Sep.16 (GMM) Fernando Alonso thinks Honda can be targeting Mercedes for 2017. The works McLaren-Honda project struggled in 2015 but has made big strides forwards this year. And according to media reports, the Japanese manufacturer is planning an even bigger step for 2017. “I am very optimistic about the engine for next year,” Alonso told […]
2017 ‘good time’ to make Williams debut – Stroll
Sep.16 (GMM) Lance Stroll says he thinks 2017 is a “good time” for him to make his F1 debut. Still 17, the French Canadian and European F3 championship leader is the favourite to become Valtteri Bottas’ new teammate at Williams for 2017. “It is a fact that I’m going to have a new teammate next […]
Vettel not denying Lowe to Ferrari rumours
Sep.15 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel on Thursday did not deny rumours linking Mercedes chief Paddy Lowe with a move to Ferrari. It is not the only rumour swirling in the Singapore paddock. Another is that Mercedes is using an innovation that mimics active suspension that cannot be outlawed by the FIA until 2018. “To what extent […]
Hamilton not worried about Singapore slump
Sep.15 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton says he is not too worried about a repeat this weekend of Mercedes’ poor showing in the Singapore grand prix last year. Amid three seasons of dominance for the German team in 2014, 2015 and now 2016, Singapore last year was a rare blip, as Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel won. “Last year, […]
Grosjean welcomes F1’s new American owners
Sep.15 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has welcomed F1’s new American owners, saying the ‘American way’ can be good for the sport. It has been announced that US media tycoon John Malone’s Liberty Media, and new executive chairman Chase Carey, are taking over from CVC as the sport’s majority owners. Frenchman Grosjean is now well versed in […]
Button happy to retire with one title
Sep.15 (GMM) Jenson Button says he would be happy to retire with just a single world championship under his belt. Recently at Monza, F1’s longest serving active driver and McLaren announced that Button will take a year out in 2017 but may return the season after. The 36-year-old Briton said in Singapore it is possible […]
Sauber keeps rebuilding after Longbow buyout
Sep.15 (GMM) Sauber is continuing to rebuild after almost collapsing under financial strain earlier in 2016. The Swiss team was rescued by a mysterious Swiss-based group of investors that is thought to be linked with driver Marcus Ericsson’s backers. The first couple of post-buyout recruits were Xevi Pujolar, formerly Max Verstappen’s race engineer, and new […]
Ecclestone to attend Singapore GP with Chase Carey
Sep.15 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has had a change of heart regarding his attendance at this weekend’s Singapore grand prix. Earlier, amid the high-profile sale of the sport to Liberty Media, the F1 chief executive said he would stay in London to help existing owners CVC with the transaction. But the German newspaper Bild reports that […]
Nasr happier with Sauber after team buyout
Sep.14 (GMM) After almost collapsing earlier this year, Sauber is now noticeably back on track. That is the news of team driver Felipe Nasr, who had earlier appeared to almost lose patience with the Swiss outfit’s financial troubles. With his significant backing by Banco do Brasil, the Brazilian is still tentatively linked with a move […]
Doornbos tips Verstappen to shine in Singapore
Sep.14 (GMM) Former F1 driver Robert Doornbos thinks his countryman Max Verstappen has a real chance of winning this weekend’s Singapore grand prix. Mercedes is still dominating in 2016, but a year ago the great German team mysteriously struggled under the city-state’s glistening floodlights. “We believe we now understand why,” said team boss Toto Wolff, […]
Driver decision not a priority for Renault – pundit
Sep.14 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen’s chances of keeping his place at Renault dramatically drop after September ends, according to the Danish newspaper BT. The report reveals that a 2017 ‘option’ in the Danish driver’s existing contract expires on 30 September, with this weekend’s Singapore grand prix being the last race before then. “If the option is […]
British grand prix ‘not super-safe’ – Ecclestone
Sep.14 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has hit out at European countries that don’t spend more to safeguard their future on the F1 calendar. The F1 supremo was asked by Top Gear which recently lost races he most regrets, and answered: “Two races we’ve lost which I’m genuinely upset about were India and Turkey.” However, the sport […]
Mercedes ‘active suspension’ trick revealed
Sep.13 (GMM) The FIA and rival teams want to stop a rule loophole that explains some of the superiority of Mercedes’ 2016 car. That is the claim of Germany’s specialist Auto Motor und Sport, claiming the silver-clad team not only has the best engine in F1 but also the best chassis. The report said the […]
Ecclestone says Prost best ever F1 driver
Sep.13 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has named Alain Prost as the greatest F1 driver of all time. Having built the sport over several decades, and with his motor racing involvement stretching all the way back to the late 40s, the 85-year-old’s opinion carries a great deal of weight. So does he nominate Fangio, Senna or Schumacher? […]
Ecclestone, Button tip Hamilton for title
Sep.13 (GMM) Two prominent F1 figures would put their money on Lewis Hamilton winning a third consecutive drivers’ title in 2017. His Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg has hit back at Hamilton’s recent resurgence with two wins on the trot, and the points gap is down to a measly 2 points. But F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone […]
Stroll admits ‘pressure’ of F1 debut rumours
Sep.13 (GMM) Lance Stroll has admitted he is feeling the “pressure” of speculation linking him with the Williams race seat for 2017. With Felipe Massa announcing his impending retirement at Monza, it is 17-year-old team development driver and Canadian Stroll who is most strongly linked with the drive. Stroll’s father is the fashion mogul and […]
Bianchi hits back at legal action criticism
Sep.12 (GMM) The late Jules Bianchi’s father has defended his criticism of F1 authorities. Philippe Bianchi has engaged the help of lawyers to press a case against the sport, alleging that serious mistakes led to Jules’ accident and subsequent death. “I say and I repeat that errors were clearly made,” Mr Bianchi told Minute-Auto.fr. “Jules […]
Stroll ‘absolutely’ ready for F1 debut
Sep.12 (GMM) Lance Stroll says he is ready to drive a formula one car. Still just 17, the Canadian is now the favourite to replace Felipe Massa at Williams for 2017. Stroll’s father is the well-known fashion billionaire Lawrence Stroll, but Lance is also the runaway leader of the highly-competitive European F3 series. So when […]
Kaltenborn expects European decision ‘soon’
Sep.12 (GMM) Monisha Kaltenborn has tipped the European Commission to rule on the fairness of the governance and income distribution in formula one “soon”. At Sauber and Force India’s behest, the anti-competition authorities are investigating whether the way the big teams receive the lion’s share of the annual prize money, and wield the most decision-making […]
Engine survived big Magnussen crash – report
Sep.12 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen looks set to re-use the power unit that was aboard his Renault when he crashed heavily at Eau Rouge recently. The car was destroyed and the Dane needed a trip to hospital after the violent accident, but Ekstra Bladet newspaper reports that the engine itself survived. “We will probably use Kevin’s […]