Nov.15 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has given a cool reception to some of Liberty Media’s apparent plans for the future of F1. One rumoured change is that the sport will move into the realm of internet streaming, even though the commercial success of F1 was built on the F1 supremo’s insistence that exclusive TV rights be […]
Ecclestone hints at buying Interlagos
Nov.15 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has admitted the future of the long-running Brazilian grand prix at Interlagos remains “absolutely” uncertain. With the Sao Paulo race having only a provisional date on the 2017 calendar, the F1 supremo met with new Brazilian president Michel Temer last week. When asked why the Interlagos race is under a cloud, […]
Gutierrez plays down Steiner altercation
Nov.15 (GMM) Esteban Gutierrez has denied his relationship with Haas is breaking down. After the parties confirmed the Mexican is being replaced by Kevin Magnussen next year, Gutierrez was spotted in a heated garage exchange with boss Gunther Steiner during the Brazilian grand prix. Footage showed a furious Gutierrez being grabbed by the arm by […]
Ecclestone admits supporting Nasr for 2017
Nov.15 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has admitted he is not sure if F1 will have a Brazilian driver on the grid next year. It is reported that, to safeguard the important Brazilian television market, the F1 supremo has been actively campaigning for Sauber’s Nasr to find a 2017 seat. But with Felipe Massa retiring, it is […]
Wehrlein not denying Sauber rumours
Nov.15 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein has not denied that he is now in the running to switch to Sauber for 2017. With Felipe Nasr reportedly having sponsor trouble, it is reported the Mercedes-backed Wehrlein could be a contender to replace him at Sauber. German Wehrlein, 22, admitted that he was disappointed to be overlooked for the […]
Wolff fears tech trouble will decide title
Nov.15 (GMM) Nico Rosberg will still deserve the 2016 title even if Lewis Hamilton extends his winning streak to four races in Abu Dhabi. After a spate of technical troubles this year, Mercedes’ Hamilton is having to fight back while Rosberg nurses his points lead to the Abu Dhabi finale next weekend. “I am happy […]
Ron Dennis exit ‘a shame’ – Ecclestone
Nov.15 (GMM) F1 and McLaren this week look set to farewell Ron Dennis. Reports have circulated for some time that the Woking team’s ‘supremo’ has lost a power struggle with fellow shareholders and will be imminently ousted. Britain’s Daily Mail claims the 69-year-old will be told on Tuesday that he must accept a lesser role […]
Nasr boosts 2017 chances with million-dollar result
Nov.14 (GMM) Felipe Nasr gave his F1 career a definite boost on Sunday by scoring Sauber’s first points of 2016. Near the end of an almost catastrophic season for the Swiss team, Sauber now appears back on track with tenth place in the championship to add to its recent rescue by investors linked with Marcus […]
Federal gov’t backs Brazil GP future
Nov.14 (GMM) The federal government has vowed to help Brazil secure its place on the F1 calendar. Amid the country’s economic recession, and delayed upgrade works at the Interlagos track, the race in Sao Paulo has been granted only a provisional date on the 2017 schedule. On his way to the race venue, F1 supremo […]
Rain stoppages ‘not worthy of F1’ – Lauda
Nov.14 (GMM) The 2016 world champion will only be crowned after next weekend’s Abu Dhabi finale. Although teammate Nico Rosberg is the favourite, Lewis Hamilton has kept himself in the hunt with three consecutive wins in the US, Mexican and now a rain-soaked Brazilian grand prix. But a mere podium finish will guarantee German Rosberg […]
Grosjean backs Magnussen’s Renault exit
Nov.13 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has backed his incoming teammate Kevin Magnussen’s decision to leave the works Renault team in order to join Haas. A year ago, Frenchman Grosjean made the very same decision to leave Lotus, the Enstone based team that would shortly become known as Renault. In 2017, they will both race for Haas, […]
Eyes turn to the skies for Brazil title fight
Nov.13 (GMM) Eyes are turning to the skies as a decisive day in the 2016 world champion prepares to dawn in Brazil. If Nico Rosberg wins at Interlagos, he will be the world champion, but teammate Lewis Hamilton has continued his late run of good form this season with pole and could keep the fight […]
Raikkonen’s wife expecting second child
Nov.13 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen’s young family will add another member some time next year. Ilta Sanomat, a Finnish newspaper, reacted with surprise when the normally reticent Ferrari driver wished his wife Minttu a “happy birthday” from Brazil. Raikkonen, 2007, had just qualified third at Interlagos, towards the end of a season in which many believe […]
Wolff phone call saga ‘overblown’ – Verstappen
Nov.13 (GMM) Toto Wolff has played down the controversy about his phone call to Max Verstappen’s father. Red Bull chiefs Helmut Marko and Christian Horner lashed out as they revealed the Mercedes chief had phoned former F1 driver Jos Verstappen to urge his son against intervening in the title fight between Nico Rosberg and Lewis […]
Marko urges F1 to end penalty era
Nov.13 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has urged F1 to end the current era of driver penalties. It emerged in Brazil that, at the next Strategy Group meeting, Bernie Ecclestone and several teams will call on the FIA to dramatically simplify the rules. The latest move follows the Mexican grand prix, where a penalty against Sebastian […]
McLaren co-owners move to axe Ron Dennis
Nov.12 (GMM) Ron Dennis’ long journey in F1 could come to a halt as early as next week, according to widespread reports. The well-placed Sky News, as well as multiple British newspapers and sources, claim the McLaren supremo has even been at the London High Court to try to prevent his ousting from the company […]
Button eyes GT, rallycross for 2017
Nov.12 (GMM) Jenson Button has hinted at his plan to keep on racing during his F1 ‘sabbatical’ next year. Although some think the Briton is retiring, 36-year-old Button insists he might return in 2018. But what is clear is that the 2009 world champion will probably keep on racing next year. “I’m not sure what […]
Strategy Group to push for fewer penalties
Nov.12 (GMM) The controversy about driver penalties in F1 is still raging. That is despite the fact that, after Ferrari renewed its push for Sebastian Vettel’s Mexico GP penalty to be reinstated, the stewards dismissed the new evidence. Red Bull, whose Daniel Ricciardo inherited the podium after teammate Max Verstappen and Vettel were both penalised […]
Lauda, Wolff ensuring free fight for title
Nov.12 (GMM) Niki Lauda says Mercedes is giving Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton a free fight for the 2016 title. The German marque has struggled to control the pair at times over the past few seasons, but as they battle for this year’s crown in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, team chairman Lauda said Mercedes will […]
Kaltenborn admits Nasr place not certain
Nov.12 (GMM) Monisha Kaltenborn has admitted it is not certain that Felipe Nasr will stay at Sauber beyond 2016. Earlier, we reported that the Swiss team was likely to keep the Brazilian alongside Marcus Ericsson next year, but team boss Kaltenborn admits there have been tensions. “Yes, we lived through times of stress,” she told […]