Nov.2 (GMM) Force India has hit back at suggestions the team has already decided the identity of Sergio Perez’s teammate for 2017. With Nico Hulkenberg heading to Renault, reports early this week suggested the Silverstone based team has now inked a deal with Esteban Ocon. Frenchman Ocon, 20, is obviously a contender thanks to his […]
F1 figures say Vettel could quit
Nov.2 (GMM) Experienced paddock dwellers are contemplating the notion that Sebastian Vettel might soon call time on his F1 career. The German won four titles for Red Bull before switching to Ferrari last year, but those who have worked closest with Vettel, who is now 29, sense a change. “Some things we have seen before […]
Verstappen defended by former F1 driver Lammers
Nov.2 (GMM) Former F1 driver Jan Lammers has leapt to the defence of Max Verstappen, following the latest bout of criticism aimed at the young Dutchman. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel called the 19-year-old a “c—” in Mexico and was also blasted by Mercedes bosses for a clash with championship leader Nico Rosberg. Lammers, 60, acknowledged that […]
Sepang chiefs to hold F1 talks in Abu Dhabi
Nov.2 (GMM) The future of the Malaysian grand prix could take shape during a key meeting later this month. It has emerged that officials of the race near Kuala Lumpur, whilst extending their separate deal with MotoGP until 2021, are considering axing the 17-year-old F1 race at Sepang. However, a valid contract with Bernie Ecclestone’s […]
Vettel off the hook after ‘profuse’ apologies
Nov.2 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is off the hook after making a series of apologies to Charlie Whiting and the FIA. F1’s governing body had been looking into the tirade of expletives blasted by the Ferrari driver during the Mexican grand prix, including telling race director Whiting to “f— off”. “He did say sorry,” Whiting told […]
Verstappen will not spoil title battle – manager
Nov.1 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s manager has denied the controversial young Dutchman will interfere with the outcome of the world championship. The 19-year-old incurred the wrath not only of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, but also Mercedes chiefs Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda, after clashing wheels with Nico Rosberg in Mexico. Lauda called it “unacceptable”. “His head has […]
Ocon signs Force India deal – report
Nov.1 (GMM) Esteban Ocon has signed a deal to switch from Manor to Force India for 2017. That is the claim of a Spanish publication Formula Rapida, amid a multitude of similar reports in the wake of the weekend’s Mexican grand prix. Force India is looking for a replacement for the Renault-bound Nico Hulkenberg, and […]
Brawn signs deal to replace Ecclestone – report
Nov.1 (GMM) Ross Brawn has already signed a contract to become F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s successor. That is the claim this week of Auto Bild Motorsport, in the wake of reports confirming that the former Ferrari and Mercedes chief is interested in returning to the sport. “For sure, trying to help F1 become a better […]
Vettel ‘excused himself’ to Whiting – Arrivabene
Nov.1 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel apologised to Charlie Whiting after twice telling the high-ranking F1 official to “f— off” during Sunday’s Mexican GP. The quadruple world champion even called Max Versappen a “c—” on the radio and lost his podium finish for breaking the new ‘Verstappen rule’ in his dice with Daniel Ricciardo. It has led […]
Renault admits it wanted Sainz for 2017
Nov.1 (GMM) Renault has admitted for the first time that it tried and failed to secure Carlos Sainz for 2017 and beyond. It is an open paddock secret that the French works team made a move for the Spaniard, apparently even offering to ease the price of its engine deals with Red Bull if the […]
2016 like ’10 seasons in 1′ – Kvyat
Oct.31 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat admits he feels “stronger” towards the end of what he says is the most challenging season of his career. The Russian began the year at Red Bull and was on the podium in China, but the team shunted him to their junior outfit Toro Rosso in order to promote Max Verstappen. […]
Alonso looks ahead to post-season ‘holiday’
Oct.31 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has suggested he will not be unhappy once the chequered flag waves in Abu Dhabi. McLaren has had a much better season this year than 2015, when the new works partnership with Honda began. But Spaniard Alonso still sounds frustrated. During the Mexican grand prix, he hit back at an engineer […]
German GP not secure for 2017 – Ecclestone
Oct.31 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says there is still no guarantee there will be a German grand prix in 2017. After Germany’s return to the calendar this year at Hockenheim, the circuit has been allocated a mere provisional date for the 2017 schedule. That is because next year is actually the Nurburgring’s turn to host the […]
Haas admits 2017 talks with Magnussen
Oct.31 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has admitted Haas has been in touch with Kevin Magnussen about 2017. With Dane Magnussen’s future at Renault uncertain, reports emerged in Mexico at the weekend that the American team Haas has made him an offer. But team boss Steiner denied that. “I was surprised by the story,” he told the […]
Mexican drama explodes behind Hamilton win
Oct.31 (GMM) The drama was behind Lewis Hamilton as the Briton kept his world championship hopes just alive in Mexico. Teammate Nico Rosberg, however, duly finished second, meaning that a win Brazil next time out will guarantee the title for Mercedes’ German driver. “Nico is doing a great job to pull in the positions that […]
F1 drivers no longer drug-tested – Button
Oct.30 (GMM) Jenson Button thinks the world anti-doping agency (Wada) is dropping the ball when it comes to F1. The F1 veteran said he and his rivals must comply with strict protocols, but revealed that no driver he knows has been tested recently. The Sun quoted Button as saying his latest urine sample was taken […]
Hulkenberg admits Renault deal boosting form
Oct.30 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has admitted that securing his future for 2017 and beyond may be translating into a performance boost. While Sergio Perez is the home town hero, it’s German Hulkenberg who is the on-form Force India driver in Mexico as he qualified ahead of the Ferraris. He was also strong in Austin, after […]
Wurz says Rosberg ‘clearly’ on the defense
Oct.30 (GMM) Notwithstanding Nico Rosberg’s media strategy, Alex Wurz thinks the German is now playing a defensive game for the championship. At the decisive phase of the season and 26 points ahead of Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, Rosberg has effectively closed himself off to the press, insisting only that he is focused on winning every […]
Wolff has no problem with Ecclestone, Brawn
Oct.30 (GMM) Toto Wolff insists he can still work two of the most important F1 personalities of today and tomorrow. The first is F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who has not been shy in the last year to heavily criticise both Mercedes and its Austrian chief. For instance, Ecclestone’s latest accusation is that, unlike great bosses […]
Promoter, mayor say Interlagos on track for 2017
Oct.30 (GMM) Race organisers insist the Brazilian grand prix remains on track for the future. Earlier, F1 authorities cast a shadow over the race by giving the Interlagos round mere provisional status on the 2017 calendar. But Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad on Saturday inaugurated the latest building works at the track, while promoter Tamas […]