Feb.24 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein is determined to make his mark on formula one this year. Backed by Mercedes, the reigning DTM champion makes his grand prix debut in 2016 with Manor, just as the backmarker team eyes a major step forward. The team has secured the best engine on the grid, technology support from Williams, […]
Palmer hopes Renault can fight with Haas
Feb.24 (GMM) Renault needs to up its game to avoid a “terrible” start to the 2016 season. That was the warning in Barcelona of Jolyon Palmer, who has driven the black RS16, currently painted in interim black, so far this week. He admitted to some concern that, after a bad start to his own campaign […]
F1 to ramp up ‘knockout’ qualifying for 2016
Feb.24 (GMM) F1 looks set for a radical shakeup to its qualifying format, according to widespread reports in the specialist press. The news, yet to be announced by the governing body, follows a series of meetings that took place on Tuesday in Geneva. The meetings of the Strategy Group and F1 Commission had been billed […]
Qualifying tweak ‘good move’ for F1 – Lauda
Feb.24 (GMM) Niki Lauda has shown the thumbs-up to F1’s impending change to the qualifying format for 2016. At meetings in Geneva on Tuesday, the sport collectively agreed that every 90 seconds during qualifying this year, the slowest car should be knocked out. “This is a good move,” F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman Lauda […]
Haas ‘not desperate’ to sign F1 sponsors
Feb.24 (GMM) Gene Haas insists he is “not desperate” to fill up the livery of the new American team’s 2016 livery. It is notable that, despite the huge interest in F1’s newest team, only the personal sponsors of drivers Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez are easily visible on the grey, black and red car and […]
Williams ‘a lot different’ to 2015 car – Massa
Feb.24 (GMM) Felipe Massa has taken issue with reports Williams has been too conservative with the design of its 2016 car. Following the FW38’s launch, a correspondent from Brazil had reported his “disappointment” that the new car is visibly almost identical to its predecessor. But Massa insisted to Globo Esporte: “The car is a lot […]
Alonso says Mercedes ‘stronger than ever’
Feb.24 (GMM) Fernando Alonso slammed a British journalist for having suggested that Tuesday was effectively ‘D-day’ in his formula one career. London’s Times newspaper had published a report suggesting the Spaniard would decide on Tuesday, when he drove the new McLaren-Honda for the first time, whether or not to retire. “Yes, I read it and […]
Alonso surprised by Honda chief exit
Feb.24 (GMM) Fernando Alonso was among those who were caught by surprise by Honda’s announcement of the departure of F1 chief Yasuhisa Arai on Tuesday. “I heard it at noon when I was jumping in the car,” said the Spaniard. “Let’s see what changes this brings with it.” Actually, Arai’s exit should not be a […]
Dennis not predicting McLaren-Honda wins yet
Feb.22 (GMM) McLaren-Honda did not set any performance targets as the Anglo-Japanese collaboration launched its 2016 car on Sunday. The world of F1, including hundreds of media representatives, has gathered at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, where on Monday the first of just eight days of pre-season testing begins. Spain’s El Mundo is calling it ‘grand […]
No ‘huge step’ for Red Bull in 2016 – Newey
Feb.22 (GMM) Adrian Newey on Monday admitted he does not expect Red Bull to take a “huge step forward” in 2016. After the engine supply crisis of late last year, the team has returned to F1 for the new year with rebranded Renault power. But designer Newey is optimistic. “I think our engine supplier had […]
Hulkenberg no fan of closing F1 cockpit
Feb.22 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has admitted he is not among those who support the closing of the cockpits in formula one. It is believed F1 is close to adopting the so-called ‘halo’ concept for 2017, to reduce the risk of head injuries. GPDA chief Alex Wurz had said the initiative has the full support of […]
2016 field an ‘evolution’ of last year
Feb.22 (GMM) Up and down the Barcelona paddock, the buzzword is “evolution”. With the exception of Sauber, all the 2016 cars have now been revealed, including – on Monday – the Manor, Renault and all-blue Toro Rosso. It is even being said that Mercedes’ title-winning car is obviously very similar to its predecessor. “It feels […]
Baldisserri ‘does not ask Mick’ about Schumacher health
Feb.22 (GMM) Luca Baldisserri, an engineer who formerly worked closely with F1 legend Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, has confirmed he is now overseeing the career of the great German’s son Mick. Baldisserri recently left Ferrari in order to mentor new Williams development driver Lance Stroll, who drives for the Ferrari-linked Italian F3 team Prema. Schumacher, […]
Wehrlein is ‘lead driver’ at Manor – Ryan
Feb.22 (GMM) Although just a rookie, Pascal Wehrlein has been given the lead role at Manor for 2016. With Mercedes’ backing, the reigning DTM champion will make his F1 debut this year for the newly Mercedes-powered backmarker team. Wehrlein, 21, will be partnered at Manor by fellow rookie Rio Haryanto, who is bringing millions to […]
Hartstein attacks Ecclestone after interview
Feb.22 (GMM) Former F1 doctor Gary Hartstein has launched a stinging attack on the sport’s ‘supremo’ Bernie Ecclestone. The tirade on Twitter follows 85-year-old Ecclestone having declared to the Daily Mail newspaper that the sport is “the worst it has ever been”. “I wouldn’t spend my money to take my family to watch a race. […]
No early-season crisis for Force India in 2016
Feb.22 (GMM) Force India has avoided repeating the crisis of last winter. A year ago, the Silverstone based team’s early campaign was derailed by financial problems, reportedly as suppliers refused to release work due to unpaid bills. “Because of what happened with Caterham and Marussia, some suppliers tightened the thumbscrews,” sporting director Otmar Szafnauer told […]
F1 set for another key meeting over future
Feb.22 (GMM) Another important meeting will take place regarding F1’s future this week. While the main eyes are on the track action in Barcelona, the sport’s top figures will soon head to Geneva where the car and engine rules for 2017 and beyond will be discussed once again. Earlier, Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt seemed […]
Debut shock as Haas front wing fails
Feb.22 (GMM) Haas got a rude welcome to formula one as testing began on Monday. On the unlucky 13th lap of the American team’s new F1 adventure, the front nose of the car driven by Romain Grosjean catastrophically failed at 320kph. “Suddenly the front of the car went up in the air,” the Frenchman is […]
Correspondent disappointed with 2016 Williams
Feb.22 (GMM) Livio Oricchio, a leading F1 correspondent, has admitted to some disappointment at the sight of Williams’ new car for 2016. While Ferrari is taking an obviously bold step in its bid to beat Mercedes this year with an innovative car, Williams’ FW38 looks almost identical to its predecessor. That is despite the fact […]
Ecclestone son-in-law faces jail
Feb.22 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone’s son-in-law is facing up to seven years in jail, according to reports in Britain. The Sun newspaper said the F1 supremo’s daughter Tamara, who is married to former trader Jay Rutland, is “sick with worry” after her 34-year-old husband was arrested, charged and bailed. He faces a London court next month. […]