May 28 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says he is open to working with a new race promoter if it saves the embattled Italian grand prix. With the F1 supremo warning that Monza must pay more to stay on the calendar beyond 2016, Italian automobile club chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani and Ivan Capelli, representing the promoter Sias, […]
Hamilton saga ‘cannot be undone’ – Hakkinen
May 28 (GMM) Mika Hakkinen has tipped Lewis Hamilton to bounce back from the Monaco grand prix. Regarding the basic strategy error that cost the world champion a sure victory on the fabled streets, Hakkinen said: “It was a mistake that nobody can change now. “There are now certainly a few meek colleagues who will […]
Deadline on Lotus-Renault buyout deal looming
May 28 (GMM) International media sources believe Lotus is on the cusp of being sold. Just two weeks ago, amid rumours the Enstone team was in talks with its former owner Renault, Lotus chief Matthew Carter declared: “My shareholders have said quite specifically the team isn’t for sale”. But the speculation did not stop. It […]
FIA not banning alcohol advertising in F1 – Todt
May 28 (GMM) Jean Todt has ruled out banning alcohol sponsorship in formula one. During the Monaco grand prix weekend, a European alcohol policy group called Eurocare said the amount of alcohol-related exposure in the sport is “extreme”. “We now urge the involved bodies in F1 to move away from alcohol sponsorship,” the group declared. […]
New Barcelona mayor says F1 funding ‘not priority’
May 28 (GMM) The Spanish grand prix might be losing the backing of the city of Barcelona. At the Circuit de Catalunya’s latest F1 race earlier this month, it was announced that the Spanish grand prix contract has been extended through 2017, 2018 and 2019. But on Sunday, while F1 cars raced around Monaco, the […]
De Villota investigation ‘unfortunate’ – father
May 28 (GMM) Maria de Villota’s father has expressed disappointment with the way an investigation into a 2012 crash was concluded. Britain’s Health and Safety Executive this week announced that “no enforcement action is being taken” against the former Marussia team regarding de Villota’s horror crash into a truck loading ramp whilst aerodynamic testing at […]
FIA clamping down hard in 2015
May 28 (GMM) The FIA is pushing hard for its regulations to be fully respected by F1 teams in 2015. With the governing body having already clamped down in the area of fuel flow, Auto Motor und Sport reports that the FIA is now targeting engine upgrades that are being introduced for supposedly ‘reliability’-based reasons. […]
F1 has turned up the volume in 2015 – Lauda
May 27 (GMM) Niki Lauda thinks F1 has turned up the volume in 2015. “Look at last year,” the Mercedes team chairman told the British broadcaster Sky in Monaco. “The noise has increased, no question, so I think we’re going in the right direction. “The only one that is still a little less loud is […]
McLaren-Honda planning big mid-season upgrades
May 27 (GMM) McLaren is preparing a big upgrade package for June’s Austrian grand prix. After only missing points in Monaco due to another reliability problem, Fernando Alonso said he is expecting the Honda-powered team to struggle on the long straights of Canada next weekend. But he told Spanish reporters: “We have a very aggressive […]
New Sauber drivers have better attitude – boss
May 27 (GMM) Monisha Kaltenborn has fired a shot at Sauber’s former race drivers. For 2015, the Swiss team dispensed with its 2014 lineup of Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutierrez, instead signing Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson. Nasr and Ericsson have been described as ‘pay drivers’ who are now helping to finance the struggling Hinwil […]
Ferrari already looking ahead to 2016
May 27 (GMM) Ferrari might already be looking ahead to 2016. Although the Italian team has taken a big step forward this year, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims boss Maurizio Arrivabene could now have acknowledged that the potential of the current SF15-T car is limited. “We were unable to change everything in three months,” he […]
Hakkinen defends Verstappen after Monaco crash
May 27 (GMM) Mika Hakkinen has leapt to Max Verstappen’s defence after his high-speed crash at Monaco. Critics blasted teenager Verstappen’s young age and inexperience after the frightening Ste Devote crash, and the FIA issued a five-place grid demotion for Canada and added two penalty points to his super licence. 17-year-old Verstappen, however, claimed on […]
Wolff sure Hamilton will trust Mercedes again
May 27 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is not at Brackley this week as Mercedes tackles the bungled mess of the Briton’s Monaco grand prix. The reigning world champion was dominant all weekend in the Principality, but is now having to get over the anger and disappointment of not winning by relaxing on a luxury yacht. Hamilton […]
Capelli says Ecclestone wants Monza to stay
May 27 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone wants the Italian grand prix to stay on the calendar. That is the claim of Ivan Capelli, a former F1 driver who now represents the organisers of the historic and endangered Monza race. Capelli travelled to Monaco last weekend for key meetings with Bernie Ecclestone, but some reports suggested he […]
De Villota’s family considering legal action
May 27 (GMM) Maria de Villota’s family is considering legal action, after the former Marussia team was cleared of wrongdoing in a 2012 crash. Spaniard de Villota died in late 2013, fifteen months after suffering horrific skull and facial injuries whilst conducting straight-line testing at Duxford Aerodrome in the UK. Britain’s Health and Safety Executive […]
Verstappen claims Grosjean ‘brake-tested’ him
May 27 (GMM) Max Verstappen claims he crashed at Monaco on Sunday after being “brake-tested”. The 17-year-old, whose formula one debut in 2015 has been controversial, was punished by the sport’s governing body after crashing at high speed into the barriers at Ste Devote. Verstappen told his official website on Wednesday that he is unhurt. […]
Abiteboul smiling after Monaco boost
May 27 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul left Monaco with a smile on his face. It has been a tough period for Renault’s F1 chief, as he realised the scale of the performance and reliability problems with the 2015 ‘power unit’, and fended off constant criticism from furious partner Red Bull. “I am really thinking about Viry,” […]
Rosberg wants ‘lucky’ wife at every race
May 27 (GMM) Nico Rosberg wants his ‘lucky charm’ at every grand prix as he chases the 2015 title. In Australia, Malaysia, China and Bahrain, Mercedes teammate and reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton had the clear upper hand over Rosberg. But then in Spain, the German broke through with the pole and win. It was […]
Lotus chief denies Verstappen ‘brake tested’
May 27 (GMM) A Lotus boss has denied Max Verstappen’s claim he was “brake-tested” by Romain Grosjean on Sunday. Teenage rookie Verstappen was penalised by the stewards for his huge crash after hitting the rear of Grosjean’s Lotus during the Monaco grand prix. But the young Dutchman on Wednesday told his own website that he […]
Pirelli wary of being ‘out-bid’ for tyre contract
May 26 (GMM) Pirelli is “open” to going to war with a rival tyre manufacturer like Michelin. That is the claim of the Italian company’s chief Marco Tronchetti Provera. On a rare paddock visit in Monaco, he confirmed that Pirelli is applying to keep its role beyond 2016 as the sport’s sole tyre supplier. It […]