Jul.1 (GMM) Just two days before his engine would fire, Fabio Leimer still does not know if he will drive at Silverstone. After his hopes of making his Friday practice debut for Manor were dashed in Austria, the Swiss told France’s L’Equipe: “For now, it seems that I will do the first free practice at […]
F1 ‘still beyond my reach’ – Kubica
Jul.1 (GMM) Robert Kubica has admitted that racing in formula one remains “beyond my reach” at present. The now 30-year-old Pole has been conspicuously absent from the grid since 2011, when in the pre-season he had an horror accident whilst contesting a rally. Today, he is a World Rally driver but to date has been […]
F1 crisis needs ‘quick solution’ – Arrivabene
Jul.1 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene says F1 is seeking “the solution” to its current crisis. When asked by France’s Auto Hebdo about the increasingly disaffected audience, the Ferrari chief answered: “Obviously we are going through a difficult moment. “Everyone has acknowledged that. There are discussions at all levels and everyone agrees that the solution must be […]
Qatar still pushing for F1 race
Jul.1 (GMM) Qatar is still pushing hard for a formula one race. That is despite the fact F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is for now honouring an agreement he made with Bahrain to keep that race exclusive in the Middle East. “We asked them (Bahrain) about Abu Dhabi and they agreed but they said a third […]
Mosley invited to Strategy Group meeting
Jul.1 (GMM) Max Mosley was invited to Wednesday’s key meeting of the Strategy Group in London, The Times newspaper reports. But the former FIA president “refused, believing that his presence would cause ructions,” according to correspondent Kevin Eason. One reason for that is because the meeting will also be attended by Mosley’s successor Jean Todt, […]
Vettel involved lawyers over ‘Multi-21’ – Webber
Jul.1 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel threatened to sue Red Bull over the ‘Multi-21’ affair of 2013. That is the explosive revelation in Mark Webber’s newly-published autobiography Aussie Grit. The Australian this week revealed that the tension between himself and former Red Bull teammate Vettel was so great after the team orders affair of Malaysia that it […]
Now Russia wants own F1 team
Jul.1 (GMM) If Azerbaijan is pushing towards the formula one grid, then so too should Russia. That is the view of Igor Ermilin, the presidential advisor of the Russian Automobile Federation. His comments follow reports Azerbaijan, a former Soviet state, is considering starting a F1 team or at least sponsoring one as it joins the […]
Hamilton must be better loser – Hill
Jul.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton must find a way to cope with losing. That is the view of 1996 world champion Damon Hill, who also warned the Mercedes driver to strike a better balance between his professional and private lives. Hill told Germany’s Kolner Express tabloid that Hamilton, the 2015 championship leader and reigning world champion, […]
Bottas to wear red if Raikkonen leaves
Jul.1 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has been singled out as the ideal replacement should his countryman Kimi Raikkonen depart Ferrari. Multiple Italian media sources agree that, notwithstanding speculation Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg are also in the running, it is Williams’ Bottas who is first in line in the event fellow Finn Raikkonen is ousted. On […]
Burti tips Hamilton to beat Rosberg
Jul.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is the clear favourite to win the 2015 title. That is the claim of former F1 driver turned Brazilian commentator Luciano Burti, even though Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg has found his form at recent races. 40-year-old Burti, who raced for Jaguar and Prost early last decade, told Globo: “Hamilton has […]
Massa defends radio instructions in F1
Jul.1 (GMM) Felipe Massa has defended the radio instructions given to today’s formula one drivers. As the sport analyses what is turning off fans, some are arguing that the sport should push ahead with its plans to further limit the exchange of information between the pitwall and the supposed ‘heroes’ at the racing wheel. But […]
McLaren should prioritise pace over reliability – Button
Jul.1 (GMM) Jenson Button has urged McLaren-Honda to prioritise performance over reliability. Team boss Eric Boullier said recently that, as works partner Honda’s awkward return to the sport continues, the ongoing troubles will soon begin to affect preparations for the 2016 season. At a sponsor event this week, Button agrees: “You can’t finish this year […]
Hamilton hopes to avoid ‘plastic’ trophy at home GP
Jul.1 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is hoping the iconic golden trophy is on the British grand prix podium on Sunday. Last year, as he won his home race at Silverstone, he publicly ridiculed the “plastic” trophy commissioned by race sponsor Santander that fell apart in his hands on the podium. Later, he posed in the press […]
Tilke to start work on Baku layout
Jun.30 (GMM) Once considered an unlikely fit for formula one, Azerbaijan is racing into its grand prix future. Bernie Ecclestone has inked a deal for a street race in Baku, the oil-rich former Soviet country’s capital, and asked if it is going ahead, the F1 supremo insisted: “Yep. Sure. “It’s going to be great. People […]
More penalties looming for Alonso
Jun.30 (GMM) This weekend will not be a happy home grand prix for McLaren. The British team’s season hit new lows in Canada and Austria, and the hits will keep on coming this weekend at Silverstone. “It’s never the way you want to get to the British grand prix after the two weekends we’ve had,” […]
Red Bull not losing Ricciardo – Horner
Jun.30 (GMM) Christian Horner on Tuesday said there is “no risk” Red Bull is set to lose Daniel Ricciardo to Ferrari. Ricciardo, whose frustration with the situation at Red Bull is beginning to show, earlier told reporters that Ferrari’s apparent interest for 2016 is “nice” and “a compliment”. But he also acknowledged that he is […]
Toro Rosso shines amid Red Bull-Renault debacle
Jun.30 (GMM) Amid the Red Bull-Renault debacle of 2015, the only winner appears to be the junior team Toro Rosso. A report in Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport claims the James Key-designed STR10 is perhaps among the three best cars on the grid this season. “With a Mercedes engine we would be at the front,” […]
Raikkonen says future not in his hands
Jun.30 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen does not agree that his future at Ferrari is in his own hands. “Raikkonen’s fate is in his hands,” Italian media have quoted team boss Maurizio Arrivabene as saying, amid swirling speculation about the Finn. Some sources have reported that Raikkonen, 35, has been given only another couple of races to […]
Attention returns to Strategy Group on Wednesday
Jun.30 (GMM) F1’s attention will return to the Strategy Group on Wednesday. Six weeks ago, as the sport’s main protagonists insisted formula one must turn a corner, the group met and voted on a package. But, since then, it has become clear that the proposed changes are not ready to be pushed to the World […]
De Villota family still considering legal action
Jun.30 (GMM) Maria de Villota’s family is not ruling out legal action after more details of her 2012 Marussia crash emerged. Last month, Britain’s Health and Safety Executive said action would not be taken against the backmarker team even though the 33-year-old Spaniard died 15 months after suffering horror injuries in the crash at Duxford […]