Jan.12 (GMM) McLaren-Honda will launch its 2017 car on February 19, according to the Spanish sports daily AS. So far, four teams have announced launch dates for the new season: Renault will unveil its single seater on 21 February, Force India on the 22nd, and then Mercedes and Ferrari over the following two days. But […]
‘Mentor’ Alonso helped me thrive in F1 – Sainz
Jan.12 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has singled out fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso as one of the most influential figures in his rise to formula one. Although former Toro Rosso teammate Max Verstappen was promoted ahead of him in 2017, Sainz is also highly rated and was earlier linked with Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes seat for 2017. Red […]
McLaren still interested in F1 stake – Brown
Jan.12 (GMM) Zak Brown has played down reports F1 teams might be reluctant to accept Liberty Media’s offer of shares in the sport. It emerged in recent days that although the F1’s owner is offering up to 22 per cent of the commercial rights to the teams, it would not involve voting rights. But McLaren’s […]
Team boss Vasseur leaves Renault
Jan.11 (GMM) Team boss Frederic Vasseur has left Renault. There have been signs of political unrest inside the French works team for months, with Kevin Magnussen suggesting it is one of the reasons he decided to leave for Haas. “I feel like I’ve been unlucky in formula one to hit two teams (McLaren and Renault) […]
Williams not commenting on team shakeup
Jan.11 (GMM) Williams has declined to comment on a wave of speculation about the British team’s next moves. Mercedes has now confirmed that Paddy Lowe has left the reigning champions and entered a period of ‘gardening leave’. “I am looking forward to a new challenge and wish everyone well at Mercedes,” said Lowe. It is […]
Marchionne to retire after 2018
Jan.11 (GMM) Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne says he plans to retire after 2018. The 64-year-old took control of Fiat over a decade ago, but his ascendance at Ferrari has been more recent in the wake of Luca di Montezemolo’s exit. But Marchionne, an Italian Canadian, said in 2014 that he will “undoubtedly” retire after 2018. […]
Rosberg successor solution ‘so complicated’ – Lauda
Jan.11 (GMM) Niki Lauda says the identity of Lewis Hamilton’s new teammate for 2017 remains unknown because “it’s all so complicated”. Indeed, Mercedes has been scrambling to find a solution ever since Nico Rosberg shocked the entire F1 world by deciding to quit just days after winning his first and only title. “I saw it […]
Mercedes denies Bottas announcement date set
Jan.11 (GMM) Mercedes has denied reports it has set a date for the announcement of Lewis Hamilton’s teammate for 2017. Amid suggestions Nico Rosberg’s replacement will definitely be Valtteri Bottas, the Spanish sports daily AS said the German team already knows exactly when it will make the news official. “According to our sources, Bottas will […]
2017 training to be ‘intensive’ – Kvyat
Jan.10 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he has returned from a Christmas break to a spate of “intensive training” ahead of the 2017 season. The young Russian had a tumultuous 2016 season, almost not surviving his demotion to Toro Rosso following the rise of the even younger Max Verstappen. But Kvyat, 22, bounced back and is […]
Ferrari had two day Xmas holiday – Marchionne
Jan.10 (GMM) Ferrari is working harder than ever for F1 success in 2017, according to president Sergio Marchionne. He was speaking after being hailed on US president-elect Donald Trump’s famous Twitter account, with Ferrari parent Fiat Chrysler having announced plans to invest $1 billion in Michigan and Ohio. But Marchionne is also president of Ferrari, […]
Lowe could become Williams boss – report
Jan.10 (GMM) Paddy Lowe could leave his role as Mercedes’ technical boss in order to become the overall chief at Williams. That is the claim of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, explaining that the Briton’s next move could be intricately tied up in negotiations to free Valtteri Bottas from his Williams contract to join the […]
Rossi ‘logical choice’ for Mercedes – Zanardi
Jan.10 (GMM) Mercedes should have been braver and signed MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi for 2017. That is the view of former F1 driver Alex Zanardi, amid news the German team will almost certainly sign up Williams’ Valtteri Bottas instead. “For me, Valentino was the most logical choice,” Zanardi, a former Williams driver, told Italy’s La […]
Ecclestone tells Silverstone to stop complaining
Jan.10 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has told British officials to stop “complaining”, amid fears Silverstone will drop off the calendar after 2019. Circuit owner the BRDC has warned it could shortly trigger an exit clause in its 2026 contract for financial reasons, casting into doubt the future of the historic British grand prix. Figures including Sir […]
Gutierrez moves from F1 to Formula E
Jan.10 (GMM) After losing his seat at Haas, Esteban Gutierrez will continue his motor racing career in the Formula E single seater series. The Mexican driver and the electric-powered series has announced that the 25-year-old will race in “select events” this season, including in his native Mexico in April. Formula E said Gutierrez is in […]
Returning Massa broke Formula E deal – report
Jan.9 (GMM) Felipe Massa had to break an agreement to race in Formula E this year, according to the Spanish sports daily Marca. Although the Brazilian had officially retired from formula one, it is believed Williams convinced him to return in 2017 in order to replace Valtteri Bottas. None of the news is official, but […]
Lost money hurt Manor survival chances – owner
Jan.9 (GMM) Manor owner Stephen Fitzpatrick has admitted losing tenth place in the 2016 world championship was a real blow to the team’s hopes of survival. In late November, he denied that the lost $13-15 million in official prize money as a result of falling behind Sauber could spell the end of the backmarker team. […]
Hulkenberg happy without Mercedes seat
Jan.9 (GMM) As he prepares for 2017, Nico Hulkenberg insists he is content. That is despite the fact that, had he still been on the driver market for 2017, he might now be the sure favourite to replace Nico Rosberg at Mercedes. The German smiled: “Mercedes is the long-time engine partner of Force India and […]
Hulkenberg training hard for 2017
Jan.9 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says he has never worked harder ahead of a new season of formula one. The German is switching from the small outfit Force India to the Renault works team for 2017. Asked by Bild am Sonntag how he is preparing for the season, Hulkenberg answered: “More intensively than ever. “I have […]
Rosberg to watch Melbourne from the couch
Jan.9 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has no plans for the 2017 season opener in March except for “sitting on a couch”. “I’m just going to be at home, sitting on a couch, watching TV,” the reigning world champion, who stunned the F1 world by quitting just days after winning his first title, told CNN. Former Mercedes […]
Hakkinen confirms Bottas negotiations
Jan.9 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas’ next step in formula one will be known “in good time” before pre-season testing begins late next month. That is the news from Mika Hakkinen, the former two-time world champion who is now part of his fellow Finn’s management team. Hakkinen was speaking to the Finnish broadcaster MTV, amid strong rumours […]