Mar.25 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has ruled out calling it quits amid the McLaren-Honda crisis. Asked how he is coping with a third consecutive year with an unreliable and uncompetitive Honda power unit, he told Corriere della Sera: “I have the answer — you work hard. “I am going? Where would I go? What would I […]
Jos Verstappen fears for Vandoorne career
Mar.25 (GMM) Jos Verstappen has added to the widespread criticism of McLaren’s hapless works engine partner Honda. The former F1 driver, and father of Red Bull sensation Max Verstappen, might already be frustrated that Mercedes and Ferrari have emerged in 2017 ahead of his son’s camp. “So far we meet expectations, with Mercedes in another […]
Honda engine rebuild to take ‘two months’
Mar.25 (GMM) Honda has acknowledged the need to rebuild its hapless 2017 power unit. Amid rumours works partner McLaren is considering dumping its Japanese partner, reports say Honda is starting work on a major upgrade. “The difference in power with our rivals is big,” Honda’s F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa is quoted by Spanish newspapers including […]
Lauda hails ‘pink’ F1 sponsor publicity coup
Mar.26 (GMM) Niki Lauda has hailed the publicity coup pulled off by Force India and its new major sponsor. It is believed Austrian water company BWT paid $20 million to have the Silverstone based team paint its 2017 cars and the drivers’ helmets pink. “I don’t feel good in pink,” admitted 20-year-old team driver Esteban […]
Ecclestone hopes for strong Ferrari in Australia
Mar.25 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is not in Melbourne, but from a distance he made clear his fingers are crossed for a strong Ferrari in the 2017 season opener. “I really hope they will be strong,” said the former F1 supremo, who according to La Gazzetta dello Sport is currently in Brazil, the native country of […]
McLaren can win without Honda – Coulthard
Mar.24 (GMM) Former McLaren driver David Coulthard has hinted the great British team must contemplate dumping Honda. There are claims that despite the millions in sponsorship brought by Honda, not to mention the free engine supply and manufacturer support, McLaren is nonetheless considering reverting to a customer engine deal with Mercedes. Coulthard, who drove for […]
Mercedes removes trick suspension voluntarily
Mar.25 (GMM) Mercedes has “voluntarily” removed its controversial suspension system for the Australian grand prix. It follows Saturday’s news that, following complaints about the active suspension-mimicking technology from Ferrari, the FIA told Red Bull to take off a similar system. But Auto Motor und Sport says that while Mercedes’ version is technically legal, the team […]
Sauber replaces Wehrlein with Giovinazzi
Mar.25 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein will sit out the rest of the 2017 season opener in Australia. The German got FIA medical clearance to participate in Friday practice following his winter back injury. But Sauber announced early on Saturday that it has “decided to replace” the 22-year-old for qualifying and the race with Ferrari reserve Antonio […]
Brawn ready to ‘fight’ as pecking order unfurls
Mar.25 (GMM) Ross Brawn says he will be keeping an eagle-eye on the track in 2017, starting with this weekend’s Australian grand prix. In Melbourne, bold new regulations producing much faster cars are having their maiden competitive outing, but Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton looks set to dominate. That is despite the fact that, in the winter, […]
One upside to Vasseur’s exit – Prost
Mar.24 (GMM) There is an upside to the departure of Frederic Vasseur as Renault team boss. That is the claim of F1 legend and Renault team advisor Alain Prost, referring to Vasseur’s surprise exit ahead of the 2017 season. Last season, now former Renault driver Kevin Magnussen hinted at political turmoil within the team, with […]
MotoGP better than F1 – Marquez
Mar.24 (GMM) Top MotoGP racer Marc Marquez says he is glad he excels on two wheels rather than four. “I would never have the motivation to be a formula one driver,” the Spanish triple world champion told Germany’s Sport Bild. “Just a few years ago, we (MotoGP) were looking at formula one as the model […]
Only Red Bull changed suspension system
Mar.24 (GMM) Red Bull was the team most affected by a clampdown on controversial suspension systems ahead of the Australian grand prix. That is the claim of the latest media reports, amid paddock speculation in Melbourne that both Mercedes and Red Bull had to take ‘active suspension’-mimicking systems off their cars after winter testing. But […]
Brawn defends diluting F1 ‘exclusivity’
Mar.24 (GMM) Ross Brawn thinks F1 can afford to dilute some of its “exclusivity” in order to bring the fans closer to the action. A debate is now raging about new owner Liberty Media’s decision to start selling access to the paddock, which until now has been a closely-guarded inner sanctum for VIPs and the […]
Alonso sidesteps Honda axe rumours
Mar.24 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has refused to comment on speculation McLaren is contemplating dumping its hapless works engine partner Honda. After a tough opening two years of the Anglo-Japanese collaboration, McLaren is still at the back of the field and struggling for mere reliability due to Honda’s new power unit. One rumour is the McLaren […]
‘Customer’ Williams can win title – Lowe
Mar.24 (GMM) Paddy Lowe says it is possible Williams could win a world championship with customer engine power. Lowe’s former McLaren boss Ron Dennis said not too long ago that title success is actually only possible by collaborating with a carmaker. Technical boss Lowe subsequently moved to Mercedes and presided over the team’s three consecutive […]
Vettel fends off Mercedes switch rumours
Mar.24 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel says he “will not be distracted” amid speculation he could be first in line for a move to Mercedes for 2018. Mercedes signed up Valtteri Bottas only for this year, with team boss Toto Wolff admitting quadruple world champion Vettel “would fit” at the German team. Vettel said he is not […]
FIA deletes ‘Verstappen rule’ for 2017
Mar.24 (GMM) F1’s governing body has scrapped the so-called ‘Verstappen rule’ for 2017. Last year, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s controversial driving style triggered a blanket ban on changes of direction under braking. For 2017, the rule is gone, reports Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. “Perhaps there will not be less investigations,” race director Charlie […]
‘Shark fins’ staying in F1 for now
Mar.23 (GMM) F1 fans will have to get used to the look of the ‘shark fins’ in 2017. New F1 chief Ross Brawn hinted recently that the unseemly appendages should be banned as soon as possible, but that would require unanimity up and down pitlane. FIA race director Charlie Whiting confirmed in Melbourne: “There is […]
Back injury ‘all good’ for Melbourne – Wehrlein
Mar.23 (GMM) F1 doctors on Thursday gave Pascal Wehrlein the green light to race in Australia, following a back injury that marred his pre-season. “The back is all good now,” the Sauber driver is quoted by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport in Melbourne. Wehrlein missed the first Barcelona test but returned without major issue for […]
Test results put pressure on Ferrari – Hakkinen
Mar.23 (GMM) Toto Wolff has denied claims Mercedes adopted a strategy to “bluff” its way through the recent winter test season. Interest in the 2017 pecking order is almost unprecedented, amid the big rule changes and the perception Ferrari has closed the gap and perhaps even passed Mercedes. But former F1 chief Eddie Jordan actually […]