Sep.9 (GMM) Max Verstappen is not ruling out a bid for victory under the Singapore lights next weekend. Amid a strong run of form for Red Bull, the team faltered at Monza, with team figures admitting the improved Renault engine is still no match for Mercedes and Ferrari. “Monza is our weakest circuit,” admitted boss […]
Ocon seems destined for Renault seat
Sep.8 (GMM) Esteban Ocon’s future at Renault appears all but guaranteed. The French works team has reportedly told Kevin Magnussen that a decision about the 2017 driver lineup is now imminent. And according to Speed Week, one cockpit will surely be filled by 19-year-old French rookie Ocon, who was loaned by Mercedes to Renault this […]
Whiting denies job talks with F1 teams
Sep.8 (GMM) Charlie Whiting has slammed reports suggesting he is looking for another job in F1. Germany’s Auto Bild claimed last week that the sport’s long-serving race director and starter wants to leave the FIA and is already in talks with a couple of teams. “That’s preposterous,” the 64-year-old told Auto Motor und Sport. “I […]
Ecclestone wanted 7-year Monza deal – Capelli
Sep.8 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone wanted Monza’s new deal to be for a full seven years, according to race consultant Ivan Capelli. The F1 supremo and Italian grand prix officials finally announced last weekend that Monza’s future on the calendar is secure at least until 2019. However, Ecclestone usually prefers long-term, 7-year contracts rather than the […]
Verstappen thanks Hamilton for backing
Sep.8 (GMM) Max Verstappen has thanked Lewis Hamilton after the reigning world champion backed the driving of the controversial 18-year-old. With the Dutchman under attack recently for what some see as an overly aggressive racing style, Hamilton said at Monza: “Give the guy a break, he is 18 years old.” Verstappen, having faced a barrage […]
Perez staying amid Force India buyout rumours
Sep.8 (GMM) Sergio Perez is staying with Force India, amid rumours in Mexico that his backers may even buy the Silverstone based team. It is now considered an open secret that, despite flirting with Renault, the on-form Perez is actually staying with Force India for 2017. “The new contract is signed,” sporting boss Otmar Szafnauer […]
Vandoorne wants to beat Alonso in 2017
Sep.8 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne insists he is looking forward to going up against Fernando Alonso next year at McLaren. It was announced at Monza that the 24-year-old Belgian rookie will make his full-time F1 debut next year with the British team. Spaniard Alonso had a bad experience of going up against a highly-rated rookie at […]
Ecclestone staying as F1 sale announced
Sep.8 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is staying in formula one, despite earlier speculation that the F1 supremo would be ousted amid the sale deal to Liberty Media. That deal was announced late on Wednesday but must first be approved by European authorities and the FIA. But when it does go through, Ecclestone will still be chief […]
Russian GP2 driver reveals F1 talks
Sep.7 (GMM) Artem Markelov, a Russian GP2 driver, claims he is in talks with “a number of teams” about entering formula one. The 21-year-old, who is linked to the ownership of the Russian Time GP2 team, is currently 11th in the standings and won the Monaco feature race this year. “Now I can say that […]
Sainz plays down latest Renault switch rumours
Sep.7 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has played down any lingering speculation that he might still be in the running to change teams for 2017. Earlier, there were suggestions Red Bull might agree to release the Toro Rosso driver to engine supplier Renault, in exchange for a better deal on the ‘power unit’ supply. Those rumours resurfaced […]
Massa rules out returning to Brazil
Sep.7 (GMM) Felipe Massa has ruled out continuing his racing career next year in Brazil’s domestic stock car series. The 15-year F1 veteran announced at Monza that he will retire from the category at the end of 2016. Massa’s father, Luis Antonio, said subsequently that it is possible the 35-year-old will keep racing next year […]
Ecclestone not committing to post-sale F1
Sep.7 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is not committing to his current role in charge of F1 if the sale to US media tycoon John Malone’s Liberty Group goes through. The first instalment in the billion dollar deal is expected to arrive on Wednesday, with Malone said to be keen to put Chase Carey, a 21st Century […]
Palmer’s father could be British GP saviour
Sep.6 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer’s father has emerged as a potential saviour for the British grand prix. F1 business journalist Christian Sylt has reported that the future of the historic race is in doubt, now writing in the Telegraph that the current owner, the British Racing Drivers’ Club, is “distancing itself” from the track amid losses. […]
Wolff plays down Ecclestone successor reports
Sep.6 (GMM) Toto Wolff has played down suggestions he would make an ideal successor to Bernie Ecclestone. As speculation swirls about new majority owners for F1’s commercial rights, it has been suggested F1 supremo Ecclestone’s long reign could end imminently. Amid that talk, the 85-year-old chief executive this week said Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, […]
Verstappen tells Lauda to go to psychiatrist too
Sep.6 (GMM) Max Verstappen has told his critics to “get used to” his on-track style. The 18-year-old was the hot topic of conversation in the Monza paddock, a week after riling Kimi Raikkonen and many of his rivals at Spa. F1 legend Niki Lauda even urged the Dutchman to go to a “psychiatrist” to temper […]
Nyck de Vries eyes Vandoorne’s McLaren role
Sep.6 (GMM) The next young charger is now stepping up a notch at McLaren. The British team announced at Monza that veteran Jenson Button is stepping aside for 2017, to be replaced by hot 24-year-old Belgian rookie Stoffel Vandoorne. That is also good news for Nyck de Vries, a 21-year-old Dutchman who is also part […]
Verstappen no fan of ‘Halo’ system
Sep.6 (GMM) Max Verstappen has admitted he is no fan of the ‘Halo’. The 18-year-old became the latest driver to try the controversial cockpit protection system at Monza, as the governing FIA seeks the feedback of the entire grid before introducing it in 2018. Verstappen told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “It is difficult to […]
Race for Singapore win could be close
Sep.6 (GMM) The race could be on for victory in next weekend’s Singapore grand prix. The inter-team fight for the title, however, is all but over, with Ferrari having already ceded defeat to Mercedes. “I have already said a few times that work on the 2017 car began very early and very intensely,” said team […]
Williams to replace Massa with Stroll – sources
Sep.5 (GMM) Williams looks set to replace the retiring Felipe Massa with Canadian rookie Lance Stroll for 2017. Earlier, Jenson Button was a leading candidate to replace Massa next year, but the Briton announced at Monza that he is taking a sabbatical and can return only with McLaren in 2018. Speed Week reports that “various […]
Vettel ‘struggling’ at Ferrari – Lauda
Sep.5 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is currently “struggling” in his role as Ferrari’s lead driver. That is the view of Ferrari legend and current Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda, as the fabled Maranello team writes off its chances of winning the 2016 title. “We wanted to win and have a say in the title,” team boss […]