May 1 (GMM) Sauber has backed former FIA president Max Mosley’s renewed call for a budget cap in formula one. Earlier this week, ahead of the Strategy Group’s crunch meeting on May 14 about the future, Mosley told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport that teams should revisit the idea of limiting their budgets to $100 […]
Massa intends to stay at Williams
May 1 (GMM) Felipe Massa says he has no plans to leave Williams or formula one at the end of the season. Many believe that, in the wake of his near-fatal 2009 crash, the Brazilian never quite returned to the type of form that almost carried him to the title with Ferrari. Indeed, the 34-year-old […]
Alonso could quit if McLaren-Honda stagnates – Massa
May 1 (GMM) Fernando Alonso might decide to retire rather than keep struggling with McLaren-Honda. That is the claim of the Spaniard’s former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa. Speaking to UOL Esporte, Massa had been asked about Alonso’s move from Ferrari just as the Italian team surged back to the front of the grid. In contrast, […]
Source denies Bottas has signed Ferrari deal
May 1 (GMM) A Finnish media source has hit back at rumours Valtteri Bottas is closing on a switch to Ferrari. Italian sources this week reported that the Williams driver could replace fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari next year, and may even have already signed a pre-agreement. But Oskari Saari, a well-connected commentator for […]
Sauber could struggle after Barcelona – Nasr
May 1 (GMM) Barcelona could be a “turning point” in Sauber’s 2015 campaign, driver Felipe Nasr has admitted. Having struggled financially through 2014 and then fended off Giedo van der Garde’s legal advances in Australia, the Swiss team has surprised so far this season with its pace and results. And Brazilian rookie Nasr, 22, has […]
Alonso also decided against Le Mans – McLaren
May 1 (GMM) The decision to sit out Le Mans this year was also taken by Fernando Alonso himself, McLaren insists. This week, during the three-week lull between grands prix, the media has taken a moment to consider the reasons for the demise of Alonso’s 2015 Le Mans plans. Late last year, it seemed certain […]
Aero boss Fallows says Red Bull can catch up
May 1 (GMM) Aerodynamics chief Dan Fallows thinks Red Bull can catch up despite its obvious engine disadvantage. Although Adrian Newey is known as the sport’s aerodynamic genius, Fallows’ quality was demonstrated last year as Red Bull and McLaren tussled over his services. Now, as Red Bull laments the fact the ‘power unit’ supplied by […]
Current rules ‘killing’ F1 – Warwick
Apr.30 (GMM) Yet another voice has been added to concerns that formula one must change its rules to stop them “killing” the sport. The powerful Strategy Group will meet in May and it is expected the headline agenda item will be a sharp change of direction for F1 in 2017. Smaller teams are struggling to […]
Media ponders reasons for Alonso’s Le Mans absence
Apr.30 (GMM) Last year, it seemed clear that Fernando Alonso would be joining Mark Webber and Nico Hulkenberg in a F1 super-team lineup for Porsche at the 2015 Le Mans 24 hours. The reasons Spaniard Alonso ultimately did not join in have this week been the subject of media speculation. Finland’s Ilta Sanomat claims Alonso, […]
Audi still not eyeing F1 move
Apr.30 (GMM) Audi has once again dismissed suggestions it is poised to enter formula one. Seemingly constant speculation that a Volkswagen Group brand is on the cusp of launching a F1 project was boosted in recent days by the departure of its chief Ferdinand Piech. It is believed Piech had ruled out F1 while Bernie […]
Ecclestone admits condensed 2016 calendar ‘leaked’
Apr.30 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is not denying the accuracy of a “leaked” 2016 race calendar. On Wednesday, organisers of the Australian grand prix triggered the story by announcing that the Melbourne opener next year will be held in early April. It will be the first time in three decades that the season will begin so […]
Bottas, Raikkonen, Wehrlein star as ‘silly season’ begins
Apr.30 (GMM) Rumours in Italy suggest Valtteri Bottas’s formula one future is coloured in red. Former double world champion Mika Hakkinen, now involved in the management of the Williams driver’s career, said this week that if he was the decision-maker at Ferrari, he is not sure he would retain Kimi Raikkonen. On the other hand, […]
Silverstone makes ‘plea’ for better F1 show
Apr.29 (GMM) Silverstone chief Patrick Allen has added his voice to calls for a rules shakeup in formula one. He has told British newspapers that races are too predictable because of the dominance of technology, joking that the winning “technical directors” should stand at the top of the podium rather than the drivers. Allen said […]
Rosberg should ‘start from scratch’ in 2015 – Lauda
Apr.29 (GMM) Nico Rosberg needs to “start from scratch” as he tries to take on teammate Lewis Hamilton in 2015. That is the advice of Mercedes’ team chairman Niki Lauda, who is also one of the most famous names in F1 history. After fighting Hamilton hard throughout 2014, German Rosberg has notably struggled this season […]
2016 season to get late start in April
Apr.29 (GMM) The F1 season will get off to a late start next year. Australian media reports say the Melbourne race, which is guaranteed the opening spot on the sport’s annual calendar, will be held on April 3, 2016. In the past few years, the season-opening Australian grand prix has been held a couple of […]
Red Bull to finally debut ‘short nose’ in Spain
Apr.29 (GMM) Red Bull is tipped to finally debut the so-called ‘short nose’ version of its 2015 car at the forthcoming Spanish grand prix. “The modified car is arguably an RB11 ‘B’,” declared Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo. The former world champions, who have struggled so far in 2015 with both the car and its Renault […]
McLaren to keep same car concept in 2016
Apr.29 (GMM) Next year’s McLaren car will be an “evolution” of the current MP4-30. Last year, the famous British team finished the season just fifth best, despite having clearly the best engine in the field in the form of the Mercedes. Behind the scenes, team boss Eric Boullier now admits, things were just not working. […]
Hamilton ready for Vettel-like title run
Apr.29 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has issued an ominous warning to his rivals. The reigning world champion has won three of the four races so far this season, leaving his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg trailing in his wake. Niki Lauda says the German, Rosberg, needs to hit a metaphorical ‘reset’ now and start his 2015 campaign […]
Alesi concerned by Mick Schumacher ‘media exposure’
Apr.29 (GMM) Former F1 driver Jean Alesi has expressed alarm at the “media exposure” surrounding Michael Schumacher’s 16-year-old son. Mick Schumacher’s step from karting to the German Formula 4 series this year has captured the imagination of the world’s media. But former Ferrari driver Alesi’s 15-year-old son, Giuliano, also made the move into F4 this […]
Alonso move not necessarily a mistake – Gene
Apr.29 (GMM) Ferrari test driver Marc Gene does not agree that Fernando Alonso’s decision to leave the Italian team has been proved definitely wrong. As the famous Spaniard slumped deep into the midfield at McLaren-Honda, while his successor-in-red Sebastian Vettel races into title contention, many observers have concluded that Alonso seriously erred in making the […]