Jul.20 (GMM) The late Jules Bianchi was destined for a future race seat at Ferrari. That is the claim of the Maranello team’s former boss Stefano Domenicali, as the F1 world mourns the talented 25-year-old Frenchman’s tragic death. Bianchi, who was 25 when his Marussia struck a recovery vehicle in Japan last year, died in […]
Hulkenberg still eyeing Raikkonen’s seat
Jul.20 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg may still be in the running to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari next year. Late last week, a report in Italy’s Corriere dello Sport fired up the ‘silly season’ as it appeared Valtteri Bottas had been snapped up by the Maranello team. But the authoritative La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Williams […]
‘Small mistakes’ led to Bianchi death
Jul.20 (GMM) F1 is pressing ahead with safety advances as the sport mourns the death of former Marussia driver Jules Bianchi. The 25-year-old Frenchman’s death, following a nine month coma in the wake of his crash during the Japanese grand prix last year, is the first for a race driver since Ayrton Senna in 1994. […]
Nurburgring admits 2017 F1 race uncertain
Jul.20 (GMM) Former German grand prix venue the Nurburgring has admitted the fate of the race in 2017 is uncertain. After the country fell off this year’s schedule, the German grand prix is definitely returning next year with a race at Hockenheim. But the 2015 absence was due only to the Nurburgring’s tumultuous financial and […]
Critics ‘unaware’ of F1 challenge – Kvyat
Jul.20 (GMM) Two F1 drivers have hit back at suggestions the world championship is no longer the pinnacle of motor sport. As the category’s stakeholders consider what changes to make to rekindle interest, Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat shakes his head at claims driving the modern cars is no longer a serious challenge. “The challenge […]
Michelin still in running for 2017 deal
Jul.20 (GMM) Michelin is still in the running to become F1’s new tyre supplier in 2017. Although some had questioned the French marque’s push to ensure the sport moves to a lower-profile wheel rim size, it is believed Michelin has satisfied the FIA that it is technically competent to be considered for the 2017-2019 contract. […]
Lotus ordered to pay 27 bills – report
Jul.20 (GMM) Lotus is behind in 27 bills adding up to almost $1 million, the Sunday Express reports. Earlier, it emerged that the Enstone team, now linked with a buyout by the French carmaker Renault, is facing a winding-up petition brought by a disgruntled transmission supplier called Xtrac. But F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said […]
Jules Bianchi dies aged 25
Jul.18 (GMM) F1 driver Jules Bianchi has died. Aged 25, the talented Frenchman has been unconscious since striking a recovery vehicle in fading light and wet conditions during last October’s Japanese grand prix. The former Marussia driver’s family confirmed his death in a statement, saying Bianchi “passed away last night” in hospital in his native […]
German GP uncertainty to return for 2017 race
Jul.17 (GMM) The uncertainty about the future of the German grand prix is not yet over. F1 is currently in a three-week lull between the British and Hungarian races, after the Nurburgring was scratched from the 2015 schedule. “This is very disappointing for everyone,” Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg told German media on a visit to Hamburg […]
Loss of Peraltada corner unavoidable – Tilke
Jul.17 (GMM) Renowned F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke says the loss of the fearsome Peraltada corner from the Mexico layout was unavoidable. The legendary, sweeping, high-speed end of the lap at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is legendary, but it has been left out as German Tilke heads the renovations ahead of Mexico’s return to the […]
2015 Russia GP set for financial collapse
Jul.17 (GMM) This year’s Russian grand prix is in danger of last-minute collapse, Russian media and Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper report. Sochi is scheduled to host its second consecutive race in October, but organisers are reportedly desperately hoping for a 64 million euro bailout by the government in Moscow amid a deep economic crisis. […]
Alesi confirms German speeding reports
Jul.17 (GMM) Jean Alesi has confirmed rumours he was caught speeding this week at 60kph above the legal limit on a road in Germany. Der Trierische Volksfreund, a German daily, reported that police had stopped a former F1 driver in excess of 140kph en route to the Nurburgring. The police did not disclose the identity […]
Nasr to replace Bottas at Williams – report
Jul.17 (GMM) The ‘silly season’ looks set to burst into life. Italy’s Corriere dello Sport on Friday reports that Williams has agreed a EUR 12 million buyout by Ferrari of Valtteri Bottas’ 2016 contract ‘option’. And the Rome-based daily said the man slotting into Bottas’ Williams seat next year will be the British team’s former […]
Bottas signs deal to replace Raikkonen – report
Jul.17 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has reached a deal with Ferrari to replace Finnish countryman Kimi Raikkonen from 2016. That is the claim of Italy’s Corriere dello Sport on Friday, adding that the Maranello team will therefore not exercise the 2016 ‘option’ on Raikkonen’s existing contract. That option does not expire until 31 July, and so […]
Spotlight on Allison as Ferrari falters in 2015
Jul.16 (GMM) As Ferrari’s 2015 resurgence arguably stalls, eyes are beginning to shift to the unextended contract held by technical boss James Allison. Leo Turrini, the well-connected Ferrari media insider, says the Briton’s current deal expires in mid-2016. The Maranello team, although apparently improved this year with Sergio Marchionne, Maurizio Arrivabene and Sebastian Vettel at […]
Kvyat ‘absolutely’ delivering for Red Bull
Jul.16 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat appears to have secured his place at Red Bull Racing for now. Earlier, the young Russian seemed to be under pressure from the energy drink stable’s latest F1 hotshoes Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz, as he struggled after stepping up from Toro Rosso. But at Silverstone recently, Kvyat secured the public […]
Bizarre Williams nose causes a stir
Jul.16 (GMM) F1 fans and insiders were scratching their heads this week when they spotted a radical Williams nose. The British team posted to Twitter a photo of a factory worker preparing sidepod bodywork for the forthcoming Hungarian grand prix. But – initially unspotted by many glancing viewers – in the upper corner of the […]
Briatore hits out over tax evasion sentence
Jul.16 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has hit out at the media coverage of his conviction for tax evasion. Once expelled from formula one amid the ‘crashgate’ cheating scandal, the flamboyant Italian has now been sentenced to 23 months of probation over a case surrounding his luxury yacht Force Blue. Briatore, 65, and fellow directors were found […]
Former F1 driver caught speeding in Germany
Jul.16 (GMM) A former F1 driver has this week been caught speeding in Germany. Der Trierische Volksfreund, a German daily, reported that police stopped the driver as he was in excess of 60kph above the allowed limit of 80kph. The newspaper said the ex-grand prix star paid a four-digit fine and continued his trip to […]
Hockenheim urges fans to secure German GP future
Jul.16 (GMM) Hockenheim’s chief has urged German fans to turn up in numbers next year as the country returns to the formula one calendar. F1 is currently in an unplanned three-week gap between Silverstone and Hungary, because the embattled Nurburgring could not come up with the money for the 2015 race. But Germany is back […]