Sep.1 (GMM) Felipe Massa has announced his retirement from formula one. The news was revealed during a press conference organised by his current team, Williams, at Monza ahead of the Italian grand prix. Brazilian Massa, 35, debuted for Sauber in 2002 and won 11 grands prix for Ferrari. “Every team I have been a part […]
Pizzonia’s top speed F1 record could tumble
Sep.1 (GMM) A 12-year F1 record might finally tumble at Monza this weekend. In 2004, it was Antonio Pizzonia who set the sport’s current top-speed record in a BMW-Williams, as he blasted down the long straight at 369.9kph through the official speed trap. That was with a 1000hp V10 screaming at 21,000rpm, but some believe […]
Vettel not committing whole career to Ferrari
Sep.1 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is relieved Monza looks to be back on track with a new three-year F1 race deal. “I could never imagine F1 without Monza,” he told Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper. “It would be a nightmare. “I can’t wait to be back on track with all those fans, the passion, the banners, […]
F1’s ‘second thoughts’ over Euro exodus – Monza
Sep.1 (GMM) Italian grand prix chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani thinks a shift back to Europe could be occurring in F1. After a long period of uncertainty, Monza and Bernie Ecclestone appear ready to sign on the dotted line of a new three-year contract from 2017. “In the next hours, lawyers will exchange the latest considerations […]
Honda eyes new technology for 2017
Sep.1 (GMM) Honda has indicated it could follow the technological lead of F1’s other ‘power unit’ makers. McLaren’s Japanese works partner has made great strides in 2016, but the Honda unit is now the only one in pitlane not using so-called “pre-combustion chamber” or TJI technology. Spain’s AS sports newspaper said the technology has been […]
RTL flags new TV deal for Germany
Sep.1 (GMM) German free-to-air broadcaster RTL is considering extending its F1 television deal yet again. Last year, after a period of uncertainty, German fans breathed a sigh of relief when RTL confirmed a new deal with Bernie Eccleston had been reached. RTL had been re-considering its deal for financial reasons, amid dwindling spectator interest in […]
Massa could turn to Brazil’s stock car – report
Sep.1 (GMM) Felipe Massa could find himself out of F1 and in Brazil’s national stock car series in 2017. That is the view of Brazilian journalist Flavio Gomes, who thinks 2016 has so far been “the worst season for Felipe at Williams” since he joined the team from Ferrari in 2014. Williams has reportedly re-signed […]
Teams could reject new Pirelli tyre – report
Sep.1 (GMM) Pirelli’s plans to introduce a new construction for its tyres in 2016 could be rejected by the teams. The new construction, tested with the ‘soft’ compound in practice recently, is reportedly stronger in the sidewall to better protect against kerb damage. But a mid-season introduction must be accepted by all the teams, and […]
Marko denies Gasly to oust Kvyat
Sep.1 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has slammed rumours Pierre Gasly is on the cusp of beginning his F1 adventure. The 20-year-old Frenchman is next in line in Red Bull’s young driver programme, but he arguably underperformed in the first half of the GP2 season this year. But he then won three races recently, at Silverstone, […]
2017 calendar to have 21 races again – report
Aug.31 (GMM) F1 looks set to embark on a second consecutive 21-race voyage around the world in 2017. Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport claims next year’s schedule will match the current, record-setting number of races, with the first of 21 grands prix taking place on March 26 in Melbourne. The report said that while rumours […]
Pundit hopes crash doesn’t dent Magnussen chances
Aug.31 (GMM) Danish racing driver Jason Watt hopes Kevin Magnussen’s huge crash at Eau Rouge doesn’t dent his chances of staying at Renault in 2017. Despite hurting his ankle in the 40-plus G impact, Dane Magnussen is uninjured and will travel to Monza for mandatory FIA checks on Thursday. “I’m feeling much better, which is […]
‘No bodyguards’ for Verstappen at Monza – manager
Aug.31 (GMM) Max Verstappen’s manager has denied reports the Dutch teenager might be wise to take precautions ahead of the Italian grand prix. After the first-corner clash at Spa, the on-track battles with Kimi Raikkonen and then Sebastian Vettel’s post-race comments, Verstappen said the Ferrari-clad duo should be “ashamed”. “I think he shouldn’t tell anyone […]
New Monza deal to finally be signed – report
Aug.31 (GMM) A new F1 race deal for historic Monza is finally ready to be signed and announced. That is the claim of the local Il Cittadino newspaper, reporting impending news that will end a long-running saga regarding the future of the Italian grand prix. “It could be Friday or Saturday,” a source said, referring […]
Dennis denies Button decision made
Aug.31 (GMM) Ron Dennis has denied claims Jenson Button will definitely leave McLaren and possibly F1 at the end of the season. Writing for the Sunday Times, respected journalist Mark Hughes claimed the Honda-powered team told Button, 36, at Spa that he will be replaced by Stoffel Vandoorne. Hughes added: “It is understood that Button […]
Bottas inks new two-year Williams deal – reports
Aug.30 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas looks to have secured his future with Williams. The Finn has been tentatively linked with a move to Renault, but the German-language Auto Bild as well as Speed Week report that a deal has been done on a new two-year Williams deal. The timing of the reports is interesting, amid rumours […]
Good start for Allison’s successor Binotto – press
Aug.30 (GMM) Following a mid-season slump, things are looking up for Ferrari. That is the view of the patriotic and yet hyper-critical Italian press, agreeing with team boss Maurizio Arrivabene that podium finishes were on the cards at Monza. “The best Ferrari of the year did not even manage a third place, but only Verstappen […]
Magnussen will be at Monza – physio
Aug.30 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen’s trainer and physio says the Dane will definitely be at Monza this weekend. The 40-plus G impact at the fabled Eau Rouge corner on Sunday broke his protective cockpit collar and meant a hospital check for the Renault driver. “He will have a lot of treatment now and not just in […]
Manager to talk to Max over aggression
Aug.30 (GMM) The F1 paddock is split over Max Verstappen’s aggression during the Belgian grand prix. Some are hailing his battles with the furious Kimi Raikkonen, insisting it is good for the sport. “Everything is good for Max, because the reactions he is getting remind me very strongly of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher at […]
Red Bull denies illegal diffuser claims
Aug.29 (GMM) Red Bull has hit back at any suggestion its 2016 car may be illegal. The team has sped past Ferrari in recent times, with Max Verstappen qualifying on the front row at Spa before teammate Daniel Ricciardo went on to split the Mercedes on the podium. Asked if Mercedes is now in Red […]
Perez hints news about future imminent
Aug.29 (GMM) News about Sergio Perez’s future may now be imminent. It has been a hot topic in the F1 paddock recently, after Force India supremo Vijay Mallya said the Mexican has a deal in place for 2017. Perez, however, is refusing to commit publicly to the Silverstone team, nor refute speculation his Mexican backers […]