Oct.5 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone insists he is not worried F1 could be left with a diminished grid for the start of the 2016 season next March. Currently, following the collapse of Caterham last year, 10 teams make up a 20-car grid. But amid its talks with Renault, Enstone based Lotus is struggling financially, while Red […]
Andretti warns F1 against revolution
Oct.5 (GMM) Mario Andretti has warned formula one against going overboard as it looks to the future. After an intense period of recent soul-searching, the sport collectively agreed to turn a sharp corner for 2017 by speeding up and improving the look of the cars. Amid all the criticism, however, family patriarch and 1978 world […]
TV must not be F1’s only platform – Zetsche
Oct.5 (GMM) Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has called on formula one to up its game in the 21st century. Currently dominating the sport with its Mercedes team, Zetsche says the German giant is experiencing “enormous growth” in the realm of the internet. “In contrast,” he told the publication Deutsche Unternehmerborse, “television is struggling in its […]
‘Samurai’ Alonso will not take sabbatical – Sainz
Oct.5 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he can be misunderstood by the public. Indeed, the latest rumours about the Spaniard arose after the Japanese grand prix, where he was rebuked by McLaren-Honda boss Ron Dennis for likening the “embarrassing” Honda power unit to a “GP2 engine”. Some sections of the media now believe a sabbatical in […]
Sainz hopes Red Bull engine crisis over ‘soon’
Oct.2 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has admitted to some nervousness about Red Bull’s F1 crisis. The energy drink company has threatened to pull both of its teams out of the sport because, as things stand, it cannot find a competitive alternative to its underpowered Renault engines. That is despite the fact that Red Bull Racing and […]
Michelin still in running for 2017 deal – reports
Oct.2 (GMM) Michelin is reportedly back in the running to become F1’s sole tyre supplier from 2017. It is already known that the French marque, like the sport’s current partner Pirelli, has been approved by the FIA and forwarded to Bernie Ecclestone for negotiations about the new deal. But it was strongly believed that the […]
Jorda admits Lotus test on back-burner for now
Oct.2 (GMM) Carmen Jorda has admitted her “dream” of actually driving a formula one car has been put on the back-burner for now. Amid some controversy about the former GP3 driver’s credentials, the 27-year-old Spaniard was signed this year by Lotus as development driver, and has been travelling the calendar with the Enstone team. It […]
Haas caught off-guard by early season start
Oct.2 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone’s re-jigged calendar for 2016 is ruffling a few feathers this week. At the World Motor Sport Council in Paris, the F1 supremo’s amended 21-race calendar – with the Melbourne opener now two weeks earlier than planned – was rubber-stamped on Wednesday. It means the winter testing season now also needs to […]
Button now eyeing F1 deal for ‘exciting’ 2017
Oct.2 (GMM) Jenson Button might not be ready to retire even after the 2016 season. In the past few weeks, the 35-year-old has made no secret of his deliberations about the future amid an apparent contractual dispute with McLaren. But now with his full pay-rise promised, 2009 world champion Button has indicated he might also […]
Alguersuari quits motor racing for music career
Oct.2 (GMM) Former F1 driver Jaime Alguersuari has retired from motor racing at the age of 25. In August, the ex-Toro Rosso racer had to step out of his Formula E cockpit following a fainting episode after the Moscow round, with his licence suspended by the FIA pending medical tests. “Recently we learned the results,” […]
Calmer waters for McLaren after Suzuka turmoil
Oct.1 (GMM) McLaren has raced into calmer waters in the wake of the team’s tumultuous weekend in Japan. At Suzuka, the Honda-powered team was in obvious turmoil, as frustrated drivers Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso hinted they were on the verge of quitting. Spaniard Alonso, however, moved to repair the damage of his radio outbursts, […]
Button staying at McLaren, no mention of Alonso
Oct.1 (GMM) McLaren has ended speculation about Jenson Button’s future by announcing on Thursday that the Briton is staying at the Honda-powered team in 2016. The rumours were so intense ahead of the Japanese grand prix last weekend that international reporters were surprised when, at the FIA press conference, the popular 35-year-old did not announce […]
Dennis admits he tried Button pay-cut
Oct.1 (GMM) Jenson Button will next year earn the full $18 million promised to him in his existing contract. The pay dispute between the 2009 world champion – who was contractually guaranteed a $6 million pay-rise ahead of the second year of the deal – and team supremo Ron Dennis was reportedly central to Button’s […]
Wolff impressed by Ferrari resurgence
Oct.1 (GMM) Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says he is taking Ferrari seriously as the Italian team continues its resurgence in 2015. While Sebastian Vettel won dominantly in Singapore, Mercedes successfully ended its brief slump last weekend at Suzuka with a one-two. Still, German Vettel is not giving up the fight for the championship, even […]
F1 turns up volume, no Le Mans for Hulkenberg
Oct.1 (GMM) F1 has introduced a new technical rule that should turn up the volume for 2016. Ever since the new ‘power unit’ era dawned, some have praised the high technology on the one hand whilst lamenting the loss of the sport’s screaming sound on the other. “I think the power unit, well, it is […]
Putin approves night race switch for Sochi
Oct.1 (GMM) Vladimir Putin has given his approval to the switch to floodlights for the Russian grand prix at Sochi. In August, promoter Sergei Vorobyov travelled to Spa for talks with Bernie Ecclestone, with both the Russian and the F1 supremo declaring that the potential switch to a night race for 2017 is on track. […]
Manor’s Mercedes deal hints at Lotus takeover
Oct.1 (GMM) Mercedes on Thursday confirmed speculation the British backmarker Manor will use the German marque’s ‘power unit’ from 2016. A statement said Manor, currently powered by a year-old Ferrari unit, has now entered a “multi-year supply agreement” with Mercedes. “Under the agreement, Manor Marussia F1 Team will be supplied with current-year power units throughout […]
Melbourne confirms new date for 2016 season opener
Sep.30 (GMM) Organisers of the Australian grand prix have confirmed reports that the 2016 season will kick off earlier than originally planned. Earlier, we reported that despite Melbourne already selling tickets for an early April season opener next year, Bernie Ecclestone has re-shaped the provisional calendar to reinstate a full four-week mid-season summer break. “We’ll […]
Ecclestone not worried about ‘strange’ European complaint
Sep.30 (GMM) Force India, Sauber and the European Commission have all confirmed reports a formal complaint about formula one has been lodged and received. In their complaint, we can reveal that the two midfield teams say the current income distribution model and rule-making strategy group are both “unlawful and unfair”. They say that, unlike the […]
Ecclestone said Mercedes blackout ‘over the top’ – Lauda
Sep.30 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has admitted at least twice now that the Mercedes blackout during Sunday’s television coverage of the Japanese grand prix was wrong. The silver cars finished first and second at Suzuka, but featured on the Ecclestone-controlled ‘world feed’ for only 5 of the broadcasted 90 minutes. F1 supremo Ecclestone denied he ordered […]