Jul.22 (GMM) Esteban Gutierrez says his future is secure. Actually, Haas’ team boss says it is leaving the driver question open for now, so when asked about 2017, Romain Grosjean smiled: “Ask Gunther (Steiner)!” But the Frenchman dropped a big hint that he sees Haas as a long-term project, even though he admits there had […]
Bottas admits F1 future not secure yet
Jul.22 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he still does not know if he will be staying at Williams in 2017. The British team is currently keeping its options open, amid links with Jenson Button and also Lance Stroll, a Canadian rookie who is said to have $35 million in backing behind him thanks to his billionaire […]
Staying at Sauber an option after buyout – Nasr
Jul.22 (GMM) Felipe Nasr is not ruling out staying at Sauber in the wake of the Swiss team’s buyout by an investment group. Marcus Ericsson in Hungary joined boss Monisha Kaltenborn in not commenting on speculation that the buyers are linked to the Swedish driver’s sponsors. Nasr, meanwhile, brings backing from the Banco do Brasil, […]
Vettel blames media amid Ferrari ‘crisis’
Jul.22 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has pointed a finger at the media as talk of a Ferrari ‘crisis’ swirls in Hungary. Overtaken in recent races by Red Bull, Ferrari has also been struggling with reliability problems. Now, there are rumours that technical director James Allison is departing, that Ross Brawn could replace him, and that Vettel […]
Button not sure McLaren can win in 2017
Jul.22 (GMM) Jenson Button is not so sure McLaren-Honda can be in a winning position as soon as 2017. His teammate, Fernando Alonso, is already under contract for next year and he says the target is not only wins but the world championship. Button’s situation is much less clear, with Williams apparently interested in signing […]
2017 talks not just with Renault – Magnussen
Jul.22 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has admitted for the first time that he is looking beyond Renault to secure his future in formula one. But the Dane does welcome news that the French works team has now stopped developing the 2016 car in order to focus completely on the new regulations. “Yes, because we can’t win […]
Kvyat backs world champions’ F1 criticism
Jul.22 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat has backed the complaints of two multiple champions as today’s face of formula one comes under the microscope. Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel could not hide their frustration when asked about the latest radio restrictions and the new track surface and kerbs at the Hungaroring ahead of this weekend’s action. German […]
Latest radio rules divide F1 paddock
Jul.21 (GMM) The F1 paddock remains split on the issue of radio restrictions, as the FIA further tightened the rules ahead of the Hungarian grand prix. In a shock move following recent criticisms, the governing body on Thursday revealed a further clarification. The headline is that a driver like Nico Rosberg at Silverstone who is […]
FIA using technology to enforce track limits
Jul.21 (GMM) F1’s governing body has turned to technology to enforce the thorny topic of ‘track limits’ this weekend in Hungary. Keeping all four wheels on the track has been a controversial topic of late, and Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg acknowledged the problem. “Charlie Whiting is in a difficult situation,” he is quoted by […]
Ferrari needs ‘time’ amid F1 recovery – Berger
Jul.21 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger says Ferrari needs “time” to recapture its glory days. The Italian press is currently characterising Ferrari as being in ‘crisis’, having failed to capitalise on its progress and being out-performed in recent races by Red Bull. Technical director James Allison is said to be departing, Ross Brawn has denied […]
Horner tips Mercedes switch for Vettel in 2018
Jul.21 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s former boss thinks the German driver may soon run out of patience for Ferrari. Christian Horner, who oversaw Vettel’s four consecutive world championships for Red Bull, told Sport Bild that he senses a lack of calm in the 29-year-old’s current disposition. “I have the feeling that Seb is a bit rattled,” […]
Imola files legal action to secure Italy GP
Jul.21 (GMM) Imola has filed legal action as it steps up its bid to host the Italian grand prix from 2017. Recent reports claimed Bernie Ecclestone had inked a deal with the former San Marino GP venue, but the contract could not be signed off because it lacked the endorsement and backing of the Italian […]
Bianchi had ‘difficult time’ in Ferrari talks – Massa
Jul.21 (GMM) Jules Bianchi was enduring a “difficult time” in his relationship with Ferrari when he crashed at Suzuka in 2014. That is the claim of F1 veteran Felipe Massa, as the sport this week marks the one year anniversary of the tragic death of the former Marussia driver. Bianchi, 25, was widely regarded as […]
Ericsson’s backers have bought Sauber – report
Jul.21 (GMM) Monisha Kaltenborn has declined to confirm or deny reports it is Marcus Ericsson’s Swedish backers who have bought the Sauber team. The Swiss outfit announced on Wednesday that it will be fully acquired by a Swiss-based group called Longbow Finance, resulting in the retirement of founder Peter Sauber. “As a Swiss company, we […]
Mercedes musing switch to 2017 project – Wolff
Jul.20 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted that managing the transition between focusing on the 2016 and 2017 seasons is currently a major topic at Brackley. The back-to-back world champions are once again leading the standings in 2016 but under increasing pressure from Red Bull and Ferrari. But next year, the chassis and tyre rules are […]
Renault admits 2017 driver lineup still open
Jul.20 (GMM) Renault has admitted that its driver lineup for 2017 remains totally open. Reports have suggested Jolyon Palmer is in danger of losing his seat at the newly reformed French works team, while teammate Kevin Magnussen is more confident of staying next year. But neither are under contract for 2017 and team spokesman Andy […]
Alonso says 2017 title ‘is the goal’
Jul.20 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is still not ruling out a tilt for the 2017 title. Soon, McLaren-Honda will welcome its new chief executive to Woking – current VW racing director Jost Capito – and Spaniard Alonso agrees that the German has a big task ahead. “There are many things that need to be improved to […]
Ferrari needs ‘quiet approach’ amid crisis – Brawn
Jul.20 (GMM) Ross Brawn has urged Ferrari to take a “quiet approach” to its quest for the world championship. The Maranello marque has not won a drivers’ title since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, despite new president Sergio Marchionne having predicted spoils this year. But the Italian media thinks Ferrari is back in ‘crisis’, reporting strong […]
Capelli ‘cannot see’ Monza losing F1 to Imola
Jul.20 (GMM) Former F1 driver Ivan Capelli says he is confident Monza will soon end its troubles and cement its place on the 2017 calendar. This week, reports have suggested Bernie Ecclestone is on the cusp of switching the Italian grand prix from Monza to Imola, citing “political problems”. Capelli is now president of the […]
Prost backs Raikkonen’s new Ferrari deal
Jul.20 (GMM) F1 legend Alain Prost has backed Ferrari’s decision to stick with Kimi Raikkonen. Finn Raikkonen’s new contract for 2017 has been controversial, given the fact younger chargers like Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo or Romain Grosjean were reportedly keen to join the fabled Maranello marque. But Prost, who was actually fired by Ferrari in […]