Mar.14 (GMM) F1 could be poised for a big change at the top, a leading correspondent has claimed. Luis Vasconcelos, writing for Finland’s Turun Sanomat newspaper, claims sources have told him Zak Brown could be set to take over from Bernie Ecclestone. American Brown is well known in F1 as the head of Just Marketing, […]
‘Musical chairs’ to go ahead in Melbourne
Mar.14 (GMM) Any doubt that the controversial ‘musical chairs’ qualifying format will make its bow in Melbourne have been swept aside. Even though the format – which will see cars eliminated in 90-second segments in 2016 in a bid to spice up the grid – passed through all of F1’s decision-making processes, doubts were still […]
Mercedes-like dominance not new in F1 – Montoya
Mar.14 (GMM) Juan Pablo Montoya says the current Mercedes era is no different to any other team’s dominance throughout recent F1 history. The former Williams and McLaren driver kicked off the new Indycar series with victory in Florida, so when asked if he misses the so-called pinnacle of motor sport, he insisted: “No!” “I have […]
‘No alternative’ to Schumacher silence – manager
Mar.14 (GMM) Michael Schumacher’s manager has defended the ongoing secrecy about the condition of the most successful F1 driver of all time. Now more than two years after his skiing crash in the French alps, almost nothing is known about the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver’s health — even whether he can walk or talk. […]
Kvyat ‘ready’ to fight for F1 title
Mar.14 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat on Monday said he feels ready to fight for the world championship. The Red Bull driver’s former team boss, Toro Rosso chief Franz Tost, reportedly said recently that the 21-year-old Russian is now good enough to win a title. “I thank Franz for these words,” Kvyat told the Russian news agency […]
Mercedes warns ‘musical chairs’ could backfire on F1
Mar.14 (GMM) F1’s new qualifying format could backfire on the sport, Mercedes has warned. The controversial ‘musical chairs’ elimination system has been enshrined in the sporting regulations ahead of its debut in Melbourne on Saturday. The intention is to spice up the action and potentially shake up the grid, but Mercedes chiefs Niki Lauda and […]
Rosberg contrasts ‘focus’ with Hamilton’s lifestyle
Mar.14 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he has worked to simplify his life and narrow his focus upon beating Lewis Hamilton for the first time in three years. Even if Mercedes dominates yet again, the all-silver driver battle could be fascinating in 2016. That is because Hamilton dominated Rosberg for most of last season until he […]
Mateschitz renews Red Bull quit threat
Mar.13 (GMM) Dietrich Mateschitz’s thoughts about quitting formula one are apparently still alive. Last year, amid the arguments with Renault and dissatisfaction about the direction of the sport, the Red Bull mogul and billionaire reportedly thought seriously about pulling his two teams out of F1. Ultimately, Red Bull is still in the paddock, but Toro […]
Wehrlein says Haryanto ‘not bad driver’
Mar.13 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein has defended the credentials of his 2016 teammate. While the strongly Mercedes-backed and reigning DTM champion Wehrlein is highly rated, there has been scant praise in comparison for Rio Haryanto. The Indonesian is sponsored by the Indonesian government, he has been derided by the German press, and pundit Robert Doornbos recently […]
More freedom for Mercedes driver fight in 2016
Mar.12 (GMM) Mercedes will ease the rules of engagement between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg for their 2016 battle. Team boss Toto Wolff ended last season with a warning that more bad feeling between the warring teammates could prompt a change to the driver lineup. The tension between the silver-clad drivers was obvious during Friday’s […]
Brazil plays down doubts over 2016 race
Mar.11 (GMM) Just as the US grand prix ended its uncertainty, doubts have now emerged about whether this year’s Brazil race will take place in November. Brazilian reports say F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone told a media outlet that talks with organisers about solving a financial matter were underway. The Portuguese-language Grande Premio quoted Interlagos race […]
Podium target too high for Sainz – father
Mar.11 (GMM) Carlos Sainz’s famous father has joined his son in putting the brakes on claims Toro Rosso could be ready to race to the podium in 2016. It was the Red Bull-owned junior team’s boss Franz Tost who set the podium target recently, but 21-year-old Sainz jr warned that “Under normal circumstances, I don’t […]
Wehrlein sure Manor right for F1 debut
Mar.11 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein is confident Manor is the right place for his F1 debut. The reigning DTM champion is stepping up with the strong backing of Mercedes, but some believe defending his title in 2016 and waiting for a better F1 seat might have been a better option for the talented German. But Wehrlein, […]
Lauda, Horner reveal Melbourne qualifying doubts
Mar.11 (GMM) Niki Lauda has defended F1’s controversial new qualifying format on the basis that the alternative floated by Bernie Ecclestone was “absurd”. After some back and forth, the World Motor Sport Council finally rubber-stamped the new ‘musical chairs’ system that will debut in Australia next weekend. However, Red Bull chief Christian Horner thinks there […]
‘Halo’ decision must be made soon – FIA
Mar.11 (GMM) Time is running short for F1 to introduce better cockpit protection for 2017. The FIA is pushing to put the controversial ‘halo’ on the cars next year, with Ferrari signalling that intention by running a mock-up for Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel to try during last week’s Barcelona test. FIA president Jean Todt […]
Hulkenberg eyes first ever podium in 2016
Mar.11 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has set his sights on finally reaching the podium in 2016. Remarkably, although one of the most highly-rated midfield drivers in F1, the 28-year-old has never finished one of his almost 100 grands prix in the top three. “It must be a podium,” he told the German broadcaster RTL when asked […]
Ecclestone criticism ‘sad’ – Murray Walker
Mar.11 (GMM) Murray Walker, the iconic voice of formula one, has added his disapproval to the latest criticisms of his beloved sport. Now 92, and having retired as Britain’s lead commentator some 15 years ago, Walker will play a minor role in 2016 for Channel 4’s new coverage of F1. So it was with dismay […]
Rosberg aims to carry form into 2016
Mar.10 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he is determined to make 2016 “my year”, after two consecutive championship defeats to his teammate Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes driver said the lowest point came in Austin, where he threw away a race win – and later his cap – allowing Hamilton to wrap up the title with three […]
Hamilton should re-think ‘halo’ stance – Surtees
Mar.10 (GMM) F1 veterans have revealed they disagree with reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton’s stance about the ‘halo’ cockpit cage slated for 2017. Some of the Mercedes driver’s colleagues have also admitted their opposition to the safety device, but Hamilton went a step further by calling it the “worst looking mod in F1 history”. Hamilton’s […]
Mercedes dominance might be over – Surer
Mar.10 (GMM) Mercedes’ utter dominance of formula one in the ‘power unit’ era could finally be over. That is the view of former driver turned pundit Marc Surer, even though many other experts believe the German team cannily sandbagged throughout the winter season. Asked if Mercedes will therefore dominate again in 2016, Surer told the […]