Nov.11 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone detoured to the Brazilian capital Brasilia on his way to the Brazilian grand prix in Sao Paulo. According to the local news source UOL, the F1 supremo met with new Brazilian president Michel Temer. “UOL Esporte has found that the issue of discussion was the continuation of the grand prix of […]
Sauber looks set to keep same drivers
Nov.11 (GMM) Sauber looks set to keep its existing drivers in 2017. Although Marcus Ericsson is closely linked with the Swiss team’s new group of owners, the Swede had indicated he was interested in the Force India seat. But with Esteban Ocon now confirmed in that role, Ericsson said in Brazil: “As long as nothing […]
Renault kept Palmer for ‘continuity’ – Vasseur
Nov.11 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has revealed that he turned down an offer to stay with Renault for 2017. Instead, the French works team has retained Jolyon Palmer to join the incoming Nico Hulkenberg next year. Many have questioned the Palmer re-signing, given that the Briton has been generally outperformed by Dane Magnussen this year and […]
Wehrlein disappointed to miss Force India seat
Nov.11 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein could not hide his disappointment after it emerged that Manor teammate Esteban Ocon is moving up to Force India for 2017. Both backed by Mercedes, German Wehrlein is the more experienced of the pair but he has been overlooked for the more competitive seat. “Toto (Wolff) called me,” he said. “He […]
Alonso tells Rosberg ‘anything can happen’
Nov.11 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has warned Nico Rosberg that “anything can happen” that could prevent him from winning the 2016 title. But the two-time world champion insists that if the German does beat Lewis Hamilton to the championship either this weekend in Brazil or in Abu Dhabi, Rosberg will have deserved it. “Apart from last […]
Whiting appearance shows F1 too complex – Sainz
Nov.11 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has rejected the notion that Charlie Whiting’s unusual appearance during the drivers press conference in Brazil was good for clarity. With confusion abounding after controversial manoeuvres and penalties in Mexico two weeks ago, the FIA broke protocol to have F1 race director Whiting sit in as the international press met with […]
No extra security for Ecclestone in Brazil
Nov.10 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone insists he has no fear for his personal security ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian grand prix. Earlier this year, the mother of the F1 supremo’s Brazilian wife was kidnapped and threatened with beheading by a group linked with a helicopter pilot who formerly worked with Ecclestone. So when asked if he […]
‘No extra pressure’ as title beckons – Rosberg
Nov.10 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has arrived in Brazil insisting he doesn’t feel any more pressure than usual. That is despite the fact that a win on Sunday will see him crowned world champion. But EFE news agency quotes Rosberg as saying at a press conference in Sao Paulo: “I don’t feel any more pressure than […]
Stroll ‘not like Maldonado’ – Villeneuve
Nov.10 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve insists it is not fair to compare Lance Stroll with other F1 ‘pay drivers’ like Pastor Maldonado. Reportedly after his father and Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll spent an amazing $80 million on the 18-year-old’s career to date, Lance will make his debut next year for Williams. Asked if Williams’ choice was […]
Massa seeks talks over Brazil GP future
Nov.10 (GMM) Felipe Massa is not convinced privatisation is the answer as Interlagos looks to safeguard the future of the Brazilian grand prix. While Nico Rosberg has a chance to seal the 2016 title at Interlagos this weekend, the future of the race in Sao Paulo is in doubt, after Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA […]
Perez dumps sponsor after Trump victory
Nov.10 (GMM) Sergio Perez has dumped a sponsor in the wake of Donald Trump’s shock win in the US election. As the world digested the surprise news that Trump had beaten favourite Hillary Clinton to the White House, the sunglasses company Hawkers made a joke in Spanish on Twitter. “Mexicans, put these glasses on so […]
F1 penalty controversy to race on in Brazil
Nov.10 (GMM) The controversy about penalties in F1 will keep racing into this weekend’s Brazilian grand prix. After being verbally abused by Sebastian Vettel in Mexico, F1 race director Charlie Whiting will join the German driver in Thursday’s FIA press conference. It is an unusual step for the governing body, after the Ferrari driver also […]
Mercedes committed only until 2020 – Wolff
Nov.9 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Mercedes’ is only committed to formula one until 2020. The German marque has swept up every title since the ‘power unit’ began in 2014. Mercedes co-owner and boss Wolff told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Mercedes decided in 2009 to compete not only as an engine supplier but also with its […]
Magnussen signs ‘multi-year’ Haas deal – source
Nov.9 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen will switch from Renault to the American team Haas for 2017, a source told us on Wednesday morning. The Dane had been hoping for a longer stay with the works Renault team, but according to the source the deal to instead be Romain Grosjean’s teammate from next season is now done. […]
Liberty looking at F1 internet streaming
Nov.9 (GMM) F1 looks set to finally enter the world of live streaming. Internet broadcasting has always been ruled out by Bernie Ecclestone, on the basis that the success of the sport’s commercial rights was built on the sale of traditional television rights. But F1 is being taken over by Liberty Media, whose president and […]
Massa says he could have stayed in F1
Nov.9 (GMM) Felipe Massa has indicated he would have stayed in F1 if he had a competitive car to drive for 2017. Instead, the Brazilian has called time on his 15-year grand prix career and is looking to move to DTM, Le Mans or Formula E for 2017. But he’s not in a rush to […]
Rosberg has not won title yet – Villeneuve
Nov.9 (GMM) Nico Rosberg does not yet have the 2016 title in the bag, according to former world champion Jacques Villeneuve. German Rosberg is, however, within striking distance of beating Lewis Hamilton, because a repeat of his 2015 win at Interlagos this weekend will see him wear the crown. “For the moment, things are going […]
Vettel knew Ferrari would be challenging – Brawn
Nov.9 (GMM) Ferrari’s path back to victory requires “stability”, according to the famous team’s former technical boss Ross Brawn. Brawn was a key part of the great Maranello marque’s ultra-successful Michael Schumacher era, but Ferrari is now struggling amid what some sections of the Italian media regard as nothing short of ‘crisis’. “The last few […]
Mateschitz denies F1 quit threats were serious
Nov.8 (GMM) Dietrich Mateschitz has denied that Red Bull ever seriously contemplated pulling out of F1. A year ago, the energy drink brand’s billionaire mogul threatened to withdraw both of his teams from the sport amid Mercedes’ dominance and a struggle to find an engine supplier for 2016. But when asked by the Spanish sports […]
Ferrari stays on ‘road to recovery’ – Marchionne
Nov.8 (GMM) Ferrari is determined to improve for 2017, according to president Sergio Marchionne. It has been a difficult season for the fabled Scuderia, with its failed title bid summed up by Sebastian Vettel’s foul-mouthed radio calls of Mexico. But amid the criticism, former Ferrari boss Cesare Fiorio said: “Vettel’s reaction in Mexico was understandable. […]