Jun.27 (GMM) Max Verstappen is facing a EUR 25,000 fine for skipping his mandatory press duties after Sunday’s race in Baku. Openly unhappy about his recent troubles at Red Bull, the Dutchman left the Azerbaijan street circuit after the race without talking to the media. De Telegraaf newspaper claims Verstappen could face a hefty fine […]
Month: June 2017
Haas brake struggles ‘unacceptable’ – Grosjean
Jun.27 (GMM) Romain Grosjean left Baku furious that Haas is yet to get to the bottom of a recurring brake problem. The Frenchman has bemoaned the American team’s issues with brakes since its inception last year, but Azerbaijan was a particularly troubled race for the 31-year-old. After the race, Haas’ team statement said under Grosjean’s […]
Bottas not worried about Mercedes future
Jun.27 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas insists he is still not worried about his future at Mercedes. Although performing solidly, the Finn has been told by boss Toto Wolff that the team is not ready to re-sign him for 2018. But that was before Baku, where Bottas finished second. “I did not sign anything after this race!” […]
Force India says driver clash ‘unacceptable’
Jun.27 (GMM) Force India’s race drivers are to be told that what happened in Baku at the weekend was “unacceptable”. That is the news from the Silverstone based team’s sporting boss Otmar Szafnauer, following the latest run-in between Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon. After the team orders saga of Montreal, both drivers complained after Baku […]
Rio keen on Brazil GP switch – promoter
Jun.27 (GMM) Brazilian grand prix promoter Tamas Rohonyi has admitted Rio de Janeiro is interested in hosting the country’s F1 race. Currently, Brazil’s race is held at Interlagos, but as Bernie Ecclestone left his post as F1 CEO, he warned that the future of the event near Sao Paulo was in doubt. However, local promoter […]
Renault still interested in Sainz
Jun.27 (GMM) Renault has admitted it still has “an eye” on Carlos Sainz. Last year, the French works team made a move for the young Spaniard, but found him securely under contract to Toro Rosso and Red Bull. In the meantime, 22-year-old Sainz has been linked with a potential move to McLaren for 2018. But […]
Wolff argues against further penalty for Vettel
Jun.27 (GMM) Toto Wolff thinks Sebastian Vettel’s act of Baku ‘road rage’ should now be forgotten. As the Ferrari driver runs through his super license ‘penalty points’, there are rumours the FIA is still contemplating further sanctions for his apparent deliberate crash into Lewis Hamilton last Sunday. Auto Motor und Sport quoted a Baku race […]
Marko backs Vettel after ‘road rage’
Jun.27 (GMM) Not everyone is siding against Sebastian Vettel following his apparently deliberate crash into championship rival Lewis Hamilton in Baku. Most in F1, including the specialist press, pointed the finger of blame squarely at the Ferrari driver, after his apparent ‘road rage’ moment. “Vettel lost his nerve,” said Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. Corriere […]
McLaren could take Honda ‘break’ – Boullier
Jun.26 (GMM) McLaren’s team boss has admitted the British team could take a break from being powered by Honda engines in F1. Up and down the paddock, most insiders expect that a full McLaren-Honda divorce is on the cards. But it appears a trial separation could be a leading option instead. “On paper it’s a […]
‘Secret’ Stroll test not podium boost – father
Jun.26 (GMM) Lance Stroll enjoyed a ‘secret’ test between the recent Canadian and Azerbaijan grands prix. After a lacklustre start to his rookie season, Williams’ controversial rookie opened his points account in Montreal and was then on the podium at the end of the wild Baku race. Germany’s Auto Bild now reveals that, in between […]
Vettel under fire after Hamilton clash
Jun.26 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is under fire amid accusations he deliberately rammed championship rival Lewis Hamilton while behind the safety car in Baku. Vettel accused Mercedes driver Hamilton of ‘brake testing’ him, which damaged the German’s front wing and sent him into a rage. “If you were to do that on a public road you […]
Pirelli could introduce even softer tyre for 2018
Jun.25 (GMM) Grumblings about Pirelli have returned to the F1 paddock. Not too long ago, the complaint about the official F1 supplier was that its tyres degraded too quickly. But now, although grip has increased and drivers are able to push hard through a stint, the grumble is that the tyres being offered by Pirelli […]
Wolff slams Jordan’s ‘fake news’
Jun.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff has hit out at F1 media personality Eddie Jordan for perpetuating a rumour about Mercedes’ future in the sport. The German team recently rejected former team boss Jordan’s claim that Mercedes will pull out of formula one after next year. But now, Jordan has doubled down in Baku, saying not only […]
McLaren engine deal deadline looming – Wolff
Jun.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Mercedes needs to know if McLaren needs a customer engine supply for 2018 sometime “after the summer break”. Although Honda made a step forward in Baku, it is increasingly clear that McLaren and Fernando Alonso’s patience with the hapless Japanese supplier is up. “I think our opponents are even a […]
Vettel not injured – spokeswoman
Jun.25 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s spokeswoman has played down rumours about an injury for the world championship leader. At Baku, some have noticed that the Ferrari driver’s leg was bandaged. But his media assistant Britta Roeske told Speed Week: “There’s no reason for concern. “What people have seen was normal Kinesio taping. It is what Sebastian […]
Vettel contract speculation increases
Jun.25 (GMM) Speculation is mounting that Sebastian Vettel is on the cusp of extending his contract at Ferrari. While earlier the championship leader was quiet about his expiring deal, he is now being quoted as being more open about his comfort at the Italian team. “I have nothing to complain about,” he told La Gazzetta […]
Alonso management in Mercedes, Renault talks
Jun.25 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is clearly on the move. Throughout the Baku paddock and beyond, the McLaren-Honda driver’s management has been having talks with rival F1 teams. Flavio Briatore, who oversees the 35-year-old’s career, met for dinner with Mercedes chiefs Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda. Asked if the topic of Alonso came up over dinner, […]
Wolff plays down Ferrari oil ‘trick’ rumours
Jun.25 (GMM) Toto Wolff has played down suggestions the FIA might have taken away Ferrari’s secret weapon in 2017. As the teams arrived in Baku, a rumour did the rounds that Mercedes had asked the FIA to clarify the rules about adding oil to fuel. The rumour was that Ferrari had been taking advantage of […]
Grosjean plays down ‘spotters’ reports
Jun.24 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has played down reports suggesting the Haas team is using ‘spotters’ in Baku. In American oval-based racing, ‘spotters’ are positioned around the layout to let drivers know what is happening around them. And heading into the weekend in Azerbaijan, whose street layout features a 2km straight, reports suggested the American team […]
Brawn wants up to 13 teams in F1
Jun.24 (GMM) Ross Brawn has admitted F1 would like more teams to enter the sport. Recent rumours have suggested a prospective Chinese-backed team could be on the horizon, with FIA president Jean Todt saying a process could be launched to fill one or both of the current garage vacancies. “Our goal is that in the […]