Apr.29 (GMM) Fernando Alonso said he is finally back to “100 per cent” fitness, more than a month after his huge crash in Australia. The Spaniard missed Bahrain and returned to action in China, but said in Russia for the fourth round of 2016 that only now is he no longer “taking any pills”. “I […]
GPDA tried to derail 2017 chassis changes
Apr.29 (GMM) The drivers’ representative body, the GPDA, made a bid to derail the new chassis regulations that will be introduced in 2017. Several drivers have argued that speeding up the cars next year by adding downforce is not the right move for F1. “Just like with the new qualifying, you hope the engineers who […]
Political progress ‘a step forward’ for Monza
Apr.29 (GMM) Italy’s automobile club chief has admitted political changes this week could be a “step forward” in Monza’s quest for a new grand prix deal. Reportedly after a running dispute with Bernie Ecclestone, the boss of the circuit operator Sias, Andrea Dell’Orto, stepped down. “We could say it is a step forward,” Angelo Sticchi […]
Vettel confirms Ferrari updates in Sochi
Apr.29 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted Ferrari has taken an engine upgrade to Sochi. “You know more than we do so I don’t need to say anything!” the German joked, when asked by a reporter about Ferrari’s new engine and front wing in Russia. “I think it is quite normal these days that you bring […]
Verstappen denies F1 career in plateau
Apr.29 (GMM) Max Verstappen has denied he is already hitting a plateau, four races into the second season in his otherwise meteoric F1 career. The young Dutchman was asked at Sochi about reports a former world champion had said that after Verstappen burst into F1 last year, he is struggling to make the same impact […]
F1 close to engine agreement for 2017, 2018
Apr.29 (GMM) Contrary to reports elsewhere, it appears F1 is in fact close to agreeing changes to the engine rules for 2017. After the strategy group and F1 Commission meetings early this week, reports suggested progress has not been made because key people were not in London. But a source close to the FIA has […]
Russia GP night race talks still on
Apr.29 (GMM) Talks are still on track for Sochi to switch to a night race format in the future. Last year, it was reported the Russian organisers, supported by president Vladimir Putin, were open to Bernie Ecclestone’s push for a night race by 2017. “The promoter of the Russian grand prix, Sergey Vorobyov, continues to […]
Hulkenberg prefers Red Bull ‘aeroscreen’
Apr.28 (GMM) Red Bull will debut its windshield-style head protection concept on Friday morning at Sochi. The cockpit-mounted solution, resembling an oversized helmet visor, is already fitted to Daniel Ricciardo’s car at the scene of the Russian grand prix. “I am sure it will get a lot of time on television in those couple of […]
Nasr to get new chassis in Russia
Apr.28 (GMM) Felipe Nasr will get the new chassis he so desires for this weekend’s Russian grand prix. The Brazilian has been complaining since the Melbourne season opener about braking instability aboard his Sauber, suspecting a chassis flaw. “We can see in the data that I have a clear deficit in pace,” he said on […]
Palmer plays down Renault ‘pressure’
Apr.28 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer is facing speculation in Russia that he is in danger of being replaced at Renault. Reports say the French works team is considering ousting the Briton, who finished dead last in China, in favour of French charger Esteban Ocon. When asked on Thursday if he is under pressure, Palmer was quoted […]
Kvyat calls Toro Rosso rumours ‘strange’
Apr.28 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat has responded to “strange” rumours that he might need to take a step back to Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso next year. The 22-year-old Russian was declared the official ‘driver of the day’ in China two weeks ago, after his run to the podium and spirited pre-podium spat with Sebastian […]
Pundit predicts Hamilton ‘will come back’
Apr.28 (GMM) Nico Rosberg grinned when asked by a German newspaper if married life and fatherhood has slowed him down. “Apparently not!” the Mercedes driver told Der Tagesspiegel. Indeed, ever since teammate Lewis Hamilton easily wrapped up the 2015 crown, German Rosberg began a six-race winning streak that now sees him looking to further extend […]
No need for meldonium in F1 – Kvyat
Apr.28 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat has dismissed suggestions F1 drivers are at risk of being caught taking meldonium, a newly-banned drug. Over 100 international athletes, mainly Russian, have tested positive for the substance since it was recently prohibited, with tennis star Maria Sharapova claiming she took it for genuine health issues. But it is argued the […]
Drivers to work harder with 2017 cars – Surer
Apr.28 (GMM) Major technical changes to the cars for 2017 will make the drivers work harder. That is the view of former F1 driver turned German television pundit Marc Surer, after London meetings this week continued to pave the road towards wider cars with bigger wings and tyres for next year. It is suggested the […]
Monza takes another step towards new F1 deal
Apr.28 (GMM) Monza may have taken another decisive step towards a new F1 contract, according to multiple media reports in Italy. Autosprint reveals that Andrea Dell’Orto, the president of the fabled Italian circuit’s operator Sias, has stepped down. The report said Dell’Orto had been at odds with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, amid Monza’s troubled negotiations […]
Sochi tweaks track after Sainz crash
Apr.28 (GMM) Race organisers have made changes to the Sochi circuit in the wake of Carlos Sainz’s huge crash a year ago. Recalling his 2015 practice crash in which the Spaniard’s Toro Rosso was buried deep beneath Tec-Pro barriers before he was airlifted to hospital, the 21-year-old said this week: “I’d say (it was) the […]
Massa wants ‘windbags’ to stay united
Apr.28 (GMM) Felipe Massa has urged the F1 drivers to stay “united” amid the push to improve F1. Tension is still brewing between the drivers’ body and Bernie Ecclestone, after the F1 supremo called those critical of the management of the sport “windbags”. Nico Rosberg hit back at Ecclestone’s comment in the now famous group […]
Grosjean not worried about Pirelli test advantage
Apr.28 (GMM) Romain Grosjean on Thursday said it is important that Pirelli will be able to develop better tyres for 2017. The Frenchman was asked if it is a disadvantage that only top teams like Mercedes and Ferrari will help F1’s official supplier develop wider tyres ahead of the radical new rules next year. “In […]
Report reveals Marchionne’s incredible income
Apr.28 (GMM) The highest paid figure in the F1 paddock is not a driver or a team owner. Publishing a list of Italy’s highest paid managers, La Repubblica claims that Sergio Marchionne, the Ferrari and Fiat president, made an incredible EUR 54.5 million in 2015. That is over $60 million, or nearly $170,000 per day. […]
Renault eyes Ocon to replace Palmer – report
Apr.28 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer is reportedly coming under pressure to hang on to his race seat at Renault. Speed Week reports that the British rookie’s so-far pointless 2016 campaign, culminating in him finishing dead last in China, has raised the possibility that the French carmaker could promote its reserve driver Jolyon Palmer. “Some even suggest […]