Sep.3 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he can sense the optimism in his friend and countryman Fernando Alonso. Sainz, who drives for Toro Rosso, says McLaren’s Honda power unit has now overtaken the 2015-spec Ferrari that he uses. “Definitely,” he said at Monza. “Honda is yet to reach the level of Renault,” said Sainz, “but they’re […]
Wehrlein confident of 2017 contract
Sep.3 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein is confident he will still be a F1 driver in 2017. The German made his F1 debut at Manor this year with Mercedes’ backing. But he said at Monza: “I don’t know yet what I’m doing next year, because I have a one-year contract with Manor. “I think talks will be […]
F1 teams fear Zika virus in Singapore
Sep.3 (GMM) F1 teams are reportedly concerned about the risk of staff contracting the mosquito-borne Zika virus in Singapore later this month. The Sun newspaper reports that 150 cases have been recorded in the Asian city-state in the last week. The report said Mercedes plans to supply staff with long-sleeve tops, while Nico Rosberg has […]
Magnussen doubts Halo will make F1 debut
Sep.3 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen is not sure the controversial Halo device will ever be introduced in F1. More trials of the cockpit protection have taken place in Monza practice, and Force India’s Sergio Perez said: “I have to admit the Halo does not interfere with visibility. “But getting out of the cockpit took me five […]
Pirelli admits new tyre debut in doubt
Sep.3 (GMM) Pirelli has admitted it might not be able to introduce a new construction of tyre this year. The Italian marque is seeking the agreement of all the teams to bring in a safer construction, but some competitors fear it is fundamentally different and slower. As a last resort, Pirelli could turn to the […]
Verstappen slams Villeneuve after criticism
Sep.3 (GMM) Max Verstappen has hit back with fury at criticism from 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve. After the 18-year-old Red Bull driver’s controversial duel with Kimi Raikkonen at Spa, commentator Villeneuve said Verstappen should tone it down or risk killing a rival. “He should watch his statement that someone could die,” the Dutch broadcaster […]
Italian Grand Prix – 2nd Free Practice
Hamilton quickest with a 1:22.801 from Rosberg (+0.193), Vettel (+0.453), Raikkonen (+0.626), Verstappen (+0.931), Ricciardo (+1.202), Alonso (+1.458), Bottas (+1.498), Grosjean (+1.715) & Button (+1.748) Massa, Hulkenberg, Perez, Gutierrez, Ericsson, Wehrlein, Sainz, Ocon, Magnussen, Kvyat, Nasr and Palmer makes the rest of the field. Palmer covered the most number of laps with 45 followed by […]
Italian Grand Prix – 1st Free Practice
Rosberg quickest with a 1:22.959 from Hamilton (+0.203), Raikkonen (+1.088), Vettel (+1.348), Perez (+1.691), Grosjean (+1.804), Bottas (+1.826s), Verstappen (+2.023), Gutierrez (+2.154) and Ricciardo (+2.161). Button, Celis (Force India test driver), Alonso, Massa, Ericsson, Sainz, Kvyat, Ocon, Nasr. Wehrlein, Palmer and Magnussen make the rest of the field. Rosberg and Bottas covered the most number of laps with 37 laps each while Alonso only managed 14 laps followed by Raikkonen with […]
Grosjean hints at 2017 Haas stay
Sep.2 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has hinted strongly that he is staying at Haas for 2017. The Frenchman moved from Lotus to the new, Ferrari-linked American team for 2016, but is yet to be officially announced as a continuing driver for 2017. “Let’s put it this way,” he said at Monza. “I am looking forward to […]
Not every rival critical of Verstappen
Sep.2 (GMM) Not every driver is overly critical of Max Verstappen’s aggressive driving at Spa. It has emerged that Ferrari’s two drivers have sought out Charlie Whiting for talks. But not everyone is critical. “He is a fast driver and he has already shown that he can win races,” world champion Lewis Hamilton said. “He […]
New Monza deal set for Friday announcement
Sep.2 (GMM) A day and time has been set for the announcement of Monza’s new Italian grand prix deal. La Gazzetta dello Sport said F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, Italian officials and even FIA president Jean Todt will attend the signing of the new three-year contract at 3pm on Friday. “We worked hard, but with important […]
No talks with teams about 2017 – Massa
Sep.2 (GMM) Felipe Massa says he had no negotiations with F1 teams prior to announcing his decision to retire at Monza. The emotional Brazilian said he wanted to let the news slip at Monza, where exactly a decade ago Michael Schumacher announced his own retirement news. “Michael saved my career in 2006 and I’ll never […]
‘No information’ about Schumacher – Mamma Rossella
Sep.2 (GMM) Rossella Giannini says she has no information about Michael Schumacher’s condition, or contact with the great German’s family. ‘Mamma’ Rossella, owner of the fabled Montana restaurant near Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters, had a famously close relationship with the seven time world champion. “I still cannot believe what happened,” she told Bild newspaper. “Two days […]
Hockenheim says no 2017 race deal done yet
Sep.2 (GMM) Hockenheim chief Georg Seiler says no deal has been done to guarantee the future of the German grand prix for 2017. A draft calendar for next year is now doing the rounds in the paddock, featuring a German race date — even though the Nurburgring is financially unable to meet its contractual obligation […]
Whiting in talks to join F1 team – report
Sep.2 (GMM) Charlie Whiting may be looking for another job in F1. That F1’s long-serving top FIA race director and starter is in talks with a couple of teams could fire a major controversy, according to Germany’s Auto Bild. The report said Briton Whiting, 64, held talks with various teams last weekend at Spa. Whiting’s […]
Williams return for Button unlikely – source
Sep.2 (GMM) A seat may only have just become officially available, but Jenson Button may have missed the boat to switch to Williams for 2017. The 36-year-old driver and McLaren supremo Ron Dennis have said they will get together at Monza to discuss the future, amid strong speculation the Woking team will replace Button with […]
Massa to retire, Magnussen to race
Sep.1 (GMM) Felipe Massa has announced his retirement from formula one. The news was revealed during a press conference organised by his current team, Williams, at Monza ahead of the Italian grand prix. Brazilian Massa, 35, debuted for Sauber in 2002 and won 11 grands prix for Ferrari. “Every team I have been a part […]
Pizzonia’s top speed F1 record could tumble
Sep.1 (GMM) A 12-year F1 record might finally tumble at Monza this weekend. In 2004, it was Antonio Pizzonia who set the sport’s current top-speed record in a BMW-Williams, as he blasted down the long straight at 369.9kph through the official speed trap. That was with a 1000hp V10 screaming at 21,000rpm, but some believe […]
Vettel not committing whole career to Ferrari
Sep.1 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is relieved Monza looks to be back on track with a new three-year F1 race deal. “I could never imagine F1 without Monza,” he told Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper. “It would be a nightmare. “I can’t wait to be back on track with all those fans, the passion, the banners, […]
F1’s ‘second thoughts’ over Euro exodus – Monza
Sep.1 (GMM) Italian grand prix chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani thinks a shift back to Europe could be occurring in F1. After a long period of uncertainty, Monza and Bernie Ecclestone appear ready to sign on the dotted line of a new three-year contract from 2017. “In the next hours, lawyers will exchange the latest considerations […]