May 10 (GMM) Nico Rosberg’s “humiliation” is finally over. That is the claim of Mercedes’ always-blunt team chairman Niki Lauda, who had urged the German to urgently find a way to stop Lewis Hamilton’s “extra-terrestrial”-like run of form. “The humiliation of the first races is over,” the F1 legend told RTL television after Saturday in […]
Alonso ‘disillusioned’ but not ‘dark and moody’
May 10 (GMM) Even McLaren’s dark new livery could give the British team a boost. British newspapers report that the switch from chrome to ‘graphite grey’ in Barcelona has resulted in an up to 3kg weight saving for the MP4-30. “Everybody is looking to shave off time in any way you can,” confirmed managing director […]
Mercedes supports fifth engine yet again
May 10 (GMM) Mercedes has changed its position yet again over the ‘fifth engine’ issue. Concerned that too many drivers will easily run through their allocation of four engines and start serving multiple grid penalties, talks about adding another ‘power unit’ took place recently. “There was a certain degree of unanimous agreement amongst the teams […]
Audi can win in F1 with Red Bull – Berger
May 9 GMM) The latest rumours about Audi are now growing by the day. Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo poured on fuel just days ago when he said a “mutual friend” had told him Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz is pushing hard for the Volkswagen brand to enter formula one. And Gerhard Berger, a […]
Sainz disappointed with speed of F1
May 9 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he is disappointed with the speed of modern formula one. The Spanish rookie is the reigning champion of Formula Renault 3.5, and he said after practising in his Toro Rosso on Friday: “I’ve driven faster cars here. “It’s not so nice in the cockpit when you’re going so slowly,” […]
F1 ‘will be happy’ with final calendar – Ecclestone
May 9 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone claims “everyone will be happy” when he finalises the 2016 calendar. However, some drivers are worried about the recent trend, with Germany missing in 2015 and the F1 supremo warning that historic Monza could be next. “Silverstone, Spain, Italy, Germany — they’re the foundations of this sport,” reigning world champion […]
Ferrari picks successor for ousted Rivola
May 9 (GMM) Ferrari has already nominated a replacement for its absent-in-Barcelona sporting director Massimo Rivola. Earlier reports said Rivola, a key figure at the resurgent Maranello team, as well as a logistics manager and chef, had been suspended or dismissed over an unknown matter. For now, team boss Maurizio Arrivabene is shedding no light. […]
Marko urges F1 to act at meeting next week
May 9 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has launched a new stinging attack on the current F1 regulations, urging the sport to act during a crunch meeting next week. Lead Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo struck even more Renault engine trouble in Barcelona practice, meaning the team could not fully evaluate its major new aerodynamic package […]
Lauda says Ferrari now ‘closer’ to Mercedes
May 9 (GMM) Niki Lauda insists Ferrari is continuing to close the gap to championship leaders Mercedes. The resurgent Italian camp arrived in Barcelona with arguably the bigger update package, but Sebastian Vettel said after practice that he is not yet on Mercedes’ pace. “The gap is still there — that is the bad news […]
Barcelona staying on F1 calendar
May 9 (GMM) Barcelona is staying on the F1 calendar. The Circuit de Catalunya, scene of this weekend’s Spanish grand prix, announced that the contract with Bernie Ecclestone has been extended until 2019. “We are extremely proud to announce this renewal in such a special year, marking the 25th anniversary of formula one being hosted […]
Susie Wolff to rethink F1 role after Silverstone
May 9 (GMM) Susie Wolff is expected to rethink her role at Williams after Silverstone. On Friday, the 32-year-old test driver made her opening Friday practice appearance of 2015 for the British team, and she will reprise the role at Silverstone in July. But earlier in 2015, Wolff admitted her disappointment when Williams made clear […]
Wins ‘impossible’ for McLaren in 2015 – Rosberg
May 9 (GMM) Fernando Alonso must be patient for success at McLaren-Honda. That is the claim of Alain Prost, who won three of his four world championships with the British team, including his Honda-powered win in 1989. But the diminutive Frenchman told Spain’s EFE news agency that Alonso cannot expect immediate success. “It is a […]
Ferrari switch ‘no problem’ for Hamilton – Ecclestone
May 9 (GMM) Niki Lauda has admitted there is a “delay” in the finalisation of Lewis Hamilton’s 2016 contract. The comments come amid rumours in the Barcelona paddock that Hamilton, the on-form championship leader and reigning world champion, is seriously considering a switch to the fabled and resurgent Ferrari team. “There is no hitch, there […]
Lotus tension brewing over ‘Friday’ issue
May 9 (GMM) Tension is reportedly brewing between Romain Grosjean and his Lotus teammate Pastor Maldonado. In China and Bahrain, Frenchman Grosjean sat out Friday practice so that team reserve Jolyon Palmer – who reportedly brings EUR 4 million to the team – could drive. Ahead of this weekend’s Spanish grand prix, it emerged that […]
Marciello determined to show potential in 2015
May 9 (GMM) Raffaele Marciello is determined to make his mark in 2015. The Swiss-born Italian is now the cream of Ferrari’s development programme. This weekend in Barcelona, the 20-year-old is splitting his time between a ‘Friday’ practice programme for Sauber and his GP2 racing duties. And next week, he will re-emerge for the post-race […]
Ferrari chief Rivola ‘dismissed’ – reports
May 8 (GMM) Ferrari is without its sporting director Massimo Rivola in Spain this weekend. Italy’s La Repubblica claims he was “removed from his duties” during the three-week break between Bahrain and Barcelona. “Two other team members – the logistics manager and a cook – were suspended,” the newspaper added. Rivola was reportedly close to […]
‘Party animal’ Hamilton vs ‘couch potato’ Rosberg
May 8 (GMM) As far as one German newspaper is concerned, the contrast between Mercedes’ two drivers could not be more stark. In the three-week ‘break’ between Bahrain and Spain, Nico Rosberg stayed with his pregnant wife in their Monaco apartment and made one trip to their second home in Ibiza. Hamilton, on the other […]
Audi admits ‘looking at’ F1 project
May 8 (GMM) Audi appears to have taken a step closer to formula one. Mere days ago, constant rumours that the Volkswagen brand is considering a grand prix foray were given a boost by former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo. “A mutual friend told me that (Red Bull owner Dietrich) Mateschitz is thinking of selling […]
Massa ‘not worried’ about Williams future
May 8 (GMM) Felipe Massa had a simple message as he prepared for the Spanish grand prix — I’m not worried. The paddock rumour mill is whispering loudly about the Ferrari-themed future of his current Williams teammate Valtteri Bottas. Former Ferrari driver Massa, on the other hand, is hoping he will stay at Grove for […]
Alonso not happy as Pirelli ‘goes soft’
May 8 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has criticised Pirelli’s decision to ‘go soft’ for the rest of the 2015 season. The official F1 supplier’s Paul Hembery declared this week that, in an effort to prompt more exciting three-stop strategies, Pirelli will lean towards bringing the softer compound tyres in its range to races from now on. […]