Mar.6 (GMM) Jean Todt sounds unlikely to agree to any major revisions to F1’s current engine regulations. F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has led the charge for the quiet and controversial turbo V6s to be scrapped. And even Niki Lauda, team chairman of the ultra-dominant Mercedes team, thinks the technical regulations need to be revamped. He […]
Aus GP denies boycott threat
Mar.6 (GMM) Australian grand prix organisers insist next weekend’s 2015 season opener in Melbourne will not be boycotted. German reports had suggested teams had safety concerns about racing in light of the mysterious circumstances of Fernando Alonso’s recent testing crash. But Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief Andrew Westacott played down the claims. “We’re talking to […]
Vettel was right to leave Red Bull – Villeneuve
Mar.6 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel made the right choice in deciding to leave Red Bull for Ferrari. That is the view of 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who said it became clear last year that despite winning four titles with the energy drink marque, the Vettel era at Red Bull was over. “There was this young […]
Alonso ‘surprised’ by McLaren crash saga – Ecclestone
Mar.6 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has reportedly said the circumstances of Fernando Alonso’s bizarre testing crash are “completely inexplicable”. The F1 chief executive, however, admitted that after the Spaniard’s four days in hospital, he is not surprised the new McLaren-Honda driver is sitting out Melbourne. “What has surprised me is what happened (in Barcelona). It is […]
German GP must meet ‘conditions’ – Ecclestone
Mar.6 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has suggested the matter of the embattled German grand prix is purely financial. The F1 chief executive has set a deadline of this weekend for the conclusion of contract talks with the Nurburgring or Hockenheim. Many, however, have argued that as one of F1’s traditional host nations, the sport should make […]
Buying F1 team ‘not excluded’ admits Renault
Mar.6 (GMM) Renault is now openly contemplating a return to full works status in formula one. After running a works team until 2010, the French carmaker remained on the grid only as a supplier, helping Red Bull to win multiple titles. But officials are now admitting a better marketing strategy for the future might be […]
Manor passes crash tests with 2015-legal car
Mar.6 (GMM) Manor Marussia is on the way to Melbourne. Although the revived team officially launched its 2015 earlier this week, it was still scrambling to prepare a car for the new regulations. The modified 2014 car was crash tested on Thursday, with the team now confirming “We have passed”. “That’s it,” Manor said on […]
Politics stops Monza GP rescue bid
Mar.5 (GMM) A cloud hanging over the future of Monza’s iconic Italian grand prix is growing darker. The latest ominous development is on the political front, where on Wednesday it emerged that a move to exempt the fabled Autodromo Nazionale from new laws had failed. The news will reportedly cost Monza EUR 20 million in […]
Ericsson says old feud with Nasr now over
Mar.5 (GMM) Marcus Ericsson says he healed old wounds with Felipe Nasr once it become clear they would be F1 teammates this year. The pair will line up as Sauber’s new drivers in 2015, but Swede Ericsson, 24, revealed this week that he was never friends with Brazilian Nasr. In 2012 and 2013, they were […]
No more Monaco hamburgers with Hamilton – Rosberg
Mar.5 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has fired the opening salvo as his rivalry with teammate Lewis Hamilton is set to recommence. The pair, once boyhood karting friends, endured a tetchy relationship last year as they battled alone at the front of the grid for the 2014 title. Briton Hamilton ultimately won the day, but only after […]
King denies eyeing Ecclestone’s job
Mar.5 (GMM) Justin King on Wednesday played down suggestions his new role at Manor is a stepping stone to F1’s top job. Already last year, the former Sainsbury’s chief was named as a potential successor to Bernie Ecclestone. Now, he has surfaced at the reborn Manor Marussia, not having bought into the team but serving […]
Manor heads for Melbourne with $92m budget
Mar.5 (GMM) Set to race as ‘Manor Marussia’, the backmarker almost collapsed but will return with a $92 million budget in 2015, it emerged on Wednesday. At a launch event in London, the team confirmed it has won its race to make it to Melbourne thanks to the personal investment of Stephen Fitzpatrick, who heads […]
F4 season costing Mick Schu ‘100,000 euros’
Mar.5 (GMM) Mick Schumacher’s move into single seater racing is costing EUR 100,000 euros. That is the claim of the major German daily Bild, following confirmation the great Michael Schumacher’s 15-year-old son will drive this year in German formula 4. The report said the season is costing the Schumacher family, or the kart driver’s sponsors, […]
McLaren-Honda wants to win ‘soon’ – Boullier
Mar.5 (GMM) McLaren-Honda is determined to reach the top step of the podium “as soon as possible”. That is the claim of team boss Eric Boullier, after a troubled winter for the new British-Japanese collaboration. McLaren-Honda has struggled simply to run its new MP4-30, and now its star driver Fernando Alonso has been sidelined with […]
Manor still in race to reach Melbourne
Mar.5 (GMM) Manor must still clear high hurdles as it bids to return to F1 this year. While the former Marussia team’s quest for Melbourne was officially launched at an event in London on Wednesday, the backmarker does not currently have a car cleared to race. According to Italy’s Omnicorse, Manor is currently headed to […]
Ferrari talks began in 2008 – Vettel
Mar.5 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel on Thursday admitted his first hint of a future Ferrari deal came many years ago. In 2012, the German was in the glowing midst of his title-winning run at Red Bull, but the “dream” of one day wearing red was already strong. “In the winter between 2012 and 2013 I went […]
Decision looming over 2015 German GP
Mar.5 (GMM) The eleventh hour has arrived for the 2015 German grand prix. Despite a July 19 slot on the calendar, neither the Nurburgring or Hockenheim currently have a deal with Bernie Ecclestone to host the race. So as the clock counts down to just a week to go until the Melbourne paddock fills, Ecclestone […]
Alonso thought he was 13 after Barcelona crash
Mar.5 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s most striking symptom after crashing in Barcelona eleven days ago was a total loss of memory. The Spanish daily El Pais claims that when the 33-year-old regained consciousness, he thought it was 1995. “I’m Fernando,” he told doctors, “I race karts and I want to be a formula one driver.” The […]
Schumacher doctor’s laptop stolen – report
Mar.5 (GMM) The office belonging to Michael Schumacher’s personal doctor has been burgled. Germany’s Bild newspaper reports that cash, prescriptions and a laptop were among the items stolen from the clinic belonging to Dr Johannes Peil. The report said Peil would not confirm if medical data about the F1 legend or his other patients including […]
Teams threatening boycott over Alonso crash – report
Mar.5 (GMM) F1 teams are threatening to boycott unless clearer information about Fernando Alonso’s mysterious testing crash is revealed. That is the claim of the German magazine Sport Bild, after McLaren-Honda’s star driver was sidelined for next weekend’s season opener in Melbourne. McLaren insists Alonso is completely uninjured, but he will sit out Australia after […]