May 9 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel may already have a “pre-agreement” to switch to Mercedes for 2018. That is the claim of well-known F1 media insider Leo Turrini, who is notoriously close to Ferrari. Although leading the world championship, German Vettel – whose Ferrari contract expires late this year – is rumoured to be in talks […]
Month: May 2017
Mercedes admits Ferrari ‘still ahead’
May 9 (GMM) Niki Lauda says Mercedes has work to do to catch up with Ferrari. Although Valtteri Bottas won in Russia, Lewis Hamilton struggled and the Brackley based team thinks it is because the Ferrari is better managing the new Pirelli tyres. “Sometimes we have a car of two parts,” team chairman Lauda told […]
Schumacher eyeing F1 ‘one step at a time’
May 8 (GMM) Mick Schumacher insists he is in no rush to become the next teenager in F1. As teens, Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll both powered straight out of European F3 onto the formula one grid. But Schumacher, son of the F1 legend Michael Schumacher, says he is in no such rush. “I’ve just […]
Rumour – Ecclestone involved in Force India bid?
May 8 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone could be involved with a reported move to buy Force India. That is the claim of one of the most experienced veteran journalists in the F1 paddock, Roger Benoit. The long-time correspondent for the Swiss newspaper Blick referred to recent claims that Force India’s controversial owners, Vijay Mallya and Subrata […]
Sainz ‘happy’ at Toro Rosso
May 8 (GMM) Carlos Sainz insists he is “happy” at Toro Rosso. Actually, the Spaniard has been linked with moves to bigger teams like Renault, but is bound to his Red Bull contract for now. But when asked if he feels fenced in at the energy drink company’s junior team, Sainz said: “No. “I think […]
Races not boring in 2017 – Minardi
May 8 (GMM) Giancarlo Minardi has hit back at claims the new F1 regulations have made the races boring. Last time out in Russia, there was only a single overtaking move all race, with the faster 2017 cars being blamed for the lack of action. But Minardi, a former F1 team owner, told Italy’s Autosprint: […]
Berger tips nephew for F1 seat
May 8 (GMM) F1 legend Gerhard Berger thinks his nephew could be the next Austrian on the formula one grid. Berger, the former BMW and Toro Rosso chief and a 10-time race winner, has just started his new role as boss of the German touring car series DTM. And his nephew Lucas Auer started the […]
Verstappen ‘disappointed’ in 2017 – Brundle
May 8 (GMM) Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has urged Max Verstappen to keep his “disappointment” in check this year. Brundle, a former McLaren driver who is now a veteran commentator for British television, told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that he can sense the 19-year-old’s frustration with Red Bull’s 2017 car. “He’s so smart […]
Vettel’s brother makes racing debut
May 8 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s brother is taking his first steps in the world of professional motor racing. The 2017 championship leader’s 18-year-old brother Fabian has made his debut in the Audi Sport TT Cup, according to German reports. He said the level of interest in his debut surprised him. “I was partially expecting it,” […]
Ferrari ‘feared’ by Mercedes in 2017 – Marchionne
May 5 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne says he is happy Ferrari is now “feared” once again by its top F1 competitor. After a decade-long title drought, Sebastian Vettel is leading the world championship after the opening four races of 2017. “We have made significant progress,” the Ferrari president is quoted by Italian media, including La Repubblica […]
Villeneuve ‘surprised’ by Ferrari in 2017
May 5 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve says he is surprised by Ferrari’s form so far this year. After three years of utter Mercedes dominance, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel is leading the world championship after four races in 2017. “I admit to being surprised,” Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, told Italian blogger Leo Turrini. But the French Canadian, […]
Grosjean becomes GPDA director
May 5 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has become a boss of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association. The Swiss-born Frenchman, who drives for Haas, replaces the retired former GPDA director Jenson Button. His appointment comes despite the fact that while GPDA president Alex Wurz is a big proponent of cockpit protection in F1, Grosjean has never supported […]
Indycar boss says Alonso move good for F1 too
May 5 (GMM) Indycar boss Mark Miles thinks Fernando Alonso’s Indy 500 foray is good not only for the American series, but also formula one. This week, F1 chief Chase Carey said of the McLaren-Honda driver’s decision to skip Monaco: “It is indirectly beneficial to us as a great F1 driver who reaches the American […]
Bottas win won’t upset driver harmony – Mercedes
May 5 (GMM) Mercedes chiefs are sure Valtteri Bottas’ breakthrough win will not upset the balance in its driver lineup. Until now, the team has been revelling in peace-time, after Nico Rosberg’s retirement ended the awkward situation between the German and Lewis Hamilton. Before Sochi, the media was even wondering if Rosberg’s replacement Bottas was […]
Carey wants ‘long term’ Spanish GP
May 5 (GMM) New F1 boss Chase Carey says he aims to keep Barcelona on the calendar for the “long term”. The Circuit de Catalunya is the sport’s most used track for testing, and the long-time host of the annual Spanish grand prix. “We have a contract to continue with Barcelona and we hope it […]
Top teams ‘light years’ ahead – Sainz
May 5 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has lamented the fact that F1’s top teams are “light years” ahead of the opposition. From a personal point of view, the young Spaniard said he is happy with the “best start” he has had to his three years in formula one so far in 2017. “My three years of […]
Former Ferrari boss ‘critical’ after crash
May 5 (GMM) Former Ferrari boss Cesare Fiorio is reportedly in a “critical” condition after a cycling crash. Italian sources including La Gazzetta dello Sport and Autosprint say the 78-year-old fell whilst cycling in southern Italy and was discovered unconscious. He is currently in hospital, reportedly with serious head and arm injuries. Fiorio briefly led […]
Mallya troubles won’t hurt Force India – Fernley
May 5 (GMM) Bob Fernley says team boss Vijay Mallya’s legal troubles will not affect Force India. As deputy boss, Fernley has been left in charge of the race team while former Indian billionaire Mallya, also the team co-owner, is unable to travel after having his passport seized. Now, the Indian government is trying to […]
Ecclestone hits back after Carey jibe
May 5 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at the claim that he presided over an era of saying “no”. After decades in charge of formula one, the 86-year-old was ousted by Liberty Media as the American company took over. Chase Carey, his successor, said this week that Ecclestone “said no” too often. “I want […]
London admits talks for F1 car ‘showcase’
May 4 (GMM) Plans are afoot for a demonstration of F1 cars in London ahead of this year’s British grand prix. It is over a decade since the last such event took place in the capital, but the idea is now being championed by the sport’s new owners Liberty Media. New F1 chief Chase Carey […]