, like when he declared “I’m not here to finish fourth” in Austin. “Now I will answer with yes, no, ok,” […]
Rosberg bats away Ecclestone, Hamilton noise
Oct.28 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he is maintaining his focus, despite comments made by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Mercedes’ Niki Lauda reacted angrily when Ecclestone admitted he hopes Lewis Hamilton wins the title, because the Briton is the better ambassador for the sport. “I spoke to him personally and he said that’s not exactly the […]
Gasly to be reserve driver in 2017 – Marko
Oct.27 (GMM) Pierre Gasly will remain a part of Red Bull’s F1 programme in 2017. That is the news from Dr Helmut Marko, who is in charge of the energy drink company’s high profile and hard-hitting driver development programme. Earlier, amid Daniil Kvyat’s struggles, GP2 frontrunner Gasly looked a shoo-in for a Toro Rosso seat […]
Haas keeping driver door open for 2017
Oct.27 (GMM) Haas is currently leaving the door open for a driver change in 2017. In truth, the American team has immediate problems to solve, given a spate of recent brake failures — the most recent being Esteban Gutierrez’s in Austin. Asked why it’s happening so often, team boss Gunther Steiner told Auto Motor und […]
Palmer linked with Sauber switch
Oct.27 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer is being linked with a potential move to Sauber for 2017. The Swiss team’s current drivers are Marcus Ericsson alongside Felipe Nasr — but both are linked with a potential switch at the end of the year. It would be strange if Swede Ericsson left, because his backers are believed to […]
Perez waiting for Ferrari switch – Hulkenberg
Oct.27 (GMM) Sergio Perez turned down Renault for 2017 because he is probably holding out for Ferrari. That is the view of the Mexican’s current Force India teammate Nico Hulkenberg, who has in fact accepted Renault’s offer of a works seat for next year and beyond. “I think it’s the right step for this stage […]
Team predicts 9 second boost in 2017 – report
Oct.27 (GMM) One team thinks lap times could be boosted by as much as an astonishing 9 seconds in 2017. That is the claim of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, as teams frantically prepare for the big rule change for next year whilst completing the current season. The report reveals that to help Pirelli develop […]