Nov.22 (GMM) F1 might be about to discover its next Max Verstappen-like sensation. That is the claim of former F1 driver and three-time winner Thierry Boutsen, who raced in the 80s and 90s. He admitted to the Belgian broadcaster Sporza that he is referring to Stoffel Vandoorne, his countryman who is set to make his […]
Month: November 2016
Prost-like Rosberg deserves title – Villeneuve
Nov.22 (GMM) Even Lewis Hamilton concedes that his teammate Nico Rosberg is the favourite to be crowned world champion in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Although Hamilton is back on form with three consecutive wins closing his point gap to 12, many experts think Rosberg has simply been nursing the lead recently. So an easy third […]
Malaysia to axe GP after 2018
Nov.22 (GMM) Malaysia will host its twentieth and final grand prix at Sepang in 2018. The country’s tourism minister Nazri Abdul Aziz told the state-run Bernama news agency that the decision had been taken for financial reasons. “We spend 300 million ringgit ($68m) per year but are not getting 300 million back,” he said. “There […]
Alonso, Button hint at Le Mans futures
Nov.22 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has hinted again that his future lies at Le Mans. The Spaniard, who has never hidden his passion for the ever-burgeoning world endurance championship and the fabled 24 hour race, has said that if F1 does not get a lot racier in 2017, he will not renew his McLaren contract. Now, […]
Wolff excited and worried about 2017
Nov.22 (GMM) Toto Wolff says he is looking ahead to 2017 with a mix of excitement and apprehension. That is because while agreeing that the laptime boost with the faster cars next year will be “impressive”, the Mercedes boss warned it may come at the cost of wheel-to-wheel racing. “For now, I see the data […]
Nasr future uncertain after Ericsson deal
Nov.21 (GMM) Felipe Nasr’s future remained uncertain on Monday, as Sauber extended its deal with Marcus Ericsson into 2017. “The second driver … will be announced in due course,” the Swiss team said in the Ericsson announcement. Nasr has run into trouble with his backer Banco do Brasil, but there have also been signs of […]
Ecclestone clarifies Singapore comments
Nov.21 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone on Monday said he is working to keep F1 in Singapore. Earlier, the F1 supremo had been quoted by a German magazine as revealing that because the city-state had reached its objections with the spectacular night race, it no longer wanted to be on the calendar. But Ecclestone told the Straits […]
More drivers complain about Halo
Nov.21 (GMM) There is no guarantee the controversial ‘Halo’ concept will make its debut as planned in 2018. That is the claim of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, adding that although the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association is backing the cockpit protection, many drivers are actually not convinced. After becoming one of the latest drivers to […]
Stroll test programme ‘unprecedented’ – Williams
Nov.21 (GMM) Williams kept Lance Stroll’s test programme top secret in order to reduce the pressure on the 2017 team rookie. That is the claim of team deputy Claire Williams, referring to Stroll’s near-unprecedented world tour of tracks in a 2014 car to prepare him for his Melbourne debut next March. When asked about that […]
No temptation for Ferrari return – Costa
Nov.21 (GMM) Aldo Costa says he is not tempted to return to Ferrari. Like many others before him, the Italian left Ferrari in 2011 amid the great Maranello marque’s struggle to win its first title since 2007. Now, Ferrari is in its latest ‘crisis’ following the departure of technical boss James Allison, with Mercedes’ Paddy […]
Rosberg undecided over Abu Dhabi strategy
Nov.21 (GMM) Nico Rosberg is still devising a plan to tackle this weekend’s championship finale in Abu Dhabi. Although the German insists he has been tackling recent races to win, Mercedes bosses admit that Rosberg could afford to be more conservative to protect his significant points lead over Lewis Hamilton. Now, he just needs to […]
Verstappen must be careful on road to greatness – Lauda
Nov.21 (GMM) Max Verstappen is on the edge of future greatness, but he also needs to be “careful”. That is the claim of F1 legend Niki Lauda, when asked by the Diario de Ibiza newspaper to comment on the controversial yet sensational Dutch teenager. Verstappen has been making waves for his undoubted talent but also […]
Ecclestone questions Singapore GP future
Nov.21 (GMM) Singapore has become the latest grand prix with a cloud over its future. Three races have provisional status on the 2017 schedule, others are in doubt for the future and now F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that Singapore could be the next to go. The night race has quickly become one of […]
Allison, Lowe rumours on the rise
Nov.18 (GMM) Speculation is rising by the week that James Allison’s future may be at Mercedes. Earlier this year, following the sudden death of his wife, the Briton left Ferrari and has since been linked with a return to a British-based team. The rumours may tie in to reports that Mercedes may soon have a […]
Rob Smedley hints at easing off F1 throttle
Nov.18 (GMM) Rob Smedley has indicated he might follow Felipe Massa’s example by easing off the F1 throttle in the next few years. Smedley and Massa’s careers have been closely linked, with the pair working together as engineer and driver at Ferrari and moving on together to Williams in 2014. But more than that, they […]
Time to stop safety advances – Kvyat
Nov.18 (GMM) F1 is now safe enough that it can think about speeding up and spicing up the show, according to Russian driver Daniil Kvyat. However, many of his rivals support the status quo, where more and more safety advances like Halo and red flags for rainy races are becoming the norm. F1 legend Niki […]
Manor hits back at team collapse reports
Nov.18 (GMM) Manor has hit back at reports the team is once again in danger of collapse. Reports have suggested that with Sauber passing the team for tenth in the all-important constructors’ championship, missing out on the $15 million could mean Manor may collapse. Team boss Dave Ryan, however, congratulated Sauber for Felipe Nasr’s ninth […]
Verstappen ‘aggressive all the time’ – Ocon
Nov.18 (GMM) Esteban Ocon says he does not look back with fondness on his past duels with F1 sensation Max Verstappen. The pair have been wheel-to-wheel since their karting days, and Frenchman Ocon – to step up from Manor to Force India next year – says it has always been intense with Verstappen. “We fought […]
Personal rift, China deal behind Dennis exit
Nov.18 (GMM) A personal rift and a buyout bid by Chinese investors are seemingly behind Ron Dennis’ sudden exit from F1 and McLaren. Although the 69-year-old’s ousting has only now been confirmed, rumours of a falling out between his long-time ally and fellow shareholder Mansour Ojjeh, and McLaren’s Bahraini co-owners, have been circulating for some […]
Giovinazzi to turn down Mercedes offer
Nov.17 (GMM) GP2 championship favourite Antonio Giovinazzi looks set to turn down an offer from Mercedes. The 22-year-old Italian has been linked with an impending move into F1 for 2017, and Auto Motor und Sport claims that he has an offer on his table from Mercedes. Reportedly, if Giovinazzi accepts Toto Wolff’s offer, he would […]