Mar.24 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone on Thursday joined forces with F1 drivers who are complaining about the governance of the sport. Sections of the media had interpreted the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association’s rare letter this week as a scathing attack on authorities including the F1 supremo. But in a typed reply to the drivers on Thursday, […]
Monza not giving up on Italy GP yet
Mar.24 (GMM) All hope that Monza will keep hosting the Italian grand prix beyond 2016 is not lost yet. That is the claim of the fabled Autodromo Nazionale’s operating company Sias, hot on the heels of reports that negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone have broken down terminally. “Autodromo Nazionale Monza has not received any official communication […]
Rosberg first in queue for 2017 talks – Wolff
Mar.24 (GMM) Nico Rosberg is first in the queue to race with Mercedes in 2017. That is the claim of team boss Toto Wolff, with media reports in Germany declaring that 30-year-old Australian grand prix winner Rosberg’s current deal is definitely expiring late this year. “Nico is part of the Mercedes family,” Austrian Wolff told […]
Schumacher was right about Vettel – Clear
Mar.24 (GMM) Michael Schumacher was “absolutely right” to have urged Ferrari to sign up Sebastian Vettel for the future. Well-known F1 engineer Jock Clear has returned from a year of ‘gardening leave’ to take up a leading position at Ferrari, where Vettel is now regarded as the Maranello’s great hope of reviving the Schumacher-esque glory […]
As Britain switches, Wurz worried about F1’s pay-TV future
Mar.24 (GMM) F1 needs to adapt to the changing shape of the world and media. That is the view of Alex Wurz, who on the same day as the release of the GPDA’s controversial open letter on the state of the sport also spoke to the Austrian newspaper Kurier. Also late on Wednesday, Bernie Ecclestone […]
Williams-Honda rumours played down
Mar.24 (GMM) Rumours Williams could be set to switch to customer Honda power for 2017 have been denied. After a woeful 2015, Honda has made a step forward with its exclusive works partner McLaren this year, new director Yusuke Hasegawa says. “We had reliability and both drivers were happy with the car,” he is quoted […]
Hamilton returns fire after Charlie Whiting criticism
Mar.24 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has hit back at Charlie Whiting for singling him out over the course of the Australian grand prix weekend. Following the world champion’s claim that drivers are not consulted on rule changes, F1 race director Whiting revealed that a key meeting was actually held at the Barcelona tests “but he (Hamilton) […]
Renault not giving up on 2016 – Vasseur
Mar.24 (GMM) Renault has not given up on the 2016 season, team boss Frederic Vasseur insists. After the eleventh-hour takeover of Lotus, it had been reported that the French carmaker will quickly turn its attention to making a new car for 2017. But engine customer Red Bull is talking up a Renault engine upgrade that […]
Verstappen says no feud with Sainz
Mar.24 (GMM) Max Verstappen has played down claims his rivalry with teammate Carlos Sainz has turned into a feud. The Dutchman was furious at the Australian grand prix, launching foul-mouthed tirades on the radio after getting stuck behind the sister Toro Rosso. In an interview with Laureus, Verstappen admitted he was frustrated. “Qualifying was absolutely […]
Bahrain qualifying could be ‘musical chairs’ hybrid
Mar.24 (GMM) F1 is heading into its second consecutive grand prix of 2016 amid looming uncertainty about the qualifying format. In Melbourne, the to-ing and fro-ing about the new ‘musical chairs’ format culminated in the farcical session on Saturday, and a rapid decision by the team bosses to tear it up ahead of Bahrain. “Thank […]
Ecclestone confirms ‘musical chairs’ may survive
Mar.24 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed reports the controversial ‘musical chairs’ qualifying format could actually have survived the 2016 season opener. After the farcical debut session in Melbourne last Saturday, team bosses got together before Sunday’s race and voted unanimously to scrap it ahead of Bahrain. “I was also confused as it was the first […]
F1 drivers say governance threatens sport’s future
Mar.24 (GMM) F1 drivers have caused a stir by criticising the governance of the sport. An open letter published by the normally safety-oriented Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) was described by some media on Wednesday as being an “extraordinary revolt” and an “astonishing act of public rebellion”. Headed by Alex Wurz and current F1 racers […]
Red Bull ‘halo’ alternative keeps F1 DNA – Marko
Mar.23 (GMM) Red Bull’s alternative to the ‘halo’ cockpit protection concept would be better for crashes like those suffered by Fernando Alonso in Melbourne. That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, even though the newly-unveiled alternative championed by Red Bull has already been ruled out by the FIA. But that was before Alonso’s McLaren-Honda […]
F1 still ‘miles’ from loud enough engines
Mar.23 (GMM) F1 is still “miles away” from sounding like the pinnacle of motor sport. That is the claim of two insiders, notwithstanding efforts over the winter to turn up the meagre volume of the controversial ‘power unit’ era. Following criticisms in 2014 and 2015, changes to the technical regulations for 2016 mandated extra exhaust […]
Hamilton could retire with fourth title – Stewart
Mar.23 (GMM) One more title could be enough to satisfy Lewis Hamilton’s ambition. That is the view of Sir Jackie Stewart, who like Hamilton is a triple world champion. Briton Hamilton has always said his goal was to match the championship tally of another triple title winner, Ayrton Senna, but the 31-year-old has just commenced […]
Tyre rules have spiced up F1 – Hembery
Mar.23 (GMM) Pirelli is sure the new tyre selection rules have succeeded in spicing up F1. Although the rules are complex, teams and drivers are essentially now allowed to choose three compounds of tyres for each grand prix. Towards the chequered flag in Melbourne, for instance, it resulted in a fascinating battle between the Mercedes […]
Verstappen defended after Melbourne ‘anger’
Mar.23 (GMM) Max Verstappen has found some allies in the wake of his anger and outbursts at the Australian grand prix. The teen Dutchman was widely criticised after fuming on the radio that a bungled pitstop and being stuck behind Toro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz was “a f—–g joke”. But his father, aptly known during […]
Alonso, Raikkonen’s engines survived Melbourne
Mar.23 (GMM) The engine, gearbox and monocoque aboard Fernando Alonso’s otherwise-mangled McLaren-Honda survived his famous crash in Melbourne last Sunday. Marca, a Spanish sports daily, estimated the damage caused by the shattered carbon-fibre and other disposable components at EUR 300,000, after Alonso barrel-rolled through the gravel after a 300kph impact with Esteban Gutierrez. But the […]
Bottas hopes new nose boosts Williams
Mar.23 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says it is too early to become overly disappointed with the pace of Williams’ 2016 car. The Finn finished just eighth in Australia, having qualified in the midfield. “It is difficult to say much about the pace in qualifying as I didn’t get any clear air and then I got the […]
Haryanto actually won ‘driver of the day’ vote
Mar.23 (GMM) Rio Haryanto actually won the popular vote as F1 debuted its new official ‘driver of the day’ plaudit in Australia. Many were surprised in the hours after the 2016 season opener when the results of the poll were not published. Belatedly, the winner was declared as having been Romain Grosjean, who powered team […]