May 19 (GMM) The big rumour swirling in F1 circles at present is whether Nico Rosberg is really contemplating a switch from Mercedes for 2017. Italy’s Corriere della Sera claims talks between the championship leader and Ferrari are underway. When asked about that as he departed the Barcelona test, Rosberg said: “I feel very good […]
Verstappen enjoyed post-win partying
May 19 (GMM) F1’s newest and youngest-ever winner appears to have enjoyed his post-race celebrations after the Spanish grand prix. Just 18, some wondered if the Dutchman was even old enough to drink the champagne he sprayed on the podium. “Yes. It tastes very nice,” he confirmed. Asked if he saw his normally-hard father Jos […]
Button, Hamilton say no to Indycar
May 19 (GMM) Two fellow champions have no intention of following Fernando Alonso into Indycar once their F1 careers end. Two-time world champion Alonso told the Spanish press last month: “There are three competitions at the top of the legend of motor sport: Monaco, Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500. “I know it’s difficult to […]
Pirelli to monitor pressures in-race from Monaco
May 19 (GMM) F1 is fast-tracking a system whereby Pirelli and the governing FIA can monitor cars’ tyre pressures live during a race. Last week, we reported rumours some teams may have found a loophole around Pirelli’s controversial minimum tyre pressure rules, with trick wheel rims designed to let out pressure whilst the car is […]
Hamilton crash showed ‘new Rosberg’ – pundits
May 18 (GMM) The sensational clash of Mercedes’ teammates and championship foes in Barcelona made clear a “new Nico” Rosberg will no longer be pushed around. That is the view of three former F1 drivers, commentating on the controversial crash between the German championship leader and Lewis Hamilton. Niki Lauda is steadfast in his view […]
Verstappen a future champion – Prost
May 18 (GMM) The sky is the limit for Max Verstappen, according to F1 legend Alain Prost. Just days after his shock switch from Toro Rosso, the 18-year-old made history in Barcelona as he won his first grand prix for Red Bull. “It’s a breath of fresh air for F1,” quadruple world champion Prost, an […]
Wehrlein replaces Ocon in Mercedes test
May 18 (GMM) Manor driver Pascal Wehrlein got back to work at the Barcelona test on Wednesday. But the German was no longer driving a Manor! Still with his Manor-branded helmet, the young German rolled out of Mercedes’ garage at the wheel of the championship-leading silver car. Actually, it was scheduled that Esteban Ocon, another […]
Arrivabene plays down driver change rumours
May 18 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene said it is premature for Ferrari to be embroiled in the 2017 driver ‘silly season’. Italy’s Corriere della Sera this week has suggested talks between the famous Maranello team and Mercedes’ championship leader Nico Rosberg have begun. “Bottas, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, there are so many good drivers in formula one,” team […]
Proud Jos stayed in Spain after Verstappen win
May 18 (GMM) Jos Verstappen is still in Barcelona, even though his original plan was to fly out of the sprawling city immediately after the Spanish grand prix. But that was before his 18-year-old son made F1 history on Sunday. “This is so special, so I want to be with Max,” the Dutchman and former […]
Ricciardo happy with Renault engine step
May 18 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo is upbeat about the future after testing Renault’s highly-anticipated engine upgrade in Barcelona. The Australian admitted to being “bitter” last Sunday, when his brand new teammate Max Verstappen sensationally ended Red Bull’s winning drought at his first attempt. “It’s frustrating — I think we just threw the win away,” Ricciardo […]
Gasly hopes for Toro Rosso seat in 2017
May 18 (GMM) Pierre Gasly says the success of the Max Verstappen story is a boost to all up-and-coming young drivers. However, not everyone agrees with that. “Max is a bad example for the next group of young drivers,” smiled Mika Salo, a former F1 driver who now works on developing young drivers from Russia. […]
Jorda not ruling out 2016 F1 test drive
May 18 (GMM) Carmen Jorda is not ruling out the possibility she might make her F1 test debut later in 2016. Although ridiculed at times for her development driver role at Lotus last year, the 27-year-old former GP3 driver was retained in a similar position as the team transitioned to Renault for 2016. Not only […]
Honda wants to ‘challenge Mercedes in 2017’
May 18 (GMM) Honda’s Yusuke Hasegawa is looking ahead with confidence to the grand prix in Monaco next weekend. Fernando Alonso called his Q3 breakthrough in Barcelona a “milestone”, but Hasegawa said the McLaren-Honda package should be even better on the streets of the fabled Principality. “In Monaco, engine performance is not as important,” he […]
Ecclestone backs Melbourne’s secret F1 fee
May 18 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has joined the local state government in Australia in refusing to divulge the cost of the annual formula one race. The race fee paid by Melbourne organisers to the Ecclestone-led Formula One Management is picked up entirely by taxpayers, but Victorian sports minister John Eren argues the actual amount must […]
Rosberg denies finger trouble in Hamilton crash
May 18 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he was not to blame for a technical issue that contributed to the crash with Lewis Hamilton last Sunday. After Mercedes team chairman pointed the clear finger of blame at Hamilton, boss Toto Wolff explained that it was German Rosberg who was in “the wrong engine setting”. “That was […]
Heineken upset over sponsor deal leak – Ecclestone
May 18 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has all but confirmed reports the Dutch beer brewer Heineken is entering formula one with a major sponsorship deal. De Telegraaf, a Dutch newspaper, claimed last week the first signs of the five-year, EUR 200m deal will be trackside advertising in Canada next month. “Heineken will probably also enter into […]
Rosberg begins 2017 talks with Ferrari – report
May 17 (GMM) Championship leader Nico Rosberg is fast becoming a key to the 2017 ‘silly season’. In Barcelona, Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche announced that the on-form German is in fact “under contract” for next year. But that might not quite be true, as Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff declared on Monday that Fernando Alonso […]
Hamilton slams ‘sabbatical’ rumours
May 15 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has rubbished speculation he might be considering a year out of formula one in 2017. The reigning triple world champion has had a bad start to this season, but an end to his recent reliability troubles meant he could charge to pole in Barcelona. “Our new MGU-H has already done […]
Sainz denies he ‘redeemed’ himself in Spain
May 15 (GMM) Carlos Sainz rejected suggestions he redeemed himself in Barcelona by performing so strongly for Toro Rosso. The Spaniard qualified a strong eighth at his home circuit on Saturday, five places ahead of his new teammate Daniil Kvyat, who returns from the top squad to Red Bull’s junior team. All the attention, however, […]
Mission accomplished for Max’s father Jos
May 15 (GMM) Jos Verstappen is taking a step back from the limelight in the career of his son and F1 teen sensation Max. 44-year-old Jos, known throughout his own F1 racing career as ‘The Boss’, was an ever-present figure in the garage until this weekend in Barcelona. What has changed is that Max has […]