Apr.5 (GMM) The signs are growing by the day that Fernando Alonso intends to stay in F1 beyond 2017. Earlier, before the much faster regulations for this year made their debut, the Spaniard was leaving open the possibility he might retire at the end of the season. But then in Australia two weeks ago, he […]
Bottas would obey Mercedes team order
Apr.5 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says that while he would obey team orders, he does not see himself as the ‘number 2’ driver at Mercedes. The Finn had a solid start to his new role as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate in Australia, but many see Bottas as basically subservient to the triple world champion. Bottas does not […]
Ferrari insiders tip Shanghai struggle
Apr.5 (GMM) Two Ferrari-linked figures are concerned the Italian team could face a tougher test for victory this weekend in China. After a year without victory, Sebastian Vettel put Ferrari back on the top step of the podium in Melbourne. Gian Paolo Dallara, whose racing car marque is involved with the production of Haas’ F1 […]
Wolff could miss birth of child
Apr.5 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted he could miss the birth of his child in the coming days. Back at their home in Switzerland, Wolff’s wife and former Williams test driver Susie Wolff is due to give birth on April 10, according to Austrian reports. Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, however, is in Shanghai for this […]
F1 eyes 1200hp twin-turbo V6 for 2021
Apr.5 (GMM) The next details about F1’s potential new engine formula for 2021 are now emerging. Following a meeting with current and potential engine suppliers, FIA president Jean Todt revealed last week that the plan is to make the current ‘power units’ simpler, cheaper and louder for the future. New F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn […]
Grosjean not complaining ‘good sign’ – Haas
Apr.4 (GMM) Owner Gene Haas says he is happy the American team is in among the action in a closely-fought midfield in 2017. Winter rumours suggested Haas could actually be fighting backmarkers Sauber and McLaren this year, but Romain Grosjean qualified a ‘best of the rest’ sixth in Melbourne. But Haas says that midfield pack […]
F1 return now ‘more likely’ – Kubica
Apr.4 (GMM) Robert Kubica says a return to F1 is now “more likely” than at any time since his serious rally crash in early 2011. The Pole, now 32, was in the midst of a promising F1 career with BMW and then Renault when, while contesting a rally in the winter, he crashed and almost […]
Doubts surround Wehrlein ‘fitness’ story
Apr.4 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein could miss the entire China-Bahrain double header in the next two weeks, as a bizarre story about his physical fitness continues to unfold. The Mercedes-backed German sat out the 2017 season opener in Melbourne, citing a lack of fitness in the wake of his winter back injury following a rollover crash […]
Hopes high for more passing in China
Apr.3 (GMM) Hopes are high that Shanghai will host a more spectacular grand prix this weekend. F1’s new era – characterised by faster cars and better tyres – kicked off in Australia last month, but some were concerned that almost no overtaking took place. “Melbourne has always been a track where overtaking is difficult. It’s […]
Vandoorne sticking with McLaren-Honda amid crisis
Apr.3 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne insists he is staying upbeat, even though he is making his full-time F1 debut in arguably the slowest car overall in 2017. “We are last, that is the reality of our true state of performance,” the Belgian rookie’s famous teammate, Fernando Alonso, declared in Melbourne. “This is what we will see […]
Wehrlein to do Friday practice in China
Apr.3 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein will return to the cockpit of his Sauber this Friday in Shanghai. That is the claim of the Italian media, after the German apparently voluntarily withdrew from the Melbourne season opener citing a lack of fitness following his winter back injury. Wehrlein, backed by Mercedes, was replaced for qualifying and the […]
New F1 era means higher interest – Marko
Apr.3 (GMM) Spectator interest in F1 is picking up as the sport begins its new era. That is the view of Dr Helmut Marko, a top motor racing official for Red Bull, the owner of two F1 teams and promoter of the Austrian grand prix. Trackside spectator numbers and TV ratings already got a boost […]
Verstappen hails new direction for 2021 engines
Apr.3 (GMM) Max Verstappen has backed F1’s move to simpler engine technology for 2021 and beyond. Last Friday, the manufacturers already on the grid met with the FIA in Paris to discuss a new engine formula for the sport beyond 2020. But the FIA confirmed that “manufacturers and independent suppliers not currently involved in F1” […]
Jos Verstappen arrested after club brawl
Apr.3 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s father was taken into police custody following a nightclub brawl, reports in the Dutch media claim. De Limburger newspaper said former F1 driver Jos Verstappen suffered facial injuries in the fight, with club staff in Roermond ordering those fighting to leave. “A man with significant injuries refused,” the Dutch broadcaster 1Limburg […]
Barrichello’s son starts car racing career
Apr.3 (GMM) Rubens Barrichello’s son is now beginning his own single seater adventure. Already, the son of Barrichello’s former Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher – 18-year-old Mick – is climbing his way up the ladder towards F1. And now, Germany’s Auto Bild reports that Eduardo Barrichello will start his own single seater career in May. Photos […]
Red Bull targets race wins by Austria
Apr.3 (GMM) Red Bull is targeting race victories later in 2017, according to team official Dr Helmut Marko. The energy drink company will host the F1 circus at the Red Bull Ring for July’s Austrian grand prix, and Marko said the RB13 could be ready to win by then. “The basic concept of the car […]
‘No panic’ after Ferrari victory – Allison
Mar.31 (GMM) James Allison has hailed Ferrari’s return to winning form but vowed to hit back at his former employer. The highly respected engineer ended his stint as Ferrari’s technical director last year amid tragedy and acrimony, switching to Mercedes for 2017 to run the title-winning UK-based team’s technical division. But with Ferrari now relying […]
Haas has ‘best drivers possible’ – Steiner
Mar.30 (GMM) Team boss Gunther Steiner has defended Haas’ 2017 driver lineup. Ahead of the season, the new American outfit replaced ousted 2016 driver Esteban Gutierrez with Renault refugee Kevin Magnussen. The Dane joins existing Haas driver Romain Grosjean, who qualified sixth in Melbourne. But Magnussen had a much less impressive start, and neither finished […]
Huge pressure on Schumacher’s shoulders – Villeneuve
Mar.30 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve has tipped a bright future for Mick Schumacher if the young German can “deal with the pressure”. The 1997 world champion has a unique perspective on the youngster’s rise to F1, having duelled wheel to wheel with Mick’s famous father Michael Schumacher some 20 years ago. But not just that, Villeneuve […]
Massa tips Stroll to improve in 2017
Mar.30 (GMM) Felipe Massa has tipped his rookie teammate Lance Stroll to bounce back after a tough start to the teenager’s F1 career. Having secured his Williams debut amid suggestions of being a wealthy ‘pay driver’, 18-year-old Stroll had a difficult winter with F1’s much faster cars for 2017 and then more troubles in the […]