Jun.24 (GMM) Alain Prost has described the coverage of last weekend’s inaugural race in Baku as a “disaster”. While the street circuit itself was lauded for its spectacular layout and scenery, the F1 legend says he was bored whilst watching the television coverage. “It was the first time in years that I could not follow […]
F1 to ‘definitely’ drop European races – Ecclestone
Jun.24 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed reports he intends to drop “one or two” European rounds from the F1 calendar. The F1 supremo was quoted this week as saying that while this year’s schedule stands at an unprecedented 21 grands prix, the 2017 calendar could have as few as 18. “Absolutely,” Ecclestone has now told […]
Teams open to selling Perez, Sainz to Ferrari
Jun.23 (GMM) The respective bosses of the two drivers most strongly linked with a move to Ferrari say they are open to talking with the Italian team about a buyout. Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz have three things in common: they are in top form, and they are each being linked with a 2017 Ferrari […]
Rosberg ready to beat Hamilton in 2016 – Montagny
Jun.23 (GMM) Former F1 driver Franck Montagny thinks Nico Rosberg is ready to win his first world championship in 2016. The Frenchman, who drove for Super Aguri ten years ago, says that just as reigning title winner Lewis Hamilton is slipping, German Rosberg has stepped up his own game. “I think Nico has changed between […]
Fittipaldi backs end of ‘Aeroscreen’ momentum
Jun.23 (GMM) Former F1 driver Christian Fittipaldi has backed reports that Red Bull’s ‘Aeroscreen’ concept has been put on the back burner. We reported last Friday that the Red Bull-championed cockpit protection windshield had stalled, after the FIA asked for further development of the concept. “We have too many other projects at the moment,” team […]
Marko says Kvyat could stay at Toro Rosso
Jun.23 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has suggested Daniil Kvyat stands a strong chance of keeping his place at Toro Rosso beyond the end of 2016. After the 22-year-old Russian was dropped from the Red Bull Racing lineup earlier this year and relegated to the junior team, all the signs indicated the energy drink brand and […]
Red Bull could sell Sainz deal to Renault – report
Jun.23 (GMM) There could be more than meets the eye to the re-signing by Red Bull of Carlos Sainz for 2017. Reports in recent days, backed by comments by Toro Rosso chief Franz Tost and Red Bull’s Christian Horner, have suggested the energy drink brand will definitely take up the one-year option in 21-year-old Spaniard […]
Brazil promoter slams Massa over GP comments
Jun.23 (GMM) The promoter of Brazil’s F1 race has slammed Felipe Massa for saying it is “possible” Interlagos will be axed from the calendar. Following comments made by Bernie Ecclestone, Sao Paulista Massa admitted in Baku last weekend: “What is happening in Brazil at the moment is very difficult. “So it’s not impossible that F1 […]
Slim eyes eight-digit boost for Perez’s Ferrari seat
Jun.23 (GMM) Sergio Perez’s bid for a Ferrari race cockpit for 2017 could have got an eight-digit boost. The Mexican is riding a wave of confidence and form at present after two podiums in the last three races for the little Silverstone-based team Force India. “He still has the fiery image of a young driver […]
Official says Monza deal now ‘on the home straight’
Jun.22 (GMM) Italian automobile club (Aci) chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani says a new F1 race deal for Monza beyond 2016 is now “on the home straight”. Bernie Ecclestone admitted in Baku last weekend that reports another well-known Italian circuit – Imola – could poach the race are true. The F1 supremo also warned that Italy […]
Tost hopes to keep Toro Rosso drivers for 2017
Jun.22 (GMM) Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost said he would be happy if the Faenza team lined up with the same drivers in 2017. It looks almost certain that team owner Red Bull will trigger the automatic 1-year extension of Carlos Sainz’s contract, with an announcement expected imminently. “It’s very, very close,” Tost told the […]
Capito to start at McLaren in late August
Jun.22 (GMM) A couple more months will pass until McLaren’s new chief executive will start work at the Woking team. We reported a month ago that Jost Capito, currently VW’s racing chief, would probably start work in late August, despite being signed up by McLaren in January. The German had said he would not leave […]
Dave Ryan ‘sure’ McLaren will win again
Jun.22 (GMM) Dave Ryan is sure McLaren will eventually returning to winning ways in F1. The New Zealander is now the racing director at Manor, but for the bulk of his F1 career until the well-known ‘lie-gate’ scandal he was the sporting director at the Woking based team. “They will return to the top of […]
Todt plays down need for radio ban rethink
Jun.22 (GMM) Jean Todt has played down the need for F1 to revisit the controversial ban on certain pit-to-driver radio communications. The issue has arisen after Sunday’s Baku race, during which Lewis Hamilton in particular struggled for power due to an engine mode setting he was unable to resolve. Kimi Raikkonen had a similar problem […]
Allison says 2017 cars to be ‘beautiful’
Jun.22 (GMM) F1 is creating a fleet of “beautiful” next-generation cars. That is the news from Ferrari’s technical boss James Allison, when speaking about the sweeping new rules for 2017 featuring wider cars and Pirelli tyres. “We made a small step forward already to get rid of the horrible noses that we had a couple […]
Only ‘real’ Hamilton can beat Rosberg – Webber
Jun.21 (GMM) Mark Webber thinks world champion Lewis Hamilton can bounce back and secure his third consecutive title this year. Another another troubled weekend in Baku, Hamilton’s deficit to Nico Rosberg blew back out to 24 points as he declared “It’s looking like a good year for Nico”. But former F1 driver Mark Webber said […]
Rosberg back to winning after helmet change
Jun.21 (GMM) Nico Rosberg put his championship charge back on track in Baku after following Lewis Hamilton’s lead — with his helmet. World champion Hamilton ended his career-long association with Arai helmets last year by switching to Bell, an American manufacturer. His Mercedes teammate Rosberg, however, had won all of his grand prix victories until […]
Imola not determined to shut out Monza – mayor
Jun.21 (GMM) Imola and Monza may be able to peacefully co-exist in F1. That is the claim of Daniele Manca, mayor of the town of Imola, whose local circuit hosted many San Marino grands prix until 2006. Bernie Ecclestone has been in troubled negotiations with Monza over a new contract beyond 2016, with Imola near […]
Kvyat to make ‘own decisions’ on F1 future
Jun.21 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat’s future in F1 is not as secure as that of his current Toro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz. It is believed Sainz is on the cusp of having a one-year contract extension triggered by Toro Rosso owner Red Bull, even though the Spanish daily Marca reports that Renault is also interested in […]
Briatore says Alonso’s McLaren move ‘my fault’
Jun.21 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has hinted for the first time that Fernando Alonso’s move to McLaren-Honda may have been a mistake. The management of Spaniard Alonso’s career is still directed by his former Renault boss Briatore. The 66-year-old Italian told Gr Parlamento Rai radio that Alonso does not regret the five years he spent at […]