May 1 (GMM) Monisha Kaltenborn is once again missing in action this weekend in Russia. Earlier in 2016, the Sauber boss and co-owner’s paddock absence stirred speculation the Swiss team’s obvious financial problems may in fact be terminal. But the well-connected Swiss newspaper Blick insists that Kaltenborn is only absent this weekend at Sochi in […]
F1 says Azerbaijan fighting no threat to race
May 1 (GMM) F1’s governing body as well as supremo Bernie Ecclestone have backed Azerbaijan after declaring local fighting is no risk to the inaugural grand prix in Baku next month. A month ago, the Azerbaijan government dismissed suggestions fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed local region, might jeopardise the safe running of forthcoming sports events. […]
Sirotkin to get another Friday outing – manager
Apr.30 (GMM) Sochi was not a one-off Friday morning appearance for Sergey Sirotkin. That is the claim of the young Russian’s manager, after Sirotkin impressed in front of his home crowd to go faster than Renault regular Jolyon Palmer. New tester Sirotkin, 20, and his backers SMP Racing, have inked a deal with Renault that […]
Ferrari pushing ‘like crazy’ to catch Mercedes
Apr.30 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has had a troubled weekend so far in Russia. After early-season reliability trouble and then a controversial clash with teammate Kimi Raikkonen in China, the German then struck more reliability problems on Friday in Russia. And a changed gearbox means he will serve a five-position demotion on the Sochi grid. According […]
Palmer suspects Nasr-like chassis flaw
Apr.30 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer is beginning to suspect a chassis problem may be behind his recent struggle to match his Renault teammates’ pace in 2016. After a solid F1 race debut in Melbourne, the British rookie struggled notably in China – finishing dead last – and he says those troubles have carried over into Russia. […]
Russia GP secure with Putin’s backing – Ecclestone
Apr.30 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says Russia will stay on the F1 schedule so long as it has the backing of Vladimir Putin. The F1 supremo is an avowed admirer of the controversial Russian president, who Ecclestone said is likely to present the trophies on the podium on Sunday. “We’ll see, but we would be very […]
Toro Rosso chief admits Verstappen could ‘move up’ in 2017
Apr.30 (GMM) The Max Verstappen camp is not denying speculation the Dutchman looks set to graduate from Toro Rosso to the main Red Bull team for 2017. Amid rumours Red Bull must complete the promotion in order to hang on to the 18-year-old contractually, Dr Helmut Marko recently hinted that Verstappen is so good that […]
FIA confirms ‘Aeroscreen’ under consideration
Apr.29 (GMM) The FIA has now confirmed that Red Bull’s ‘Aeroscreen’ concept is in the running to be introduced in formula one. Daniel Ricciardo tested the windshield-style driver cockpit protection in the opening minutes of practice in Russia. Earlier, the FIA’s preferred solution for 2017 was the Mercedes-devised ‘halo’ concept that debuted on the Ferrari […]
Magnussen admits ‘pressure’ from Sirotkin, Ocon
Apr.29 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has played down the fact he will sit out Friday morning practice in Russia. Renault has inked a deal with SMP Bank-backed SMP Racing, in which Russian hopeful Sergey Sirotkin will get an outing in Magnussen’s car on Friday. “I do not comment on the timing and whether it’s right or […]
Sirotkin happy to beat Palmer
Apr.29 (GMM) Sergey Sirotkin made a good first impression as he ran in morning practice in Russia. The Russian, in Kevin Magnussen’s car, was a full 0.8 tenths faster than Renault regular Jolyon Palmer. “Yes, I surprised myself because eight tenths in formula one terms is really a lot,” Sirotkin said. “At the same time […]
New chassis may not solve problems – Nasr
Apr.29 (GMM) Felipe Nasr is not completely sure a new chassis will fix the handling problems he has been suffering throughout 2016 so far. The Brazilian confirmed in Russia that, after struggling with braking instability at the opening four rounds, he will get a new monocoque to drive at Sochi this weekend. “It is a […]
Mercedes also spent ‘tokens’ for Sochi
Apr.29 (GMM) Ferrari is not the only engine manufacturer that spent some performance development ‘tokens’ ahead of Russia. It was already known that Ferrari had upgraded its ‘power unit’, but Auto Motor und Sport now reports that reigning champions Mercedes have also handed in some tokens – two – for Sochi. “The modifications relate to […]
Marko plays down Verstappen-Kvyat rumours
Apr.29 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has played down speculation Max Verstappen will definitely be promoted to Red Bull’s senior team for 2017. The Austrian, who runs the energy drink company’s F1 driver programme, was quoted recently as suggesting that because Dutchman Verstappen is so good, he will almost certainly move on after two years at […]
Alonso finally recovered after Melbourne crash
Apr.29 (GMM) Fernando Alonso said he is finally back to “100 per cent” fitness, more than a month after his huge crash in Australia. The Spaniard missed Bahrain and returned to action in China, but said in Russia for the fourth round of 2016 that only now is he no longer “taking any pills”. “I […]
GPDA tried to derail 2017 chassis changes
Apr.29 (GMM) The drivers’ representative body, the GPDA, made a bid to derail the new chassis regulations that will be introduced in 2017. Several drivers have argued that speeding up the cars next year by adding downforce is not the right move for F1. “Just like with the new qualifying, you hope the engineers who […]
Political progress ‘a step forward’ for Monza
Apr.29 (GMM) Italy’s automobile club chief has admitted political changes this week could be a “step forward” in Monza’s quest for a new grand prix deal. Reportedly after a running dispute with Bernie Ecclestone, the boss of the circuit operator Sias, Andrea Dell’Orto, stepped down. “We could say it is a step forward,” Angelo Sticchi […]
Vettel confirms Ferrari updates in Sochi
Apr.29 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted Ferrari has taken an engine upgrade to Sochi. “You know more than we do so I don’t need to say anything!” the German joked, when asked by a reporter about Ferrari’s new engine and front wing in Russia. “I think it is quite normal these days that you bring […]
Verstappen denies F1 career in plateau
Apr.29 (GMM) Max Verstappen has denied he is already hitting a plateau, four races into the second season in his otherwise meteoric F1 career. The young Dutchman was asked at Sochi about reports a former world champion had said that after Verstappen burst into F1 last year, he is struggling to make the same impact […]
F1 close to engine agreement for 2017, 2018
Apr.29 (GMM) Contrary to reports elsewhere, it appears F1 is in fact close to agreeing changes to the engine rules for 2017. After the strategy group and F1 Commission meetings early this week, reports suggested progress has not been made because key people were not in London. But a source close to the FIA has […]
Russia GP night race talks still on
Apr.29 (GMM) Talks are still on track for Sochi to switch to a night race format in the future. Last year, it was reported the Russian organisers, supported by president Vladimir Putin, were open to Bernie Ecclestone’s push for a night race by 2017. “The promoter of the Russian grand prix, Sergey Vorobyov, continues to […]