May 28 (GMM) F1 cars will reportedly be fitted with a further development of the ‘halo’ cockpit protection system in 2017. Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport said the decision was taken by the FIA as well as team technical directors during a five-hour meeting at Monaco’s Novotel hotel on Friday. The decision to definitely push […]
Kvyat says F1 future ‘in my hands now’
May 28 (GMM) According to the latest paddock whispers, Daniil Kvyat could be heading for the exit of Red Bull’s F1 programme. Recently relegated from the top team to Toro Rosso, speculation suggests the young Russian might now be in the frame for a move to Williams for 2017, replacing the experienced Felipe Massa. The […]
Another crash could mean team orders – Hamilton
May 28 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has admitted he and teammate Nico Rosberg cannot afford to crash again and continue to stave off the imposition of team orders. The reigning triple world champion said it is “cool” that even after taking each other out in Barcelona, Mercedes has left the silver-clad duo free to keep racing […]
Mercedes must keep Rosberg – Lauda
May 27 (GMM) Niki Lauda on Friday said it must be Mercedes’ priority to keep Nico Rosberg. Championship leader Rosberg’s contract expires at the end of the year, and he is being assisted in his negotiations to renew it by F1 legend Gerhard Berger. “I’m friends with him and his father Keke,” Berger confirmed to […]
Red Bull, Renault poised to extend deal
May 27 (GMM) Renault and Red Bull seem poised to extend their engine deal beyond 2016. After the breakdown of their semi-works partnership last year, the parties agreed to enter a customer supply deal for 2016, with Red Bull’s Renault engines now branded as Tag-Heuer. Red Bull, however, has rarely been happier with Renault than […]
Legal action ‘wrong path’ for Bianchi family – Stewart
May 27 (GMM) F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart has questioned the Bianchi family’s decision to sue the sport over the death of their son. 25-year-old Jules Bianchi died last year as a result of his horror crash in a wet gravel trap in fading light at Suzuka late in 2014. Headed by his father Philippe, […]
Ferrari to be first with 2017 test car
May 27 (GMM) Ferrari looks set to get the jump on the F1 field for 2017 by being first out of the blocks with a test car. Top teams have put their hands up to help official supplier Pirelli develop its bigger and significantly different tyres for the wider and faster cars of next year. […]
Kvyat ‘not afraid’ of Red Bull criticism
May 27 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat insists he is “not afraid” of speaking his mind in the wake of his controversial demotion by Red Bull. Just before Max Verstappen won in Barcelona, it was Russian Kvyat who was unceremoniously flicked back to the energy drink company’s junior team Toro Rosso. Obviously angry, the 22-year-old has since […]
Toro Rosso wants up-to-date engines for 2017
May 27 (GMM) Toro Rosso is moving to receive up-to-date engines from Ferrari in 2017. This year, after the collapse of the semi-works relationship between team owner Red Bull and Renault, Toro Rosso moved to 2015-spec Ferrari power this year. It means the Faenza team, whilst having one of the best cars on the grid, […]
Zandvoort eyes Dutch grand prix return
May 27 (GMM) The Netherlands could be back on the F1 calendar by 2020. The famous Zandvoort circuit and the Dutch grand prix have been missing from the calendar since 1985. But with Max Verstappen now stirring unprecedented interest, Zandvoort circuit chief Erik Weijers has been quoted by Noordhollands Dagblad newspaper as revealing The Hague […]
Mercedes admits Red Bull threat in Monaco
May 27 (GMM) After Max Verstappen’s surprise win in Barcelona, Red Bull appears poised to complete a back-to-back upset this weekend in Monaco. With Renault’s much improved engine in the rear of his car, Daniel Ricciardo was so far clear of the field in Thursday practice that most are assuming the Australian is the man […]
Vandoorne ‘not for sale’ – Dennis
May 26 (GMM) Team supremo Ron Dennis has warned McLaren’s rivals that Stoffel Vandoorne is “not for sale”. The Belgian and reigning GP2 champion, who made his impressive F1 debut in injured Fernando Alonso’s car in Bahrain, says he is keen to step into a full-time cockpit for 2017. “I’m pushing very hard and know […]
Bianchi family to sue F1 authorities
May 26 (GMM) Jules Bianchi’s family is launching legal action against F1 authorities over the death of the French driver. Bianchi, 25, died last year after a late 2014 collision with a trackside recovery vehicle in fading light at Suzuka. Reports on Thursday ahead of the Monaco grand prix, where in 2014 Bianchi famously scored […]
Berger involved in Rosberg’s contract talks
May 26 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger has admitted he is involved in Nico Rosberg’s negotiations with Mercedes over a new contract beyond 2017. Earlier, the former Ferrari and McLaren driver was quoted as saying he recommended that both parties “renew the contract”. Now, Berger has confirmed to Germany’s Auto Bild that he is representing […]
Rosberg wants ‘more years’ at Mercedes
May 26 (GMM) Championship leader Nico Rosberg has now played down swirling speculation that he might leave Mercedes at the end of the season. An Italian newspaper recently suggested talks with Ferrari have begun, with Germany’s Sport Bild now claiming the 30-year-old is moving to push his retainer much closer to the many more millions […]
Gutierrez not joining Grosjean in Nascar
May 26 (GMM) Romain Grosjean’s teammate sounds uninterested in joining the Frenchman in a one-off Nascar outing. The pair race for Gene Haas’ new F1 team, with the Californian also co-owning the top Nascar outfit Stewart-Haas. Grosjean is keen to use the opportunity to try American’s premier tin-top racing category, perhaps with a Sprint Cup […]
Alonso surprised over bosses’ optimism
May 26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso on Wednesday sounded surprised when told that McLaren chiefs Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier have been making very upbeat comments lately. McLaren supremo Dennis has been talking about wins and team boss Boullier declared that the MP4-31 is even better than Ferrari’s. “Who said that?” Alonso is quoted by Spanish […]
‘Respect’ intact but Mercedes tension lingers
May 26 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg entered the Monaco paddock on Wednesday with the message that everything is ‘ok’ with their relationship. “Do I think everything is ok? No I don’t,” former double world champion Mika Hakkinen, who lives in Monaco, said on a visit to the paddock on Wednesday. Mercedes team figures […]
Verstappen success good for me – Sainz
May 26 (GMM) Carlos Sainz thinks the quick success achieved by his former teammate Max Verstappen could also reflect well on him. Indeed, Spain’s AS newspaper mentioned the 21-year-old as a potential candidate to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari next year. When asked about that, Sainz said in Monaco: “I need to keep doing what […]
Ricciardo still in the game with new engine
May 26 (GMM) Red Bull has made clear Daniel Ricciardo is still in the game at the energy drink company’s top F1 team. Although the Australian is an established F1 star, it has been F1 teen sensation Max Verstappen grabbing all the praise and headlines in the wake of his Barcelona win. “What? Verstappen won […]