Jun.29 (GMM) More bidders have reportedly joined the race to buy formula one. Last week, it emerged that the sport’s controlling shareholder, CVC, as well as Bernie Ecclestone could sell their respective stakes to a consortium involving Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and Qatar’s sports investment arm. But F1 supremo Ecclestone hinted that they might […]
F1 drops Jerez as 2016 test venue
Jun.29 (GMM) F1 has reportedly dumped Jerez as a winter test location for 2016. Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport claims that, to cut costs, the sport has decided to reduce its official pre-season programme from three to just two four-day tests. It means the traditional first test at Jerez in February has been dropped, leaving […]
Leimer expects Friday drive at Silverstone
Jun.29 (GMM) Fabio Leimer is expecting to make his Friday practice debut for Manor this week. The backmarker’s new reserve driver wanted to drive in the opening practice session in Austria, but it is reported he did not conclude his sponsorship arrangements in time. While at the Red Bull Ring, however, the Swiss and 2013 […]
Renault not ruling out quitting F1
Jun.29 (GMM) Renault has still not ruled out quitting formula one altogether. On a visit to the Formula E race in London at the weekend, the French carmaker’s CEO Carlos Ghosn said the only certainty is that Renault is fully committed to the all-electric series. As for F1, it depends entirely on Renault’s “return on […]
F1 ‘not interesting’ for VW brands – Winterkorn
Jun.29 (GMM) Martin Winterkorn has dealt a blow to those hoping a Volkswagen brand will enter F1 in the near future. Persistent speculation has linked Audi and Porsche, who both already compete at Le Mans, with a potential formula one foray. But Winterkorn, chairman of the parent VW Group, said of F1: “This is not […]
Vettel wants Raikkonen to keep Ferrari seat
Jun.29 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has thrown has voice behind Kimi Raikkonen’s bid to keep his seat at Ferrari. The pair united as friends at the fabled Italian team in 2015, but while German Vettel has become the star driver, Finn Raikkonen is still struggling to regain his form of old. So the candidates to replace […]
FIA clears top teams over oil concerns
Jun.29 (GMM) The FIA has cleared top teams Mercedes and Ferrari following concerns about the teams’ respective oil systems. Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed samples were taken from the cars raced by Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel in Canada. “A detailed analysis of the viscosity and texture of the samples showed no abnormalities”, said […]
‘Red Bull to decide future before summer break’
Jun.29 (GMM) Red Bull has not ruled out quitting formula one. That is the warning of the energy drink company’s Dr Helmut Marko, after mogul Dietrich Mateschitz issued the threat at his own Austrian grand prix recently. “The decision will be made before the summer break,” Speed Week now quotes Marko as saying. It had […]
Button says Honda ‘committed’ to F1
Jun.29 (GMM) Jenson Button says Honda is “committed” to McLaren and formula one. The nightmarish extent of the Japanese carmaker’s return to F1 this year was unexpected, but McLaren driver Button says Honda remains focused on the project. “Honda are massively committed,” said the 2009 world champion. That is despite the fact the Honda Motor […]
‘Ferrari should threaten to quit over Monza exit’
Jun.29 (GMM) Ferrari should threaten to quit F1 in order to save the embattled Italian grand prix. That is the view of the regional Lombardy president Roberto Maroni, as the uncertainty over Monza’s annual place on the calendar continues for now. He is quoted by Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport: “(Bernie) Ecclestone must realise that […]
Rosberg working to keep up top form
Jun.29 (GMM) Nico Rosberg is charging to maintain his fresh run of top form. After winning in Austria, the German quickly returned to the wheel of the Mercedes in the post-race test at the same Red Bull Ring. Derek Warwick, president of the Silverstone owner the British Racing Drivers’ Club, told Sky he cannot understand […]
Arrivabene comments on Monza, Raikkonen rumours
Jun.26 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene has thrown Ferrari’s voice behind the plight of Monza. In recent days, it has been said the historic Autodromo’s best chance of hanging onto the Italian grand prix might be to annually alternate with another venue, like Imola. And it is quietly rumoured that Ferrari would not mind if its own […]
Ecclestone backs Horner to survive rumours
Jun.26 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has thrown his weight behind Red Bull’s embattled chief Christian Horner. Briton Horner, as well as team official Dr Helmut Marko, have this week been moved to rubbish speculation that Horner, 41, faces expulsion at the hands of Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz. “I spoke to Dietrich at length in Austria,” […]
Ecclestone doubts Fitzpatrick will fund Manor
Jun.26 (GMM) Almost halfway through 2015, Manor may not be out of the woods yet. At the end of the ‘Marussia’ chapter, the team was so close to collapse that its Banbury factory was sold to the new 2016 entrant, Haas. At the eleventh hour, however, a saviour emerged in the form of Stephen Fitzpatrick, […]
Bottas not ruling out staying at Williams
Jun.26 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas is not ruling out staying with Williams in 2016. His comments come amid swirling speculation about the highly-rated young Finn’ future, with Germany’s Bild reporting this week that Ferrari is already beginning to wave its chequebook. Asked by Sport Bild correspondent Bianca Garloff if he feels ‘strong enough’ to take on […]
Ecclestone says he and Todt could impose change
Jun.26 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says he could step in now and fix formula one’s problems, so long as FIA president Jean Todt is also on board. As the sport’s apparent crisis deepens, played out daily in the form of never-ending negative headlines, some are even now calling for F1 supremo Ecclestone’s scalp. “I think he’s […]
Racers cautious ahead of ‘B’ Force India debut
Jun.26 (GMM) Force India’s race regulars are playing down expectations ahead of the long-awaited ‘B’ car’s debut at Silverstone. Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez have been impatiently waiting for the upgraded car all season so far, after the team’s troubled winter left them at the wheel of the compromised 2015 machine. Armed with the Mercedes […]
Rosberg can beat Hamilton to title – Coulthard
Jun.25 (GMM) Nico Rosberg is right back in the running for the 2015 title. That is the view of former F1 driver turned broadcaster David Coulthard, following the German driver’s emphatic win in Austria. “I did not doubt for one second that Nico can beat Lewis (Hamilton),” he told Sport Bild. Hamilton, the reigning world […]
2015 struggle might hurt 2016 ‘soon’ – Boullier
Jun.25 (GMM) McLaren-Honda’s continuing struggles might soon begin to also affect the 2016 campaign. That is the blunt admission of Eric Boullier, following yet another disastrous weekend for the new Anglo-Japanese collaboration in Austria. “I would not say that our difficulties have already impacted the coming season,” he is quoted in international media reports including […]
Takeover could ‘make things happen’ in F1
Jun.25 (GMM) Amid an intense period of turmoil and introspection in F1, the debate this week has turned to whether an American billionaire can save the sport. The latest alarming quote has come from Martin Whitmarsh, the former long-time McLaren chief who thinks the pinnacle of motor sport will “crash and burn”. But Mario Andretti, […]