Dec.21 (GMM) Renault now “have the keys” to the Enstone based team known in 2015 as Lotus. That is what a lawyer for the French carmaker on Monday told an insolvency judge in London, signalling an end to Lotus’ financial struggles and the completion of the Renault buyout deal. It is understood the judge was […]
Sepang to close for F1 upgrades
Dec.21 (GMM) Sepang, the Malaysian grand prix circuit, will be closed for three months for repairs ahead of the 2016 race. Usually, Malaysia hosts an early round of the world championship, but next year the race will not be until October. Sepang has now announced that it will be closed between February and May for […]
No budget increase for works Renault team – Stoll
Dec.19 (GMM) Jerome Stoll, the Renault Sport chairman, has dismissed reports the French carmaker is ramping up its annual F1 budget. The reports had suggested that after only supplying Red Bull and Toro Rosso with engines in 2015, Renault would now match Mercedes’ budget as it returns to full works team status next season. But […]
Wolff says he is still friends with Lauda
Dec.19 (GMM) Toto Wolff has rejected speculation he and Niki Lauda no longer get along. The rumours had spread around the paddock towards the end of Mercedes’ dominant 2015 campaign, but the Austrians tackled it by amusingly joining hands as they exited a meeting. Wolff, the team boss, now insists that he still sees eye-to-eye […]
Marko hopes Red Bull ‘martyrdom’ helps F1
Dec.19 (GMM) Mercedes baulked at supplying Red Bull for 2016 after analysing the pace of the energy drink team’s chassis. That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, who said that although the team is having to stick with underpowered Renault for now, he is “somewhat proud” that Mercedes but also Ferrari and Honda refused […]
Ecclestone not confirming BBC’s F1 exit
Dec.19 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is refusing to confirm that F1’s free-to-air British broadcaster is pulling out of the sport. British newspapers this week said the BBC has now decided to stop broadcasting F1 with immediate effect due to cost cuts, despite an ongoing contract. The reports also said the BBC would be replaced by ITV, […]
Hugo Hakkinen not following Mick Schumacher to F1
Dec.18 (GMM) In 1999, as Mika Hakkinen won his second world championship, arch F1 rival Michael Schumacher welcomed a son – Mick – into the world. Similarly, it was in 2000 when Schumacher and Hakkinen had their now legendary overtaking dice at Spa — the same year that the Finn’s son Hugo was born. Now, […]
‘Strange’ that Volkswagen not in F1 – Marchionne
Dec.18 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne, the Ferrari and Fiat Chrysler chief, says he is still urging his Volkswagen counterpart to consider entering formula one. Currently, only four carmakers are on the grid, even though Renault has just stepped up its involvement by buying Lotus and returning to full works status for 2016. “I know Carlos Ghosn,” […]
Vandoorne aims for F1 debut in 2017
Dec.18 (GMM) Stoffel Vandoorne has acknowledged that his F1 race career will have to wait until 2017 at least. The McLaren-backed Belgian has been dominant en route to becoming the new GP2 champion this year. “There is always pressure,” said the 23-year-old, “because I knew after coming second last year I had to win in […]
Ferrari can fight for 2016 title – Andretti
Dec.18 (GMM) Mario Andretti, a motor racing legend and former Ferrari driver, says he can imagine the Maranello marque taking on Mercedes for the title in 2016. “Yes, of course,” he is quoted by Italy’s Omnicorse. “It seems to me that the atmosphere is very motivated and serene, and (Sebastian) Vettel is the right person […]
Wolff not worried about rivals poaching staff
Dec.18 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he is not worried Mercedes’ success will be eroded by rival teams poaching top staff. When asked about rumours that Ferrari poached five Mercedes engineers as the Italian marque significantly improved its engine last year, he insisted: “That’s nonsense.” But he also admitted that, in light of Mercedes’ utter dominance […]
Wolff ready for ‘even bigger’ driver fight
Dec.18 (GMM) Toto Wolff insists he does not want to end the controversial rivalry between warring Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. That is despite the fact that he was recently quoted as warning that if the feud gets out of hand and affects team spirit, Mercedes may need to change its lineup. “I […]
Carmen Jorda ‘excited’ about future with Renault
Dec.18 (GMM) Carmen Jorda sounds confident she will remain with Enstone as the current Lotus team transitions to Renault ownership over the winter. Often controversially, the 27-year-old female GP3 driver has been a development driver with Lotus in 2015, travelling the calendar but not actually driving the black and gold car. When asked this week […]
ITV to replace BBC for ‘free’ F1 in Britain
Dec.18 (GMM) The BBC, F1’s free-to-air British broadcaster, looks set to drop its coverage of the sport. The broadcaster has warned that it must cut costs, but F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone recently refused to renegotiate the BBC’s ongoing contract. And so British newspapers are reporting that the BBC, whose coverage has involved well-known F1 personalities […]
Monza future brighter as law tweaked
Dec.18 (GMM) In the days before Christmas, good news emerged this week from Italian parliamentary circles. La Repubblica reports that after a marathon 37 hour sitting, the budget committee gave a green light to tweak the ‘Legge di stabilita’ (stability law) that had earlier cast doubt on Monza’s ability to host the Italian grand prix. […]
No Renault ‘fireworks’ in early 2016 – Palmer
Dec.18 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer has warned that Renault may not shine immediately as the carmaker returns to full works status in formula one next year. It was amid Lotus’ financial troubles that the Enstone team’s Friday driver was promoted to a full race seat for 2016. Since the buyout, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn has cast […]
Lowe questions downforce increase for 2017
Dec.18 (GMM) Mercedes is among those who are worried about F1’s expected new rules for 2017. The sport basically agrees that the cars must be more spectacular and faster for the future, but there is disagreement about how that should be achieved. World champion Lewis Hamilton, for one, worries that plans to speed up cornering […]
Aston Martin deal unlikely for now – source
Dec.17 (GMM) Aston Martin looks set to shelve for now its plans to enter formula one with Force India. Team owner Vijay Mallya had admitted during October’s Mexican GP weekend that rumours linking Force India with a potential naming sponsorship deal with the British luxury car manufacturer were true. “We are in discussion,” he said, […]
F1 thinks about small teams too much – Alonso
Dec.17 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says whether he stays in F1 beyond his current contract depends on McLaren-Honda’s form and the direction of the sport. The Spaniard, arguably the best and most highly paid driver on the grid, endured a nightmare 2015 after switching from Ferrari, as the new McLaren-Honda union faltered badly. But Alonso swept […]
Renault confident Ilmor help will pay off
Dec.17 (GMM) Renault is confident the involvement of Ilmor, led by the renowned F1 engine guru Mario Illien, will help the French manufacturer as it aims to make a big step forward in 2016. It was at premier customer Red Bull’s behest this year that Illien was drafted onto the project, following early problems. “The […]