Nov.4 (GMM) The head of Michael Schumacher’s fan club has hit out at Lewis Hamilton for comments about the beleaguered F1 legend. Kolner Express, a German tabloid, has quoted the new triple world champion Hamilton as comparing his achievements with the record seven titles won by Schumacher. “I’ve never done the things that Michael did […]
Susie Wolff quits motor racing
Nov.4 (GMM) Susie Wolff has announced her retirement from motor racing. The 32-year-old from Scotland has been a Williams test driver since 2012, working on the simulator and even becoming the first female in two decades to drive in official practice sessions at grands prix. Former DTM driver Wolff, whose husband is the Mercedes team […]
McLaren reserve Vandoorne also wants to race
Nov.4 (GMM) New GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne will definitely succeed Kevin Magnussen as McLaren reserve driver in 2016, we have learned. The Belgian has already been standing in while Kevin Magnussen, who has been ousted by the British team, recovers from a broken hand. “You saw with Kevin,” former McLaren racer Sergio Perez told the […]
‘Client engine’ makes F1 less interesting – Honda
Nov.4 (GMM) Honda does not like the sound of the FIA’s ‘client engine’ idea for 2017. Although struggling at present, the Japanese carmaker’s F1 chief Yasuhisa Arai said Honda decided to return to the sport with McLaren after a six-year break because of the current turbo V6 ‘power unit’ regulations. But to help teams struggling […]
Montoya, Ricciardo, sympathise with Alonso
Nov.4 (GMM) Two F1 drivers, past and present, have sympathised with the current plight of Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard is acknowledged to be one of the very best and highest paid drivers on the grid, but at present he is languishing down the grid amid what F1 commentator Martin Brundle thinks is now a McLaren-Honda […]
Lauda sides with Rosberg in Mercedes spat
Nov.4 (GMM) Niki Lauda, the F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman, has sided with Nico Rosberg in the wake of his victory in Mexico. Although the German dominated the race weekend and won from pole, teammate and new triple world champion Lewis Hamilton made his feelings clear after he was ordered in for a second […]
Pirelli’s Isola denies Hembery to step down
Nov.4 (GMM) Mario Isola has rejected speculation he is shaping up to take over as the head of Pirelli’s F1 programme. Currently ‘racing manager’ for the Italian marque, Isola is generally regarded as second in charge behind Paul Hembery. But there have been suggestions Hembery could be set for a different role, resulting in the […]
Mateschitz slams rivals’ lack of ‘sportsmanship’
Nov.4 (GMM) Dietrich Mateschitz has accused Red Bull’s powerful rivals of lacking the “courage and sportsmanship” to supply the team with engines in 2016. As he added another “three weeks” to his former end-of-October deadline for the resolution of the engine crisis, the Red Bull mogul explained: “The situation is very simple. “We do not […]
Amid F1 crisis, Ricciardo eyes Nascar race
Nov.3 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo may already be lining up an alternative in the event he is left without a car to race in formula one. Red Bull has declared that if it can find an engine to use next year, Australian Ricciardo and his current teammate Daniil Kvyat “are under contract” for 2016. “Ricciardo’s contract […]
Demise of F1 in Germany ‘a mystery’ – Vettel
Nov.3 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel says the declining interest in formula one of his home nation Germany is “a mystery”. His comments follow the popular return after more than two decades of the grand prix in Mexico City, where a more-than-capacity 134,000 exuberant fans turned the post-race podium celebrations on Sunday into an unprecedented spectacle. “In […]
Red Bull eyes last-ditch plans for 2016
Nov.3 (GMM) Red Bull is reportedly working on a last-ditch plan to remain on the F1 grid for 2016. Boss Christian Horner says the team might be interested in Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA’s plan for a new supplier to enter the sport with a 2.2 litre twin-turbo engine. “If we can’t get a normal […]
Red Bull eyes Todt’s help amid engine crisis
Nov.1 (GMM) Red Bull is now looking to the most powerful man in motor racing to help solve its engine supply crisis. Just as Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz’s self-imposed end-of-October deadline expires, FIA president Jean Todt showed up in Mexico City for an ultra-rare F1 paddock appearance. The Frenchman admitted the fact Red Bull […]
Todt comes out fighting on rare F1 visit
Nov.1 (GMM) On a rare visit to the F1 paddock, Jean Todt admitted he has “concerns” and is working hard on some of the sport’s current issues. Often criticised for his apparently low profile and hands-off style to running the FIA, the Frenchman said the fact Red Bull and Toro Rosso are currently without ‘power […]
Hellmund linked with new US race, F1 team investment
Nov.1 (GMM) An increasingly prominent paddock figure at the last couple of races has been Tavo Hellmund. With close ties to Bernie Ecclestone, the 49-year-old American was the initial driving force behind the project to bring F1 back to the US in Austin. No longer part of the promotional team after an acrimonious split, Hellmund […]
Only mistakes gives Rosberg a chance to win – Hamilton
Nov.1 (GMM) His title chances are over, but Nico Rosberg seems determined to start his fight back against Lewis Hamilton immediately. After the cap-hurling disappointment of Austin just a week ago, the German continued his run of pole positions in Mexico on Saturday. But new triple world champion Hamilton sounded unperturbed, insisting that he is […]
Honda not ruling out Red Bull engine deal
Oct.31 (GMM) Honda has refused to back its works partner McLaren in ruling out a supply of customer Japanese power for ailing Red Bull for 2016. Having now dropped its quit threat, the beleaguered former quadruple world champions, Red Bull, have resorted to almost begging for a ‘power unit’. “Lonely RB12 with a lot to […]
Ferrari defends right to veto engine cost cap
Oct.31 (GMM) Ferrari has defended its decision to ‘veto’ the FIA’s efforts to impose a cap on the price of customer engines in formula one. In the form of an official statement announcing alternative plans for a parallel ‘client’ engine formula for 2017, FIA president Jean Todt referred to the veto that is uniquely wielded […]
Wolff says Manor resignations ‘a blow’
Oct.31 (GMM) Mercedes chiefs will be “curious spectators” as apparent trouble at the British backmarker Manor unfolds. That is what Toto Wolff said after rumours spread around the paddock in Mexico City on Friday that Manor chiefs John Booth and Graeme Lowdon have resigned. The news apparently came as a surprise to the Mercedes team […]
Rosberg to ‘re-think’ approach to racing Hamilton
Oct.31 (GMM) Nico Rosberg has indicated he is ready to make a change in his approach to racing triple world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton. In contrast, Hamilton is riding a wave of confidence and form at present, while some think Rosberg is even being bullied off the track, as in Austin a week ago. Clearly, […]
Pirelli confirms 3 compounds per race in 2016
Oct.31 (GMM) Pirelli will offer three tyre compounds for F1 teams to use at each grand prix from 2016. The news has been a long time coming, but it was finally confirmed by the Italian marque’s Mario Isola ahead of this weekend’s race in Mexico City. To spice up the sport, Pirelli will designate three […]