Feb.6 (GMM) F1’s new team for 2016, the American entrant Haas, could race with a distinctive yellow livery. It has emerged in recent days that former McLaren and Red Bull engineer Rob Taylor will head the design of the first Haas car, in collaboration with Ferrari and Dallara. “We do not want to make a […]
F1 actually no louder in 2015 – report
Feb.6 (GMM) A Spanish correspondent has contradicted the ears of many by insisting F1 is no louder in 2015. At Jerez, numerous trackside observers agreed that the turbo V6-powered field is audibly louder than it was last year. Indeed, Marco Canseco, writing for the Spanish daily Marca, agrees that the sound produced by the 1.6 […]
‘Upset’ Magnussen eyes Indycar ‘option’
Feb.6 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen is not ruling out looking elsewhere to keep his racing instincts sharp. Just a year into his F1 racing career, the 22-year-old has been pushed aside by McLaren in favour of its all-champion lineup for 2015 featuring Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button. He admits he is disappointed. “Personally, I think I […]
Insiders doubt Alonso can succeed in 2015
Feb.6 (GMM) Respected insiders are not expecting McLaren-Honda to shine in 2015. With the Japanese engine maker Honda returning to the sport this year to revive its iconic collaboration with the British team, it has notably struggled so far simply to run its compact and complex turbo V6. McLaren-Honda managed to secure arguably F1’s best […]
Mercedes ‘out of reach’ for 2015 – Mateschitz
Feb.6 (GMM) Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz does not think Red Bull can mount a serious championship challenge in 2015. The Austrian billionaire made an ultra-rare paddock visit this week at the opening test of the pre-season. After Jerez, Mateschitz said: “Mercedes is again out of reach. “I think if we are able to reduce the […]
Rumours swirl around Manor revival
Feb.5 (GMM) Rumours are now swirling around the future of the ailing backmarker formerly called Marussia. It emerged on Wednesday that the John Booth-founded ‘Manor’ outfit is planning to exit administration later this month ahead of an effort to return for the 2015 season. According to speculation, however, the first obstacle may be met as […]
McLaren-Honda working on cultural barriers – report
Feb.5 (GMM) Horse power and downforce are not the only challenges taking place behind closed garage doors at McLaren-Honda this pre-season. A report in the Spanish sports daily Marca claims that although the famous companies achieved huge success in F1 decades ago, they are once again going through the motions of learning how to work […]
Silent Hamilton in a spin after split
Feb.5 (GMM) Defending champion Lewis Hamilton went into a silent spin on Wednesday as the first test of the 2015 pre-season concluded at Jerez. The Briton was back in his silver Mercedes for the last of four test days in southern Spain, just as news hit the celebrity headlines about his latest split from long-time […]
Schumacher son close to F4 contract – reports
Feb.5 (GMM) Michael Schumacher’s son is set to begin down his own road to formula one. Following in the footsteps of his father and also uncle Ralf, 15-year-old Mick – who has raced karts in recent years under the pseudonym ‘Mick Junior’ – is reportedly about to tread into the world of single-seater cars. Dutch […]
End of the line as Caterham plans assets auction
Feb.5 (GMM) Caterham is finally reaching the end of the line, as administrators decide to auction the backmarker’s assets. Just as hope rises for F1’s other ailing team, Manor, it emerged on Thursday that auctioneers have been appointed to begin selling Caterham’s assets next month, including the crucial 2014 cars and race-day equipment. Acting team […]
F1 to discuss 1,000hp engines on Thursday
Feb.4 (GMM) F1 is targeting a return to four-digit horse power. On Thursday, the sport’s powerful strategy group is set to meet in Paris, and the big-ticket item for discussion will be Bernie Ecclestone’s desire for 1,000 horse power by 2017. The F1 supremo has confirmed to Forbes that the so-called new engine ‘unfreeze’, allowing […]
Ferrari takes ‘big step’ for 2015 – Kaltenborn
Feb.4 (GMM) Monisha Kaltenborn has joined those who are impressed with the progress made by beleaguered great Ferrari over the winter. Like the Maranello based works team, the Swiss outfit Sauber has made an obvious step forward ahead of the 2015 season. The common element is Ferrari’s improved V6 ‘power unit’ package. “From the data […]
Nasr plays down Sauber’s top test pace
Feb.4 (GMM) Felipe Nasr has played down Sauber’s sudden leap from the doldrums of 2014 to the top of the Jerez timesheets. The new C34, bearing the blue and yellow of Brazilian rookie Nasr’s Banco do Brasil backing, has been at or near the ultimate pace ever since the first test of the 2015 pre-season […]
Manor plans to exit administration before 2015 season
Feb.4 (GMM) There were signs of life on Wednesday from the team formerly known as Marussia. Despite beating both Caterham and Sauber to ninth place in the championship, the backmarker missed the last races of the season and was placed in administration. Now called Manor, which is the operating company founded by John Booth, the […]
Mercedes admits F1 engines louder in 2015
Feb.4 (GMM) Mercedes chiefs have admitted that F1 unexpectedly turned up the volume for 2015. Last year, as the turbo ‘power units’ replaced the screaming normally-aspired engines of the past, the biggest controversy was the loss of volume. But trackside observers at this week’s first 2015 test at Jerez unanimously agree that the new cars […]
Force India denies rumours of team collapse
Feb.4 (GMM) Force India and also F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone have played down reports about the health of the Silverstone based team. Amid rumours the team is in financial trouble and could miss the season opener in Melbourne, a Force India spokesperson said on Monday: “We will definitely be in Melbourne and are still planning […]
Lauda puts on red sweater for Ferrari ‘surprise’
Feb.4 (GMM) Ferrari is emerging from crisis and turmoil to become perhaps Mercedes’ biggest threat for the 2015 title. The beleaguered Italian team has been playing down its prospects amid sweeping personnel changes, but newcomer Sebastian Vettel and the SF15-T car hit the Jerez test track with immediate pace this week. Continuing Ferrari driver Kimi […]
2015 Force India set to miss another test
Feb.4 (GMM) Yet another official test will pass before Force India’s 2015 car is debuted, it emerged on Wednesday. Already absent at Jerez, the Silverstone based team is fending off speculation of financial trouble that could even mean the season opener in Melbourne is in doubt. But Force India declared: “We’ll be there come Melbourne.” […]
Rival teams will stop ‘Manor’ revival – report
Feb.4 (GMM) Marussia’s 2015 comeback could be thwarted because the team does not have a new car ready to race. It emerged on Wednesday that the backmarker team, to be known now as Manor, could exit administration ahead of the new season. Mark Kleinman, the city editor for Sky News, revealed that heading the consortium […]
Jerez sees F1 move up a gear for 2015
Feb.4 (GMM) As the first test of the 2015 pre-season nears its end, more questions have emerged than have been answered. McLaren, for one, has struggled with its odd-sounding new works Honda V6, but team figures are gushing about the ‘size-zero’ car for its revolutionary engine. Fernando Alonso finally managed some consecutive, if uncompetitive laps […]