Aug.18 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted he is no fan of having to save fuel during grands prix. The Ferrari driver, who counts himself among what are regarded as motor racing ‘purists’, told Germany’s Auto Bild that if it was up to him, the regulations would look different. “I am a sportsman,” quadruple world champion […]
McLaren-Honda not expecting big progress at Spa
Aug.18 (GMM) It is not clear how much progress McLaren-Honda will make this weekend in Belgium. While much of the F1 world enjoyed its summer break, struggling engine supplier Honda has been working hard on a much-needed update for its 2015 ‘power unit’. Some reports suggest the revised unit is up to 50 horse power […]
Massa enjoys having 5yo son at races
Aug.18 (GMM) Felipe Massa says he enjoys having the support of his family at grands prix. Lately, the highest-profile youngster in the paddock – Max Verstappen aside – is five-year-old Felipinho. He has thrilled television audiences by following the heels of his lookalike dad around the paddocks of the world, giving mini-interviews during race weekends […]
Wolff says no Red Bull engine talks yet
Aug.18 (GMM) Toto Wolff has put the brakes on runaway speculation about a Mercedes engine deal for Red Bull. Reports in the last days have indicated that the energy drink owned team will almost certainly split with Renault and link up with German power for 2016. But with Red Bull and its existing supplier Renault […]
Clampdown means drivers ‘more dependent on team’ – Verstappen
Aug.18 (GMM) Max Verstappen has delivered a sobering message for those expecting drivers to have more control over their race starts at Spa. The FIA’s clampdown on automated starts guided and perfected by engineers on the radio begins this weekend in Belgium. “We now have to have all the settings for race day ready on […]
Nasr says Ferrari upgrade includes ‘more power’
Aug.18 (GMM) Sauber will finally get its hands on Ferrari’s updated engine this weekend in Belgium. Already improved going into the 2015 season, Ferrari has continued to make progress with its ‘power unit’ this year. But customer Sauber has waited for the upgrade, which will finally be fitted to the C34 at Spa-Francorchamps. “We do […]
Formula 2 on hold until 2017 – report
Aug.17 (GMM) Formula 2 has been put on the back burner for now. Actually, the FIA intended to revive the series for 2016 to be a genuine new step between Formula 3 and F1, with the last iteration having collapsed in 2012. In charge of the project is the former Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali. […]
Mercedes shows green light to Red Bull engine deal
Aug.17 (GMM) Red Bull and Mercedes appear to be closing in on an engine deal. Earlier, a collaboration between the arch-enemies appeared impossible, but Mercedes’ Toto Wolff is no longer ruling it out. “If we think about the long term, we must discuss the pros and cons rather than just wipe the issue from the […]
Button increases security after robbery
Aug.17 (GMM) Jenson Button has stepped up his personal security following a robbery incident whilst on holiday in the south of France recently. The McLaren driver, his wife and three friends were asleep in a rented villa when two men reportedly broke in, perhaps after pumping anaesthetic gas into the air conditioning. A spokesman for […]
Hartstein slams FIA over Bianchi death
Aug.17 (GMM) Former F1 doctor Gary Hartstein has launched an attack on officials of the sport’s governing body following the death of Jules Bianchi. His comments follow hot on the heels of those made by Felipe Massa, who said Bianchi’s death has united the drivers, and Felipe Nasr, who said F1 is still pushing to […]
Haas poised to decide 2016 drivers
Aug.17 (GMM) New F1 team Haas’ first driver lineup could be known within two weeks. Team boss Gunther Steiner on Monday said he has drawn up a list of about 10 potential candidates for the new, Ferrari-linked American team. “It was a good response when we contacted them,” he said. “No one said ‘Hey, this […]
Legal trouble for Lotus co-owner
Aug.17 (GMM) Lotus’ troubles are continuing for now. Amid rumours of financial trouble and a potential buyout by Renault, deputy boss Federico Gastaldi said the Enstone team is braced for a Belgian grand prix weekend full of intrigue and “waffle”. And now the latest piece of bad news has emerged. Andrew Ruhan, a wealthy property […]
Alonso will fight for 2016 title – manager
Aug.17 (GMM) Fernando Alonso will be a title contender in 2016. That is the confident prediction of the Spaniard’s manager Luis Garcia Abad, even though one notable figure does not expect Alonso to ever add a third title to his tally. In a recent interview, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone answered “No” when asked if 34-year-old […]
Mercedes eyes 2016 debut for Wehrlein
Aug.17 (GMM) Pascal Wehrlein could be the next rookie in formula one. The 20-year-old German is not only Mercedes’ star driver in the German touring car series DTM, he is also reserve driver for the title-winning F1 team. Wehrlein has also tested Force India’s car, and is reportedly right at the front of the queue […]
MotoGP racing more exciting than F1 – Lauda
Aug.17 (GMM) F1 legend Niki Lauda attended the Czech Republic’s MotoGP round at the weekend, and admitted he likes what he sees at the pinnacle of two-wheeled racing. “It is very interesting to watch,” he said at the Brno circuit, “because you can see how the rider struggles with his bike. “In F1, unfortunately, the […]
No more new teams in 2016 – FIA
Aug.15 (GMM) No other new teams will join Haas on the 2016 grid. At the end of May, F1’s governing body surprised the media by announcing it is searching for a twelfth team. Given the short preparation time until 2016, speculation immediately turned to Nicolas Todt’s tidy GP2 outfit ART, perhaps as a McLaren-Honda ‘B’ […]
Lotus expects more rumours in Spa paddock
Aug.15 (GMM) Lotus has warned that it will be making no announcements about its future in Belgium next weekend. It is believed Renault is nearing a decision about its own future in formula one, and the leading theory is that the French carmaker will buy Lotus. That would mean the Enstone team switching from Mercedes […]
Red Bull-Mercedes engine deal ‘attractive’ – Wolff
Aug.14 (GMM) Toto Wolff has admitted supplying Red Bull with engines could be “an attractive option” for Mercedes. It is a significant change of tune for the German outfit, having earlier ruled out working with its arch enemy and saying Mercedes is at “full capacity” in terms of being able to supply customer engines to […]
Father says Kvyat’s Red Bull seat not in doubt
Aug.14 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat’s father has played down rumours the young Russian’s future at Red Bull is not safe. Kvyat, 21, struggled earlier in 2015 after graduating from Toro Rosso, but more recently his form has spiked and comments made by team officials Christian Horner and Helmut Marko in recent weeks have been complimentary. But […]
Wolff talks Bottas, race starts and engine tokens
Aug.13 (GMM) Toto Wolff has played down reports Valtteri Bottas is still in the running for a Ferrari race seat. In recent weeks, the young Finn appeared a shoo-in to replace his older countryman Kimi Raikkonen at the fabled Italian team. But Raikkonen has enjoyed a spike in form, just as Ferrari reportedly ruled out […]