Jul.29 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone thinks F1 is too democratic. “The trouble is that formula one today is too much of a democracy. And I’m a little bit against democracy,” the sport’s so-called ‘supremo’ told the Spanish F1 broadcaster Movistar. For years, the now 84-year-old Briton ruled formula one hand-in-hand with the similarly autocratic Max Mosley. […]
Singapore tweaks set to boost overtaking
Jul.29 (GMM) A tweak to the layout of Singapore’s F1 street circuit could boost overtaking. That is the view of track engineer Jonathan Giesecke, who has overseen the tweak that was made due to city enhancements in the area around turns 11 to 13 of the highly-popular F1 night race layout. The local Channel Newsasia […]
Renault close to deciding F1 future – Ecclestone
Jul.29 (GMM) Among Renault’s top brass, it is decision time. That is the claim of the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, reporting that CEO Carlos Ghosn, Alain Prost and Cyril Abiteboul all met in Paris on Tuesday. “Renault are close to a decision,” said F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. “Formula one is still good for […]
Russia GP promoter buoyed by Kvyat podium
Jul.28 (GMM) The promoter of the Russian grand prix is hoping Daniil Kvyat can challenge for victory at Sochi later this year. Earlier in July, reports circulated that the Sochi race this year could collapse as organisers hold out for a 64 million euro government bailout amid a deep economic crisis. But race promoter Sergey […]
Mercedes ‘still strongest’ despite Vettel win – Ferrari
Jul.28 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen may have moved a step closer to keeping his Ferrari race seat for 2016. Corriere dello Sport, however, stands by its earlier report that Ferrari’s contract buyout deal with Williams to secure Valtteri Bottas’ services is already done. For his part, Finn Bottas is glad the summer break has arrived. “I […]
Mercedes worried about bad race starts
Jul.28 (GMM) Mercedes is worried a developing problem with its race starts could begin to dent the team’s cruise to the 2015 world championships. At Silverstone, a poor getaway for the German team allowed Williams to fight for victory, and now in Hungary the issue resurfaced and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel went on to win. Team […]
Red Bull teams eye Mercedes, Honda power for 2016 – report
Jul.28 (GMM) Red Bull is not expecting its surge in form to stay on track beyond the Hungarian grand prix. Amid an uncompetitive season so far for the former champions, both Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo were on the podium at the twisty Hungaroring track. But Dr Helmut Marko said: “Sadly it will not be […]
Italian PM invited to fight for Monza
Jul.28 (GMM) The Italian prime minister could add more muscle to Monza’s fight to retain its historic formula one race. With Bernie Ecclestone and race organisers at a stalemate in their negotiations for a new contract, it has emerged that the local Confidustria (industry group) and the Lombardy region are campaigning for Monza. And now […]
Force India denies trading safety for speed
Jul.28 (GMM) Force India has denied compromising safety in the close fight for fifth in this year’s constructors’ world championship. At present, the Silverstone team holds the coveted fifth place, but only by mere points ahead of Lotus and Toro Rosso. Force India introduced a more competitive ‘B spec’ car at Silverstone recently, but in […]
Sainz plays down favouritism ‘controversy’
Jul.28 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has played down his anger with Toro Rosso, after making comments suggesting the team may be favouring Max Verstappen. The Spanish rookie admitted he was “angry” with the Red Bull junior team after Hungary, as Verstappen was called in first for pitstop service even though it was Sainz who was ahead […]
Force India eyes curbs after ‘B’ car failures
Jul.27 (GMM) Fingers were being pointed at the Hungaroring’s curbs after Force India suffered a second failure of the weekend with its new ‘B’-spec car. The Silverstone based team was buoyed by the early promise of the heavily modified machine, until Sergio Perez suffered his spectacular roll-over shunt in Friday practice. As a precaution, teammate […]
‘Angry’ Arrivabene ducks Kimi questions again
Jul.27 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene has denied he will now spend the summer break thinking about Kimi Raikkonen’s future. “It’s called the summer break because it’s a break,” the Italian declared, after another race weekend full of speculation about Ferrari’s 2016 lineup. Some believe Hungary was Finn Raikkonen’s last chance to prove to his Ferrari boss […]
Sainz admits anger with Toro Rosso
Jul.27 (GMM) Carlos Sainz admitted he was angry with his team after Sunday’s Hungarian grand prix. Spanish media reports say the 20-year-old was running ahead of his high-profile teammate Max Verstappen when the Dutchman was given the preferential pitstop strategy. “I’m angry because I was doing a very good race,” he was quoted by Marca […]
F1 critics ‘look stupid’ after Hungary thriller – Lauda
Jul.27 (GMM) “Whoever said formula one is boring looks stupid now,” declared F1 legend Niki Lauda after a thrilling Hungarian grand prix. Sunday marked the end to Mercedes’ impressive and – to some – tedious run of dominance, as it was the first race in the new ‘power unit’ era not featuring a set of […]
Ecclestone denies Ferrari in TV ‘boycott’
Jul.27 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone and Ferrari have denied wild claims the television broadcast of Sunday’s Hungarian grand prix amounted to a ‘boycott’ of the fabled Italian team. The accusation was made by Gianfranco Mazzoni, a commentator for Italian television Rai, who suggested that the Ecclestone-controlled Formula One Management had arranged that images of Sebastian Vettel […]
Renault racing towards future without Red Bull
Jul.27 (GMM) Renault appears to be charging towards a future without Red Bull. With the French carmaker’s next move a hot topic in the Hungaroring paddock, boss Cyril Abiteboul fired a barb at its ever-complaining team partner. “When we read that Red Bull loses money with Renault, that (comment) is completely unacceptable,” he told RMC […]
Button future ‘not priority now’ – Boullier
Jul.27 (GMM) Jenson Button looks set to be retained by McLaren-Honda in 2016. Recently, when team supremo Ron Dennis was asked about the 2009 world champion’s future, he answered: “Jenson Button has a two-year contract with McLaren. “We are not even thinking about drivers at the moment.” While some took that to mean he is […]
Hungary ‘ideal’ for Red Bull – Massa
Jul.26 (GMM) Hungary might be a one-off for the much more competitive Red Bull team. That is the claim of Felipe Massa, who had gone into this weekend warning that the tight and twisty Hungaroring might not suit Williams’ FW37 car. On the other hand, the lack of straights makes it ideal for teams with […]
Teams concerned about 21-race calendar
Jul.26 (GMM) Team bosses are concerned about F1’s plans for an unprecedented 21 grands prix next year. Earlier, it was believed the sport had set an upper acceptable limit of 20 races per season. So when asked about the Bernie Ecclestone-penned, 21-date provisional 2016 schedule now rubber-stamped by the FIA, Lotus driver Romain Grosjean grinned: […]
New car would put Manor ‘closer’ to McLaren – Merhi
Jul.26 (GMM) Manor might have points on the board if it was powered by an up-to-date engine. That is the view of Spanish team driver Roberto Merhi, as he hailed his half-second qualifying advantage over teammate Will Stevens in Hungary. Earlier, it was suggested Merhi might be on the verge of losing his race seat, […]