Nov.26 (GMM) Opinions are divided in Abu Dhabi after Bernie Ecclestone and the teams agreed a novel rule-change for 2017. It emerges that, pending the approval of the World Motor Sport Council, cars will return to the grid for a standing start after every safety car period from next year. “Apparently this is for entertainment […]
Drivers key to 2018 introduction for Halo
Nov.26 (GMM) The drivers will be central to the FIA’s decision about whether to introduce the controversial ‘Halo’ cockpit protection concept in 2018 or impose a further delay. Although the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association has said Halo is unanimously supported up and down the grid, some drivers have revealed their concerns. So in another bid […]
Drivers discussed wet tyre criticism with Pirelli
Nov.26 (GMM) F1 drivers had talks with Pirelli in Abu Dhabi, following criticism of the Italian supplier’s wet weather tyres. Multiple drivers pointed the finger at Pirelli in the wake of the red flag and safety car-interrupted Brazilian grand prix. “We discussed a lot, sharing impressions of the tyres, the problem with visibility and aquaplaning, […]
All sides deny Wehrlein to Sauber reports
Nov.26 (GMM) All sides have denied reports that Pascal Wehrlein’s next move in F1 is now a done deal. Multiple authoritative sources had reported from Abu Dhabi that with Sauber losing the backing of Felipe Nasr’s sponsor Banco do Brasil, the Swiss team will definitely replace him with German Wehrlein. But Wehrlein, who currently drives […]
Grosjean backs Gutierrez axe
Nov.26 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has hinted he fully supports Haas’ decision to install a new teammate for 2017. Esteban Gutierrez is reportedly hoping to continue his career at Manor next year, having fallen out with Haas team boss Gunther Steiner. The pair were seen in a garage altercation recently, and Steiner said he needs to […]
Hamilton lost focus in 2016 – Leinders
Nov.26 (GMM) Former F1 tester Bas Leinders thinks Lewis Hamilton lost focus earlier in 2016. In Abu Dhabi, Hamilton has hinted that his likely title defeat to Nico Rosberg on Sunday would be due to an early-season engineer switch, and poorer reliability. But Leinders, a Minardi test driver in 2004, said Rosberg would “definitely” be […]
Rosberg must avoid Hamilton crash – Berger
Nov.26 (GMM) Nico Rosberg can’t risk a crash with his teammate Lewis Hamilton on Sunday, F1 legend Gerhard Berger says. Earlier this year, Berger advised the Mercedes driver during his negotiations for a new Mercedes contract, and now he is advising the German to stay clear of Hamilton in Abu Dhabi. That is despite the […]
Hamilton engaged in mind ‘tricks’ – Wolff
Nov.26 (GMM) Mercedes chiefs say Lewis Hamilton is up to psychological “tricks” as his title battle with Nico Rosberg reaches its finale in Abu Dhabi. Needing a win and Rosberg to finish lower than third to win the title on Sunday, Hamilton began the weekend by referring again to how the team shook up his […]
Owner admits Manor investor deal ‘agreed’
Nov.26 (GMM) F1 backmarker Manor is in the process of being sold, current owner Stephen Fitzpatrick admitted in Abu Dhabi. Reports have been circulating that, faced with losing millions in official prize money after the defeat to Sauber in Brazil, the talks with a buyer accelerated in the past days. But Fitzpatrick, who rescued Manor […]
Hockenheim confirms no grand prix in 2017
Nov.25 (GMM) Hockenheim boss Georg Seiler has confirmed reports the German grand prix will drop off the 2017 calendar. Reports said that because a race deal could not be struck for 2017, Hockenheim will go and next year’s calendar will shrink to 20 grands prix. Seiler confirmed: “We have noted that a formula one event […]
2017 to be ‘transition year’ for tyres – Hembery
Nov.25 (GMM) Pirelli says it regards 2017 as a transition year as the sport adapts to the radically different technical regulations. In Abu Dhabi, F1’s official supplier unveiled the bigger and wider slicks that will be fitted to next year’s much faster cars. “This was not an easy project because we had to start with […]
Perez not open to sponsor reconciliation
Nov.25 (GMM) Sergio Perez says his decision to dump a sponsor is final. Just after Donald Trump’s shock US election win, the Mexican driver failed to see the funny side of a joke made on Twitter by sunglasses sponsor Hawkers about the proposed US-Mexican border wall. After Perez dumped the brand, Hawkers apologised and announced […]
Sainz unfazed by low media profile
Nov.25 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says his low profile in the international media does not bother him. Since debuting last year, the Spaniard has gained the respect of the F1 paddock but it is Max Verstappen who got the call up to Red Bull’s senior team as well as the high-profile comparisons to greats like Ayrton […]
Wehrlein hints at 2017 deal
Nov.25 (GMM) An agreement is now in place between Mercedes and Sauber that will see Pascal Wehrlein drive for the Swiss team in 2017. That is the very latest paddock rumour from Abu Dhabi, coinciding with reports out of Brazil that current Sauber driver Felipe Nasr has lost his key Banco do Brasil sponsorship. When […]
Nasr loses Banco do Brasil backing
Nov.25 (GMM) Felipe Nasr’s chances of staying in F1 next year have nose-dived. Amid the economic situation in Brazil, the Sauber driver’s sponsor, Banco do Brasil, has announced its withdrawal from the sport. “Banco do Brasil recognises Felipe Nasr’s talent and is proud to be the sponsor responsible for his entry into formula one,” it […]
Dennis exit ‘healthy’ for McLaren – Magnussen
Nov.25 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen thinks Ron Dennis’ departure is actually “healthy” for McLaren. The Danish driver was a protege of the Woking team’s supremo and made his F1 debut for McLaren in 2014. But Magnussen was then ousted, famously learning of the decision by email on his birthday. “Ron was my boss when I drove […]
Renault recommended Magnussen to Haas
Nov.25 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen is heading to Haas with the recommendation of many in the F1 paddock, including those at his current team Renault. That is the claim of Haas team boss Gunther Steiner, explaining the decision to pick the Dane to replace Esteban Gutierrez for 2017. “Everyone knows that we spoke with Kevin already […]
Hamilton handshake snub not deliberate – Rosberg
Nov.25 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he and Lewis Hamilton did not deliberately refuse to shake hands as they head into their 2016 title showdown in Abu Dhabi. Before the FIA press conference, moderator James Allen asked the Mercedes pair to stand for the photographers and shake hands, but they did not do the latter. But […]
Button says Abu Dhabi ‘my last race’
Nov.25 (GMM) Jenson Button has admitted Sunday’s Abu Dhabi grand prix will probably be his last in formula one. When the F1 veteran announced that he won’t be racing in 2017, he insisted: “To be clear, I’m very definitely not retiring.” But now that the 2016 finale has come around, he admitted to reporters: “I […]
20 races for 2017 as Germany scrapped
Nov.24 (GMM) F1’s race calendar for 2017 is set to shrink from 21 to 20 grands prix. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the German grand prix at Hockenheim will be scratched, with teams informed of the change ahead of Abu Dhabi. “We cannot subsidise the race in Germany if we do not do the […]