Oct.20 (GMM) Renault has been tipped to take a “giant leap” ahead in 2017. Marc Surer, a former F1 driver and pundit for the German broadcaster Sky, hailed Nico Hulkenberg’s decision to accept an offer to join the French works team. “As the opportunities with the other teams diminished, it was the best thing he […]
Brawn quit F1 over lack of ‘trust’ at Mercedes
Oct.20 (GMM) Ross Brawn says he left F1 at the end of 2013 because he “couldn’t trust” Mercedes’ management team. The highly respected Briton was team boss until the end of 2013, and he now says he decided to quit rather than try to work with current chiefs Toto Wolff, Niki Lauda and Paddy Lowe. […]
Dennis’ long McLaren reign to end – reports
Oct.19 (GMM) British newspapers on Wednesday are reporting that Ron Dennis’ long reign at McLaren may be coming to an end. The Times said the Woking team’s long-time supremo is “fighting to hold onto his job” amid a battle between himself and fellow co-owners Mansour Ojjeh and the Bahrain sovereign wealth fund. “Ojjeh has aligned […]
F1 door opens wider for Berger’s nephew
Oct.19 (GMM) The door to F1 may have just swung open a little wider for Lucas Auer. Last month, Toto Wolff said “the door is open” to the young Austrian, who is the 22-year-old nephew of former F1 driver and legend Gerhard Berger. Auer currently drives for Mercedes in the German touring car series DTM. […]
Hamilton cannot be written off – Wehrlein
Oct.19 (GMM) Mercedes has confirmed reports Lewis Hamilton will be summoned to appear yet again in the FIA’s official press conference. The world champion caused a stir at Suzuka by playing with ‘Snapchat’ throughout the Thursday event, and he then refused to take questions from the written media in a Mercedes-organised press conference on Saturday. […]
Verstappen aggression nothing new – Ocon
Oct.19 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says Max Verstappen’s controversially aggressive driving style in formula one is nothing new. Just two years ago, the pair were fighting wheel-to-wheel in the premier European F3 championship — and Frenchman Ocon emerged the victor. But it is the younger of the pair, 19-year-old Verstappen, who has risen the most meteorically […]
Magnussen’s Indycar comments ‘strategic’ – official
Oct.19 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has dismissed reports linking him with a potential move to Indycar for 2017. With Renault having already confirmed Nico Hulkenberg for next year, whilst admitting that Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas are also targets, it is also relevant that an extended ‘option’ on Magnussen’s 2017 services ran out last week. Then, […]
F1 set for five second boost in 2017 – Wehrlein
Oct.18 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein thinks predictions of a five second per lap boost for F1 next year could be right. The German is among only a handful of drivers who have been taking part in Pirelli’s testing of the bigger and wider slicks next year. Wehrlein’s latest running took place in less than ideal weather […]
FIA to put Hamilton back in spotlight – report
Oct.18 (GMM) The FIA is tipped to put Lewis Hamilton back in the spotlight ahead of this weekend’s US grand prix. At Suzuka recently, the reigning world champion triggered a controversy and then lashed out at his treatment by the media, after ‘Snapchatting’ his way through the official FIA press conference on the Thursday. The […]
Jordan King eyes Manor seat for 2017
Oct.18 (GMM) Jordan King looks set to be another rookie on the 2017 grid. The 22-year-old Briton, currently fifth in the GP2 championship, will drive the Manor car in Friday practice this weekend in Austin. He is the son of wealthy businessman Justin King, the former boss of British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s and now Manor […]
Father admits Stroll to make 2017 debut
Oct.18 (GMM) Lance Stroll’s father has confirmed growing reports the Canadian driver will definitely be on the F1 grid in 2017. Reports have suggested Williams is only delaying the announcement because it is waiting for Stroll to turn 18 later this month, in deference to the team’s alcohol sponsor Martini. Lance’s father is Lawrence Stroll, […]
Wolff admits contract talks taking place
Oct.17 (GMM) Toto Wolff has backed Niki Lauda’s claim that the Mercedes bosses are set to stay at the team beyond 2017. F1 legend, team chairman and co-owner Lauda revealed last week that talks are taking place that should see both himself and Wolff retained until 2020. “My salary for the work I do is […]
Stroll set, Bottas less certain for Williams
Oct.17 (GMM) Lance Stroll will definitely be at Williams in 2017, according to multiple authoritative media sources. One of them is the Finnish broadcaster MTV, adding that the British team’s current driver Valtteri Bottas will almost certainly be his teammate. But some other outlets are less sure, including Finland’s Ilta Sanomat, amid rumours Bottas is […]
Hamilton won’t give up – Fittipaldi
Oct.17 (GMM) Emerson Fittipaldi has backed Lewis Hamilton to keep fighting in 2017. Some believe the reigning world champion is now in ‘meltdown’ as his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg races towards the 2016 title. “I do not understand what is happening (with Hamilton),” F1 legend and former world champion Fittipaldi told the Italian newspaper Corriere […]
Lauda, Fittipaldi defend Verstappen driving
Oct.17 (GMM) Niki Lauda has backed Max Verstappen’s driving during the recent Japanese grand prix. Initially, Mercedes lodged a protest against the Dutchman’s defensive move in his duel with Lewis Hamilton, in which Verstappen changed direction under braking. The team referred to a generic rule forbidding dangerous driving, but Mercedes ultimately dropped the protest. “This […]
Gasly still hoping for F1 future
Oct.17 (GMM) Pierre Gasly insists he remains in the running to enter formula one in 2017. Earlier, it was said that Daniil Kvyat’s chances of keeping his Toro Rosso seat had risen, because 20-year-old Gasly has had an up-and-down season in GP2 and may not win the title. But the Red Bull-backed Frenchman insisted: “It […]
Wehrlein admits to Force India talks
Oct.17 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein has admitted he is in the frame to replace the Renault-bound Nico Hulkenberg for 2017. With his strong Mercedes backing, Wehrlein made his F1 debut this year with Manor, but the Hulkenberg vacancy could now see him move up the grid with another Mercedes-powered team. Asked if Hulkenberg’s seat will be […]
Sauber ‘attractive team’ for 2017 – Nasr
Oct.17 (GMM) Felipe Nasr has hinted that he will stay with Sauber in 2017. Earlier, the Brazilian struggled with the car prepared by the Swiss team, and amid Sauber’s fight for survival he hinted he would take his major Banco do Brasil backing elsewhere. But Sauber has subsequently been financial rescued, and 24-year-old Nasr now […]
Boss confirms no F1 return for BMW
Oct.17 (GMM) BMW has confirmed reports that F1 is definitely out of the short-term picture for the German carmaker. We reported recently that, with BMW having ended its partnership with Sauber after 2009, the marque is now happy with its future in DTM, Le Mans and Formula E. Motor sport boss Jens Marquardt confirmed to […]
Renault could name Hulkenberg teammate in ‘days’ – Vasseur
Oct.17 (GMM) The identity of Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate at Renault next year could be revealed within days. That is the claim of Frederic Vasseur, after Renault announced that current Force India driver Hulkenberg will drive for the French works team in 2017 and beyond. “We believe Nico is among the best of the new generation […]