May 24 (GMM) Rio Haryanto has admitted for the first time that he might not make it through the 2016 season. Although backed by the Indonesian government and highly popular in his native country, it is understood the rookie is only paid up at Manor until mid-season. But his manager Piers Hunnisett told us in […]
Father still involved in Verstappen’s career
May 24 (GMM) Jos Verstappen has admitted that while he has taken a step back, he is still closely involved in his son’s meteoric F1 career. It has been suggested that while Toro Rosso was happy for the former Benetton driver to be closely involved, Red Bull has asked Jos to take a step back […]
Massa not sure Red Bull better than Mercedes
May 24 (GMM) Felipe Massa is in a realistic mood about Williams’ chances ahead of this weekend’s race in Monaco. The British team was third overall in 2014 and 2015 but has clearly fallen behind both Red Bull and Ferrari this year. “I think we will be behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull,” Massa told […]
McLaren chassis better than Ferrari – Boullier
May 24 (GMM) McLaren-Honda appears to be finally emerging from its long slump, with bosses Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier sounding particularly upbeat ahead of Monaco. Dennis, the Woking team’s supremo, told the BBC: “I honestly believe that the next world champions after Mercedes will be McLaren. We’ll get to that goal before other people.” […]
Shift to 2017 focus ‘delicate’ – Vasseur
May 24 (GMM) A decision is looming about how Renault will handle the transition from 2016 to 2017, team boss Frederic Vasseur has admitted. It is widely believed that, with the French marque having taken over Lotus at the eleventh hour, Renault regarded 2016 as little more than a transitional season as it focused much […]
Heineken deal to be announced soon
May 24 (GMM) F1 looks set to lift the lid on its major new sponsorship deal with Heineken ahead of next month’s Canadian grand prix. Last week, following a leak in the press, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone all but confirmed reports the Dutch beer brewer is entering the sport not only with a trackside advertising […]
FIA working on F1 engine ‘sound generator’
May 24 (GMM) F1’s governing body is backing development of a “sound generator” to spice up the muted tones of the current generation of power units. After the turbo V6s fitted with energy recovery systems replaced the screaming V8s of old, the sport reacted for 2016 by mandating extra tailpipes for the wastegate. Bernie Ecclestone […]
Mercedes scoffs at Hamilton rumour
May 24 (GMM) Mercedes has rubbished reports Lewis Hamilton might miss this weekend’s prestigious Monaco grand prix. An Italian newspaper had suggested that Pascal Wehrlein may only have tested in Barcelona last week due to world champion Hamilton’s involvement in a mysterious nightclub incident in Cannes that could now see him sidelined. But Hamilton has […]
Lauda plays down Rosberg-Ferrari rumours
May 23 (GMM) Niki Lauda has played down rumours Nico Rosberg might be contemplating a switch to Ferrari for 2017. After the Spanish grand prix, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera claimed Rosberg was “flirting with Ferrari” as his current Mercedes contract expires. “As long as he is not flirting with me,” Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, […]
Le Mans rules out French GP revival
May 23 (GMM) Le Mans has ruled itself out of the running to revive the French grand prix. Pierre Fillon is the president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the organiser of the fabled 24 hour endurance race at the Le Mans circuit. He told Le Maine Libre newspaper that FIA president Jean Todt […]
Honda to use all tokens by Spa – report
May 23 (GMM) Honda is planning to hand in all of its engine performance ‘tokens’ by Spa-Francorchamps in August. That is the claim of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, citing the information of an unnamed engineer. “By then we will be able to feed in more electrical power,” the engineer is quoted as saying. The […]
Newspaper says Hamilton could miss Monaco
May 23 (GMM) The next wild rumour is now firing in formula one, ahead of the championship’s ‘jewel in the crown’ event in Monaco this weekend. Corriere dello Sport, an Italian newspaper, reports that a mysterious incident involving Lewis Hamilton’s attendance at red carpet events in Cannes last week could mean the world champion sits […]
Verstappen says he must stay grounded
May 23 (GMM) Max Verstappen is sure becoming F1’s youngest ever winner will not go to his head. Hot on the heels of entering the category as the world’s first 17-year-old grand prix driver last year, the Dutch sensation broke through for victory in Barcelona — mere days after being promoted to Red Bull’s top […]
Motor racing needs more minimum age rules – Wolff
May 23 (GMM) Toto Wolff thinks the world of premier motor racing might need to revisit the issue of driver age, following an enormous crash at the weekend. Li Zhi (Peter) Cong is currently in hospital with broken vertebrae, but he was otherwise lucky to survive an incredible rear-end smash into a rival who spun […]
Montezemolo expected bigger Ferrari step
May 23 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo says he expected Ferrari to make a bigger step forward in 2016. Towards the end of 2014, Ferrari’s long-time president was stepped down and replaced by Sergio Marchionne, before the new regime got a lot of credit for the performance boost of 2015. But the 68-year-old Italian insists: “I […]
Mercedes dominance ‘part of F1’ – Todt
May 20 (GMM) Jean Todt has played down the need to stop Mercedes’ dominance of F1, arguing that it has always been a feature of the sport. While the FIA has agreed with future measures like engine performance ‘convergence’, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone appears determined to stop the German marque’s now two and a half […]
Renault doesn’t need ‘big name’ driver – Vasseur
May 20 (GMM) Renault is open-minded about the composition of the driver lineup for its new works team beyond 2016, according to boss Frederic Vasseur. Having inherited Jolyon Palmer’s contract from Lotus and then signing up Kevin Magnussen at the eleventh hour, speculation about the next Renault lineup has swirled in the F1 paddock so […]
Vettel expected stronger Williams in 2016
May 20 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel says he expected Williams to be putting up a tougher fight in 2016. The Grove based team finished third overall in the past two world championships — behind Ferrari last year, and Red Bull in 2014. But both of those teams are ahead of Williams so far in 2016, causing […]
Force India could halt 2016 car development – report
May 19 (GMM) Force India is reportedly considering halting its car development programme for 2016 in order to focus on preparing for next year’s new rules. The Silverstone based team’s founder and boss Vijay Mallya has been missing from the paddocks so far this year amid his financial and legal troubles in India. Force India […]
Ricciardo first in line for Renault upgrade – Lauda
May 19 (GMM) If Renault brings its new engine to Monaco, the French marque may only be able to supply one version apiece to the two French-powered teams. Although Renault has actually slated Canada as the debut race for the 35 horse power, 5-tenths-per-lap power unit upgrade, officials are considering fast-tracking the process to Monaco […]