Sep.27 (GMM) Jenson Button has denied F1 legend Niki Lauda’s claim at Suzuka that an argument about money put the cloud of retirement above the 2009 world champion’s head. “I say to Ron (Dennis), ‘Pay him the money!’” former McLaren driver, triple world champion and now Mercedes team chairman Lauda said in Japan. In truth, […]
Vettel ‘better than Schumacher – Arrivabene
Sep.27 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is “better in some ways” even than F1’s most successful driver of all time. That is the claim of Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene, who contrasted Germans Vettel and Schumacher – the long-time Ferrari driver and F1 legend – in the pages of the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. “Many said […]
Alonso joins Button in re-thinking F1 career
Sep.26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has not ruled out quitting formula one in order to chase his dream of winning more championships. Still involved in the Spaniard’s management, Flavio Briatore said this week that “no one imagined” the new McLaren-Honda project would be the “disaster” it has been in 2015. But the flamboyant Italian is sure: […]
Button hints McLaren-Honda success could take too long
Sep.26 (GMM) The time needed for McLaren-Honda to recover and succeed could be the reason Jenson Button has apparently decided to quit formula one. Although the Briton has delayed the announcement for now, it is widely believed that Button is set to call time on his 16-year F1 career. Asked by the Spanish sports daily […]
Hulkenberg says Le Mans deal not done yet
Sep.26 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says his return to defend his Le Mans title next year is not set in stone. Rumoured to be quitting F1, Jenson Button has said that although he may be interested in a future at Le Mans, he would not try to ‘do a Hulkenberg’ and combine the two series. “I […]
McLaren plays down Dennis’ Suzuka absence
Sep.26 (GMM) McLaren insists there is nothing controversial about Ron Dennis’ absence from Suzuka so far this weekend. Amid reports of ‘crisis talks’ having been held at Honda’s Sakura headquarters earlier this week, rumours are now swirling not only about Jenson Button’s future at the struggling team, but also Fernando Alonso’s. “Ron Dennis is in […]
Renault to make announcement next week – Lotus
Sep.26 (GMM) The long wait for clarity over the future of Renault and Lotus in F1 appears to be almost over. F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who is not in Japan, told the Reuters news agency from London on Friday that Renault is “apparently” going to buy the embattled Lotus team. But he also admitted: “It’s […]
Red Bull threats no threat to Verstappen – father
Sep.26 (GMM) Red Bull chiefs were having more meetings with their Ferrari counterparts on Saturday. The talks at Suzuka are amid the very real threat that the energy drink company could pull both of its teams – Red Bull and Toro Rosso – out of the sport after November’s Abu Dhabi grand prix. With Mercedes […]
Prost sure Vettel to beat career victory tally
Sep.26 (GMM) Fellow quadruple world champion Alain Prost has admitted he expects Sebastian Vettel to soon trouble another of his impressive personal records. In Singapore last weekend, Ferrari’s Vettel won his 42nd career victory, moving clear of the late and great Ayrton Senna’s tally of 41. The next target is therefore Frenchman Prost, whose 51 […]
Lauda tells Dennis to ‘pay Button the money!’
Sep.26 (GMM) F1 legend Niki Lauda suggests the uncertainty about Jenson Button’s future is all about money. Until now, it has been rumoured the 35-year-old veteran’s deliberations have been about his lost “joy” amid McLaren-Honda’s struggles, and the realisation that the team’s recovery might take too long. But earlier, a story circulated that McLaren and […]
Berger hints Mercedes deal on table for Red Bull
Sep.26 (GMM) As the uncertainty about Red Bull’s future in F1 races on, Gerhard Berger suggests the team could be back in the running for Mercedes power. It is believed the Daimler board only recently rejected the matter of leaping to Red Bull’s rescue, with the divorce from Renault now just days away. However, with […]
Ferrari, Raikkonen to help Vettel win title – Massa
Sep.25 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he would play a team role in order to help friend and Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel win the world championship. Happy now at Williams, former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa said the interests of the Maranello team has always been greater than the individual. That is why Vettel, and Fernando Alonso […]
Button retirement rumours growing despite delay
Sep.25 (GMM) Even though Jenson Button delayed his expected announcement on Thursday, rumours the McLaren driver is ending his long F1 career are only growing. That speculation has been further fired up by Chris Evans, the new host of the British motoring programme Top Gear. It is rumoured that, if Button ends his 16-year grand […]
2016 title ‘really difficult’ at Williams – Bottas
Sep.25 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has conceded it will be “really difficult” to win next year’s world championship with Williams. Earlier, until the great Italian team re-signed Kimi Raikkonen, the younger Finn was strongly linked with a move to Ferrari for 2016. “It (winning the world championship) is the only thing we’re all here for. It’s […]
VW scandal sends Audi deal ‘up in smoke’ – Horner
Sep.25 (GMM) There was almost as much action going on behind the scenes as there was on a slippery Suzuka circuit on Friday. The big topic is engines — who is going to get what, and who is going to left without a ‘power unit’ to fire. For Lotus, time is clearly running out. Bernie […]
Tost’s Verstappen defence ‘surprised’ Sainz
Sep.25 (GMM) In the wake of Max Verstappen’s defiant refusal to obey team orders in Singapore, teammate Carlos Sainz has hinted he remains unhappy with Toro Rosso. In Singapore, the teenage sensation Verstappen was asked repeatedly to let Sainz past so that with his fresher tyres he could have a shot at passing Sergio Perez. […]
McLaren wants Button to stay – Neale
Sep.25 (GMM) McLaren on Friday declared that it wants to keep Jenson Button on board for 2016. Actually, the world’s media assembled at Suzuka on Thursday expecting the 2009 world champion to declare that his lost “joy” for F1 meant he had decided to call time on his 16-year career. “I get the sense from […]
Alonso may leave F1 to find winning car – Briatore
Sep.25 (GMM) If Fernando Alonso cannot return to having a winning car, he will seek it outside of formula one. That is the stark warning issued by Flavio Briatore, who signed up the Spaniard as a teenager more than 15 years ago and still plays a role in his management. The flamboyant Italian, who was […]
Audi ‘definitely’ welcome in F1 – Wolff
Sep.25 (GMM) Mercedes says it would welcome Audi to formula one. As Red Bull desperately seeks an alternative after splitting with Renault, rumours suggest the Volkswagen Group is now eyeing a project for its Audi brand. The sting in those rumours has been blunted by the international VW diesel emissions scandal, but Mercedes – having […]
Haas schedules driver announcement next week
Sep.25 (GMM) Haas, the new American team for 2016, has scheduled a driver announcement for next week. The Ferrari-linked outfit has invited journalists to its Kannapolis headquarters next Tuesday, where it says a “driver announcement” will take place. It is strongly rumoured that Ferrari reserve Esteban Gutierrez will be one driver, with Romain Grosjean probably […]