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 […]
Monza angry as Imola steps up GP bid
May 26 (GMM) A Monza official has hit out at Imola, the former San Marino grand prix host that is reportedly shaping up as an alternative venue for Italy’s annual F1 race. With negotiations between Monza and Bernie Ecclestone about 2017 and beyond still dragging on, officials at Imola – a famous circuit east of […]
Renault eyes leap into Q3
May 25 (GMM) Renault’s works team is eyeing a sudden leap into Q3 this weekend in Monaco. After the eleventh-hour Lotus takeover, it has been an uncompetitive full works return for the French marque in 2016 so far. But there are now signs of clear progress. This weekend, two versions of the Canada-spec engine upgrade, […]
Schumacher gets award for ‘life’s work’
May 25 (GMM) Michael Schumacher will be honoured at an award ceremony this week, the German newspaper Bild reports. The report said the inaugural ‘Nurburgring Award’ trophy will go to the great German on Friday after he won at the fabled circuit a record five times. As he is still recovering from his 2013 skiing […]
Wolff hopes drivers ‘have learned’ from crash
May 25 (GMM) Toto Wolff is heading into Monaco this weekend determined that Mercedes’ drivers will not crash again. From the moment Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg tangled and ended in the Barcelona gravel, the German team’s boss has played down the explosive incident. But now, just a day before track action resumes in Monaco […]
Verstappen ‘unbelievable’ at 18 – Prost
May 25 (GMM) F1 legend Alain Prost says Max Verstappen has been impressive beyond his mere age of 18. Some pundits are warning the F1 world not to go overboard in praise for the sport’s youngest ever winner, but Frenchman Prost is not among them. A winner of 51 grand prix wins and four titles, […]
Just 2 engines per driver by 2019 – report
May 25 (GMM) F1’s long-life engine rules will get more than twice as arduous for manufacturers beyond 2019. A few weeks ago, after a long period of negotiations, changes to further converge performance and cut costs were finally agreed. At the time, the FIA said cost reduction will be possible through a “progressive reduction of […]
F3 team Prema linked with F1 entry – report
May 24 (GMM) The next new team for F1 could now be on the horizon, according to Germany’s Auto Bild Motorsport. The publication suggested that Prema Powerteam, a lower-category Italian outfit that fields Lance Stroll in F3 and Mick Schumacher in Formula 4, could be first in line to emulate the successful new ‘Haas’-like model. […]
Too soon to predict Verstappen greatness – Petrov
May 24 (GMM) It might be too early to predict greatness for F1 teen sensation Max Verstappen, according to a former grand prix driver. Even before his first win in Barcelona, many insiders were wondering if Red Bull’s 18-year-old Dutchman might eventually break the great Michael Schumacher’s record tally of seven career titles. But Vitaly […]