Jul.3 (GMM) Max Verstappen agrees with his boss that the 2015 Toro Rosso is one of the very best cars on the grid. The STR10’s designer James Key said recently that “With a Mercedes engine we would be at the front”. And it is not only those in the Faenza based camp who are saying […]
Hulkenberg has ‘chance’ of Ferrari seat – Berger
Jul.2 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen’s exit from Ferrari and formula one is all but “sealed”, the influential Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport claims. “Only a sensational breakthrough can avert his farewell” now, claimed correspondent Luigi Perna ahead of the British grand prix. That is despite the fact that, as the results of the Grand Prix […]
Imola bid also gaining regional support
Jul.2 (GMM) Imola’s bid to return to the F1 calendar is also gaining regional support. Earlier, the president of the Lombardy region, Roberto Maroni, made clear he is campaigning to safeguard endangered Monza’s place on the calendar. “The right way is to apply pressure, involving public opinion, the Italian government and Ferrari,” he said. But […]
‘Arrogant’ McLaren management ‘a mess’ – Jordan
Jul.2 (GMM) McLaren’s “arrogance” is holding the once-great team back. That is the controversial claim of former F1 team owner and boss Eddie Jordan, as he rubbished Ron Dennis’ message about all being well at Woking. As team figures including boss Eric Boullier and driver Jenson Button warn that the current troubles could soon carry […]
Nasr hoping for braking problems fix
Jul.2 (GMM) Felipe Nasr is still calling on Sauber to solve his persistent braking issue. Brazil’s Globo said the rookie, although a standout performer earlier in 2015, has struggled with his brakes first in Canada and then again in Austria. “The question of feeling more confident on the brakes was resolved in Austria,” Nasr said, […]
Internet is key to F1’s next generation
Jul.2 (GMM) A debate is raging among F1 insiders as to whether the pinnacle of motor sport is being left behind in the internet age. It has emerged that the average age of those who participated in the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association fan survey was 37, and “more than half” don’t even watch the races […]
Verstappen eyes Le Mans with father
Jul.2 (GMM) Max Verstappen could be the next F1 driver heading to Le Mans. Nico Hulkenberg breathed new life into his career by winning the fabled endurance race at the first attempt. And now 17-year-old Verstappen, despite his age and his rookie status in F1, is also casting eyes at Le Mans. That could be […]
Rosberg keeping focus in Hamilton title fight
Jul.2 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton may be in the “public eye”, but Nico Rosberg has vowed to keep his eye on the world championship. Bernie Ecclestone said recently Rosberg is “not good for business”. “I took that with a pinch of salt,” said the German ahead of the British grand prix. “He was comparing me with […]
Hamilton hits out at F1 ‘kids’
Jul.2 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has hit out at the lack of “gentlemen” on a grid increasingly full of “kids”. “There are too many kids in the sport now,” the reigning world champion told Germany’s Sport Bild. He is obviously referring to the trend for younger and younger race drivers, like 17-year-old Max Verstappen, as he […]
Formula E ‘too slow’ to be F1 rival
Jul.1 (GMM) Two motor racing figures have dismissed a controversial claim that Formula E is set to take F1’s place as the pinnacle of the sport. Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson, once with a F1 team but now in the all-electric single seater series, claimed at the London finale last weekend that Formula E would “take […]
Friday drive for Leimer still unclear
Jul.1 (GMM) Just two days before his engine would fire, Fabio Leimer still does not know if he will drive at Silverstone. After his hopes of making his Friday practice debut for Manor were dashed in Austria, the Swiss told France’s L’Equipe: “For now, it seems that I will do the first free practice at […]
F1 ‘still beyond my reach’ – Kubica
Jul.1 (GMM) Robert Kubica has admitted that racing in formula one remains “beyond my reach” at present. The now 30-year-old Pole has been conspicuously absent from the grid since 2011, when in the pre-season he had an horror accident whilst contesting a rally. Today, he is a World Rally driver but to date has been […]
F1 crisis needs ‘quick solution’ – Arrivabene
Jul.1 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene says F1 is seeking “the solution” to its current crisis. When asked by France’s Auto Hebdo about the increasingly disaffected audience, the Ferrari chief answered: “Obviously we are going through a difficult moment. “Everyone has acknowledged that. There are discussions at all levels and everyone agrees that the solution must be […]
Qatar still pushing for F1 race
Jul.1 (GMM) Qatar is still pushing hard for a formula one race. That is despite the fact F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is for now honouring an agreement he made with Bahrain to keep that race exclusive in the Middle East. “We asked them (Bahrain) about Abu Dhabi and they agreed but they said a third […]
Mosley invited to Strategy Group meeting
Jul.1 (GMM) Max Mosley was invited to Wednesday’s key meeting of the Strategy Group in London, The Times newspaper reports. But the former FIA president “refused, believing that his presence would cause ructions,” according to correspondent Kevin Eason. One reason for that is because the meeting will also be attended by Mosley’s successor Jean Todt, […]
Vettel involved lawyers over ‘Multi-21’ – Webber
Jul.1 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel threatened to sue Red Bull over the ‘Multi-21’ affair of 2013. That is the explosive revelation in Mark Webber’s newly-published autobiography Aussie Grit. The Australian this week revealed that the tension between himself and former Red Bull teammate Vettel was so great after the team orders affair of Malaysia that it […]
Now Russia wants own F1 team
Jul.1 (GMM) If Azerbaijan is pushing towards the formula one grid, then so too should Russia. That is the view of Igor Ermilin, the presidential advisor of the Russian Automobile Federation. His comments follow reports Azerbaijan, a former Soviet state, is considering starting a F1 team or at least sponsoring one as it joins the […]
Hamilton must be better loser – Hill
Jul.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton must find a way to cope with losing. That is the view of 1996 world champion Damon Hill, who also warned the Mercedes driver to strike a better balance between his professional and private lives. Hill told Germany’s Kolner Express tabloid that Hamilton, the 2015 championship leader and reigning world champion, […]
Bottas to wear red if Raikkonen leaves
Jul.1 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has been singled out as the ideal replacement should his countryman Kimi Raikkonen depart Ferrari. Multiple Italian media sources agree that, notwithstanding speculation Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg are also in the running, it is Williams’ Bottas who is first in line in the event fellow Finn Raikkonen is ousted. On […]
Burti tips Hamilton to beat Rosberg
Jul.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is the clear favourite to win the 2015 title. That is the claim of former F1 driver turned Brazilian commentator Luciano Burti, even though Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg has found his form at recent races. 40-year-old Burti, who raced for Jaguar and Prost early last decade, told Globo: “Hamilton has […]