Feb.10 (GMM) McLaren-Honda is confident it will see the chequered flag in Melbourne. Together again after more than two decades, the famous British team and the returning Japanese manufacturer notably struggled at the opening winter test at Jerez. “I thought they would be on the same level as Renault and Ferrari,” said former McLaren driver […]
Nurburgring makes proposal to save German GP
Feb.10 (GMM) The Nurburgring has tabled an offer in the hope of keeping the German grand prix alive in 2015. The F1 paddock – and particularly Germany’s prominent representatives including Mercedes, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel – has reacted with concern to Bernie Ecclestone’s news that it is possible neither the Nurburgring or Hockenheim can […]
Alonso vows to sue over tax evasion reports
Feb.10 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is threatening legal action after being named on a list of those suspected of tax evasion. The so-called ‘Falciani list’, named after a whistleblower, features thousands of names of those with Swiss accounts who reportedly used the HSBC bank to evade tax by placing money offshore. Also on the list are […]
Ferrari tester says Mercedes is 2015 ‘favourite’
Feb.10 (GMM) Ferrari tester Marc Gene has acknowledged that Mercedes remains the favourite for the 2015 season. After Jerez, where the formerly struggling Maranello team surprised the F1 world with its headline test times, many predicted Ferrari might be in a position to challenge the ultra-dominant 2014 champions Mercedes this year. Also vastly improved at […]
Some teens can be ready for F1 – Verstappen
Feb.10 (GMM) Max Verstappen says he understands the FIA’s decision to clamp down on the age and inexperience of future rookies in formula one. In just over a month, the Dutchman will smash the all-time record for the youngest ever race driver on the grid, when he hits the throttle in Melbourne at the controversial […]
Bottas plays down Ferrari’s headline test times
Feb.9 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas is not ruling out racing to his first-ever grand prix win in 2015. The Finn was a standout of last season and is now being linked with a potential move to Mercedes or Ferrari. But before that, he will race again with the resurgent Williams team in 2015. The independent British […]
Photographer notices new Ferrari paint for 2015
Feb.9 (GMM) Ferrari has reportedly added a coat of new paint to its formula one car for 2015. After a dire 2014, the fabled Maranello team underwent a radical personnel shakeup and emerged at the opening winter test at Jerez apparently much more competitive. But that pace is not what caught photographer Alex Galli’s eye […]
Ecclestone tells F1 chiefs German GP not dead yet
Feb.9 (GMM) The 2015 German grand prix is not dead yet. One week ago, Bernie Ecclestone told a German correspondent that the country will fall off this year’s schedule. He quickly backtracked, but it is true that neither the embattled Nurburgring nor Hockenheim currently have a deal in place to host the July race. “I […]
Vettel back to ‘naughty’ old self – Marko
Feb.9 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is back to his old self, Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko has admitted. Recently, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner claimed that amid Vettel’s struggle to keep up with the new F1 rules and teammate Daniel Ricciardo last year, the quadruple world champion contemplated quitting the sport. Ultimately, he switched […]
Mercedes to dominate again in 2015 – Briatore
Feb.9 (GMM) Flavio Briatore does not think any F1 rivals are ready to challenge Mercedes’ dominance in 2015. Ferrari set the pace at the Jerez test last week, while Red Bull and Williams are expected to have taken steps forward since 2014. But former Renault chief Briatore insisted: “The one constant in formula one at […]
Good Lotus puts smile back on Grosjean
Feb.9 (GMM) Romain Grosjean is once again wearing his customary smile. Having emerged from his personal ‘crash-kid’ crisis of 2012, the Frenchman’s F1 career gathered momentum in 2013 before he spent last season racing the woeful black and gold Lotus. Now, as the Enstone team looks to get back on track, Grosjean has confirmed that […]
Van der Garde to test GP2 car on Monday
Feb.9 (GMM) Giedo van der Garde will return to the cockpit of a GP2 car this week. The Dutchman, who debuted for Caterham in 2013, spent last year as Sauber’s reserve and was disappointed not to secure a race seat with the Swiss team for 2015. Now, the Dutch daily De Telegraaf is reporting that […]
Qatar now close to F1 race deal – official
Feb.9 (GMM) Qatar claims it is about to join the F1 calendar. Earlier, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said that despite the oil-rich Arab state’s interest, Qatar’s grand prix aspirations were being blocked by Bahrain. “They (Bahrain) said to me would I give them a guarantee I wouldn’t stage another race in the Gulf, and I […]
Strategy Group rejects V8 engines for 2017
Feb.7 (GMM) The powerful strategy group on Thursday rejected Ferrari’s proposal to replace the current V6 engines with a twin-turbo V8 formula for 2017. However, Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that plans to boost the sport cars to a whopping 1,000 horse power nonetheless remain on track. The report said that when Ferrari’s V8 […]
Force India denies not paying supplier bills
Feb.7 (GMM) Force India has hit back at reports it could be the next team to spin out of formula one. The Silverstone based team missed the Jerez test and will also not have its 2015 car at the forthcoming Barcelona session. According to Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt, it has triggered rumours […]
Manor still determined to return in 2015 – boss
Feb.7 (GMM) The former Marussia team has confirmed reports it has not given up on returning to formula one in 2015. Looking to exit administration with new investors, and now called Manor F1 Team, the newly Dinnington-based outfit hit a roadblock on Thursday when the strategy group blocked its application to use a 2014 car […]
Bottas not denying interest in Raikkonen’s seat
Feb.6 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has not denied he might be looking to take Kimi Raikkonen’s place at Ferrari for 2016. Raikkonen, who struggled last year, remains under contract to the Maranello team for this season, with an ‘option’ still in place for 2016. When asked about that at the Jerez test, the Finn answered: “It’s […]
Marussia now targets China comeback with 2015 car
Feb.6 (GMM) Thursday’s Paris blow may not be the death knell for Marussia. At the strategy group meeting, Force India and other rival teams blocked the ailing backmarker’s bid to return as Manor this year by using its 2014 car. But Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport claims on Friday that Manor has a new plan. […]
Force India defends blocking Manor revival
Feb.6 (GMM) Force India has defended blocking Marussia’s application to return to F1 this year with a 2014-spec car. Now called Manor, the ailing backmarker once known as Marussia had reportedly secured the backing of former Sainsbury’s chief Justin King and intended to exit administration later this month. So team president Graeme Lowdon made a […]
Ecclestone confirms teams blocked Manor return
Feb.6 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed reports that Marussia will not be allowed to return to formula one this year with its 2014-spec car. Former Sainsbury’s boss Justin King is reportedly behind the efforts to bring the team – now called Manor – out of administration and back to F1 in 2015. But as suggested […]