Oct.26 (GMM) Max Verstappen says it would be wrong to write off Lewis Hamilton’s chances of winning the 2016 season. Many observers think that with his 26 point advantage with just three races to go, Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg is an almost sure bet for the title. Indeed, Rosberg will get his first championship […]
‘Relaxed’ Massa eyeing next seat after F1
Oct.26 (GMM) Felipe Massa appears to have narrowed down his post-F1 options for 2017 to either a race seat in Formula E or the German touring car series DTM. Earlier, the retiring Williams driver had indicated Le Mans was another option. “Things are going the way I imagined and I’m happy with my decision,” said […]
Sepang will still host 2017 Malaysia GP
Oct.26 (GMM) Race organisers have admitted that scrapping the Malaysian grand prix would have legal ramifications. Government and Sepang circuit chiefs this week have flagged the possibility that the race will be scrapped due to the dwindling appeal of formula one. Some reports hinted a decision was imminent, but Sepang chief Razlan Razali has now […]
Horner praises Pirelli’s 2017 tyres
Oct.25 (GMM) The first real praise about Pirelli’s all-new bigger and wider tyres has finally emerged. Until now, although the aim is to make next year’s tyres faster, grippier and more durable, the drivers doing the testing have been offering mixed reviews. Now, the reason for that may have emerged. Auto Motor und Sport said […]
Sainz has ‘long future in F1’ – pundit
Oct.25 (GMM) Max Verstappen may have won the popular vote, but a spotlight is also being shon on another bright performance in Austin last weekend. The young Dutchman won the official ‘driver of the day’ fans’ vote after the US grand prix, but the Red Bull driver actually had a troubled race. Bosses Christian Horner […]
Italian press says Ferrari misses Alonso
Oct.25 (GMM) Amid a difficult closing phase of the 2016 season, Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel are continuing to get a battering in the Italian media. Pino Allievi, arguably the most respected Italian journalist in the paddock, was looking not at the Maranello team’s present but back to the past in assessing the US grand prix. […]
Rosberg ‘aware’ of Mexican match point
Oct.25 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he is “aware” that he could be crowned the 2016 world champion as soon as this weekend. Although his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton won from pole in Austin, Rosberg’s 26 point lead means that if he wins in Mexico and Hamilton retires, the German would be champion no matter what […]
Sepang says no quick decision over GP ‘break’
Oct.25 (GMM) Sepang, the host of the Malaysian grand prix, has warned there will be no quick decision over the future of the race near Kuala Lumpur. Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin caused a stir when he Tweeted that the Malaysian government should scrap the Malaysian grand prix because “Cost too high, returns limited”. Sepang’s current […]
Arrivabene rejects latest Ferrari rumours
Oct.24 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene has rejected the latest round of rumours about Ferrari. Austin was a bad weekend for the great team that is just third in the 2016 points standings, amid rumours Arrivabene could be replaced by McLaren’s Eric Boullier. Amid similar rumblings about Sebastian Vettel’s future, Arrivabene skipped his media duties after the […]
Gasly ‘cannot understand’ Kvyat decision
Oct.24 (GMM) Pierre Gasly has admitted he “cannot understand” why Red Bull overlooked him for a Toro Rosso seat for 2017. While Daniil Kvyat’s future has looked bleak at times this year, the energy drink camp has decided to keep both of Toro Rosso’s current drivers on board for next year. Behind Antonio Giovinazzi in […]
Rosberg denies settling for second in Austin
Oct.24 (GMM) World championship leader Nico Rosberg has denied settling for second place throughout the US grand prix. Even with teammate Lewis Hamilton having won from pole in Austin, Mercedes’ German driver can now finish second in Mexico and Brazil and third in Abu Dhabi and still win the 2016 title. But Rosberg said throughout […]
Ecclestone defends comments about Rosberg
Oct.24 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has defended his claim that Lewis Hamilton would make a better winner of the 2016 world championship. Notwithstanding Hamilton’s win from pole in Austin, it is German Rosberg who is still much more likely to manage his now 26-point advantage to the finale in Abu Dhabi. However, F1 supremo Ecclestone told […]
Nasr still denying Force India switch rumours
Oct.24 (GMM) Reports that Felipe Nasr is in pole position to secure the vacant Force India cockpit for 2017 are gaining strength. Even after the Brazilian rejected the rumours in Austin, the Brazilian broadcaster reported on Sunday that Nasr’s switch from Sauber to replace the Renault-bound Nico Hulkenberg is all but guaranteed. The rumours said […]
Alonso could quit even with Mercedes offer
Oct.24 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says even a plum seat at Mercedes or Red Bull would not convince him to stay in F1 if next year’s cars do not excite him. The Spaniard has warned repeatedly that his entire F1 career is riding on the 2017 regulations, because he is turned off by the current tyre […]
Haas ‘expected more’ from Gutierrez – boss
Oct.24 (GMM) Haas boss Gunther Steiner has admitted a question mark is hanging over Esteban Gutierrez’s future. While the Mexican is backed significantly by Carlos Slim and has the support of the team’s technical partner Ferrari, his place for 2017 seems much less secure than that of his teammate Romain Grosjean. “Frankly, it is clear […]
Red Bull’s Marko rejects wild Vettel rumour
Oct.23 (GMM) A wild rumour about the future of Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has been quickly shot down. The German caused a stir among the rumour mongers in Austin when he was seen in deep paddock conversation with his old Red Bull chiefs, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey. The meeting comes at an interesting time, […]
Bosses worry about latest F1 racing rule
Oct.23 (GMM) Two F1 team bosses are worried about further over-regulating how drivers do battle. In the drivers’ briefing in Austin, multiple experienced drivers hit out at Max Verstappen’s aggression and asked for a rule prohibiting changes of direction under braking. The FIA’s Charlie Whiting duly responded, saying such driving could from now on be […]
Lauda hits out at Ecclestone’s Rosberg comments
Oct.23 (GMM) Niki Lauda has hit out at F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, insisting his recent comments about Nico Rosberg are “very unfair”. As Rosberg closes on his first title, Ecclestone said he would prefer if Lewis Hamilton won a third consecutive crown because “there is nothing to write about” Mercedes’ German driver. But Lauda, an […]
Andretti still prefers F1 over Formula E
Oct.23 (GMM) Motor racing legend Mario Andretti says he still prefers F1 over the pinnacle of motor racing’s most modern of alternatives. Today, his son Michael – who also raced in F1 – runs a Formula E team, but 76-year-old Mario says he is no fan of the all-electric single seater series. “Frankly it does […]
Next piece of 2017 driver puzzle will be Bottas
Oct.23 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas will be the next piece of the 2017 driver puzzle to slot into place. Authoritative media sources, including Auto Motor und Sport and Denmark’s Ekstra Bladet, report that the Finn has definitely signed a new deal to stay at Williams. Sources say the contract, for just one year rather than the […]