Feb.26 (GMM) F1’s governing body has vowed to look into the circumstances surrounding the mysterious crash that hospitalised Fernando Alonso for four days. McLaren initially took 28 hours to issue a statement about last Sunday’s incident, triggering speculation there is more to the story than a “normal” gust of wind. Sebastian Vettel, who was following […]
‘Favourite opponent’ Rosberg ready to beat Hamilton
Feb.26 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says he is determined to beat reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton to the 2015 title. Last year, the utterly dominant Mercedes duo fought a close and intense battle for F1’s biggest prize. “Nico Rosberg has been strengthened by the defeat,” the German driver, referring to himself in the third person, told […]
Renault not ruling out F1 strategy changes
Feb.26 (GMM) Renault has not ruled out making changes to its approach to formula one. Amid rumours of continuing discord with its partner Red Bull, and following the loss of engine partners Lotus and Caterham, it has been rumoured the French manufacturer might be considering running a full Renault-branded works team again. Official Cyril Abiteboul, […]
Alonso not injured but in doubt for Australia – Dennis
Feb.26 (GMM) Two weeks before the 2015 season begins, the participation of McLaren-Honda’s star driver is in doubt. Team supremo Ron Dennis addressed the media in Barcelona on Thursday and admitted it is possible Fernando Alonso will not be in Melbourne. Five days after the Spaniard’s mysterious crash at the circuit last Sunday, Dennis insisted […]
Alonso ‘wanted to test’ in Barcelona – Dennis
Feb.26 (GMM) He was in hospital for four days, and is absent at the final winter test in Barcelona, but Fernando Alonso is “categorically not injured”. That was the insistence on Thursday of McLaren supremo Ron Dennis, who at the Circuit de Catalunya addressed the ranks of international media following the controversy and conspiracy theories […]
McLaren joins Ferrari in helping Manor survive
Feb.26 (GMM) McLaren has joined fellow creditor Ferrari in helping the former Marussia team to survive. Ferrari, owed millions by the struggling backmarker, has agreed to keep supplying its 2014-spec turbo V6 engine to the team reborn as ‘Manor’ for 2015. McLaren, a separate technology partner, is also owed millions by Manor. But the struggling […]
Button predicts unpredictable Melbourne grid
Feb.26 (GMM) Jenson Button is predicting an unpredictable grid for next weekend’s Melbourne season opener. As the final four-day test of the winter pre-season begins on Thursday in Barcelona, the McLaren-Honda driver said the pecking order has changed since last year. “A year ago,” the Briton is quoted by Speed Week, “it was clear that […]
Now FIA helping Manor’s quest for 2015 grid
Feb.26 (GMM) F1’s governing body has joined McLaren and Ferrari in actively supporting the former Marussia team’s quest to return to the sport this year. Although owed millions by the struggling backmarker, Ferrari has agreed to keep supplying its 2014-spec turbo V6 engine to the team reborn as ‘Manor’ for 2015. McLaren, a separate technology […]
Alonso could miss Melbourne season opener
Feb.26 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s manager has sidestepped suggestions the Spaniard might have to sit out the Melbourne season opener. After four days in hospital, the 33-year-old is now resting with his family in his native Oviedo in the wake of his Barcelona testing crash. He will not take part in the final four-day winter test, […]
Arrivabene denies Gutierrez is Ferrari ‘pay driver’
Feb.25 (GMM) Ferrari has denied that even the great Italian team is now heading down the ‘pay driver’ road. Outspoken former F1 driver Mark Webber insisted this week that the fact drivers have so readily “paid their way” onto the grid in recent years is “rubbish”. “That’s not what we want in the sport,” he […]
Wehrlein says Mercedes in super licence talks
Feb.25 (GMM) Rising star Pascal Wehrlein is hoping talks with the FIA clear the path for his potential formula one debut in 2016. The 20-year-old German is now one of the hottest new names in the paddock, having been appointed Mercedes’ official reserve driver for 2015. He tested the title-winning W05 last November in Abu […]
Force India sets Friday debut for delayed 2015 car
Feb.25 (GMM) Force India has finally released a picture of its long-delayed 2015 car. Amid rumours of financial and supplier trouble, the Silverstone based team was missing at the first Jerez test, and ran only with its 2014 car in Barcelona last week. Now, the embattled Vijay Mallya-run team has announced that its VJM08 – […]
Cloud still hangs over Monza GP
Feb.25 (GMM) A cloud continues to hang over the future of the iconic Italian grand prix. Last year, Bernie Ecclestone warned that because the current contractual terms are “a disaster”, once the deal expires after the 2016 race, formula one will say “bye-bye” to Monza. Worsening the situation, it then emerged that the new, so-called […]
Alonso ‘going home to rest’ – report
Feb.25 (GMM) After three nights in hospital and amid swirling speculation about his testing crash, Fernando Alonso is finally going home. That was the claim on Wednesday of the Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo, reporting that the McLaren-Honda driver is “going home to Oviedo to rest”. Alonso will “not take part in the test […]
Alonso to sit out Barcelona test
Feb.25 (GMM) McLaren-Honda has confirmed that Fernando Alonso will sit out the final test of the winter this week. Earlier on Wednesday, three nights in hospital after his testing crash at Barcelona, the Spaniard finally returned home to his native Oviedo. McLaren said in a statement that Alonso will now spend the next few days […]
Speculation now rampant after ‘normal’ Alonso crash
Feb.25 (GMM) McLaren’s media statement has not stopped rampant speculation about the crash that left Fernando Alonso in hospital for four days and counting. Many insiders are blaming the Woking based team, not only for waiting 28 hours to explain the bizarre accident but then insisting it was entirely “normal”. But drivers are rarely knocked […]
Wolff sells more of Williams stake
Feb.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff has offloaded more of his stake in the Williams team. Ever since the Austrian bought into Mercedes early in 2013 and began working as its F1 and motor racing chief, his more than 15 per cent stake in Williams has been quietly on the market. In June of last year, it […]
Manor eyes freight deadline, signs Will Stevens
Feb.25 (GMM) The former Marussia team on Wednesday said it is back on track for 2015. Now called Manor, founded for the junior categories by John Booth 25 years ago, the outfit has exited administration, set up camp at the old F3 headquarters in South Yorkshire, and is working hard on preparing a car. Earlier, […]
Technical expert says Ferrari back on track
Feb.25 (GMM) One of F1’s most respected technical journalists agrees that Ferrari is back on track after its disappointing 2014. Giorgio Piola, a veteran of hundreds of grands prix as a technical illustrator, said the biggest step forward taken by the Maranello team is on the ‘power unit’ side. “The car seems better overall and […]
Nurburgring says German GP cannot afford Ecclestone fees
Feb.25 (GMM) A deal to keep the German grand prix on this year’s F1 calendar still has not been struck. The Nurburgring was scheduled to return in 2015, but the financially-troubled circuit is tied down in an ownership crisis. Bernie Ecclestone has said the sport could simply revert to Hockenheim, but amid the F1 supremo’s […]