Sep.28 (GMM) Honda looks set to slow down the improvements to its engine made available to McLaren for the remaining races of 2017. It was confirmed in Singapore two weeks ago that the Japanese’s works partnership with McLaren will end, as Honda switches to Toro Rosso next year. Spain’s El Confidencial newspaper now quotes Honda […]
Month: September 2017
McLaren-Renault to benefit both sides in 2018 – Prost
Sep.28 (GMM) Alain Prost thinks the new McLaren-Renault alliance for 2018 will help both parties. It was finally confirmed a fortnight ago in Singapore that McLaren and Honda are splitting, with the British team tying up with Renault instead. Prost, who is a Renault advisor, says he sympathises with Honda’s struggle. “Quite honestly, even Renault […]
Vettel still believes he can beat Hamilton
Sep.28 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel does not think his championship hopes ended in Singapore. The German was widely criticised for causing the first lap crash that ultimately left him 28 points behind Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton with just six races to go. But Vettel told Sport Bild: “There are enough races left to catch up. “I am […]
Halo device to cost up to EUR 24,000 – report
Sep.27 (GMM) F1 teams are surprised about the high cost of the controversial ‘Halo’ safety devices that are mandatory for 2018. Although unpopular among many drivers, fans and insiders, the partial cockpit cover must be fitted to every car from next year. Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that, at present, three external companies have […]
Nasr admits F1 return unlikely
Sep.27 (GMM) Former Sauber driver Felipe Nasr says he wants to get back to racing next year. The Brazilian contested two seasons with the Swiss team until the end of last year, when his backer Banco do Brasil pulled out of the sport. Since then, the 25-year-old has been testing several cars. “I tested the […]
Sponsor says Kvyat out for ‘two races only’
Sep.27 (GMM) A Toro Rosso sponsor says Daniil Kvyat could be back in the car in a month. The junior Red Bull team has announced that Kvyat has been sidelined for “the next grands prix” to make way for young Frenchman Pierre Gasly. “The driver switch gives us an opportunity to make a more informed […]
F1 losing ‘toughest race’ on calendar – Hamilton
Sep.26 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton on Tuesday said F1’s “toughest race” will be missing on next year’s calendar. He is referring to Malaysia, where after almost 20 years in formula one the government has decided that 2017 will be the last race at the Sepang circuit. Sepang has become known as one of the hardest races […]
F1 to make cars louder with ‘microphone’
Sep.26 (GMM) F1 owner Liberty Media is backing an initiative to make the cars louder. Ever since the new ‘power unit’ era began in 2014, insiders and fans have complained that the loss of F1’s iconic high volume is hurting the sport. A sort of exhaust ‘megaphone’ was tested and abandoned, but last year the […]
Mercedes will not ‘cage’ polarising Hamilton
Sep.26 (GMM) Mercedes says it will continue to allow Lewis Hamilton to express his personality and opinions. In recent days, the triple world champion has continued to polarise fans with his forays into US politics, fashion, his celebrity status and even veganism. But team boss Toto Wolff said that from Mercedes’ point of view, Hamilton’s […]
Kubica not denying Williams rumours
Sep.26 (GMM) Robert Kubica has not denied speculation he is now in the running for the Williams race seat for 2018. Earlier, the former BMW and Renault driver was eyeing a return to F1 next year with Renault, following a spate of tests. But Germany’s Sport Bild said Renault ultimately opted for Carlos Sainz, after […]
F1 presses ahead with engine rule change
Sep.25 (GMM) F1 has resisted a push to call off a scheduled engine rule change for 2018. Earlier, with the end of this season now affected by a spate of confusing grid penalties, some argued that reducing the per-driver allocation of engines from 4 engines this year to 3 in 2018 was a bad idea. […]
Palmer set to keep Renault seat in 2017
Sep.25 (GMM) Jolyon Palmer looks set to keep his race seat at Renault for the rest of the 2018 season. Sources report that the British driver and his father Jonathan turned down the French team’s offer of $3 million to give up the seat to Carlos Sainz for the remaining six races of this year. […]
McLaren-Renault targets race win in 2018
Sep.25 (GMM) Eric Boullier thinks McLaren can make a swift return to the top step of the podium. The British team is splitting with Honda after three years deep in the midfield, but boss Boullier thinks Renault power is McLaren’s ticket to success as soon as 2018. “For 2018, our goal is to fight for […]
Marko ‘optimistic’ about Red Bull-Honda future
Sep.25 (GMM) Red Bull is “optimistic” about Honda’s future in formula one. With the energy drink company’s Renault connection flagging, junior team Toro Rosso is linking up with Honda next year. Some see it as an odd choice for Red Bull, given McLaren’s struggle to make a works partnership succeed in three difficult years. But […]
Vasseur admits Ericsson could leave Sauber
Sep.25 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur says Mercedes junior Pascal Wehrlein is still in the running to stay at Sauber next year. Earlier, German Wehrlein seemed resigned to losing his seat with the Swiss team, as Sauber looks to accommodate a junior promoted by engine supplier Ferrari. But it could be Marcus Ericsson who has to give […]
Sainz unsure of early Renault debut
Sep.22 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he still doesn’t know which car he will be racing in Malaysia next week. The Toro Rosso driver is being loaned to Renault for 2018, but there are reports he will kick off that adventure early by replacing Jolyon Palmer as soon as Sepang. Sainz, 23, told Spanish radio Onda […]
Earthquake will not stop Mexico GP – spokesman
Sep.22 (GMM) Next month’s grand prix in Mexico City looks set to go ahead, despite a devastating earthquake whose death toll is approaching 300. The circuit is currently being used as a staging area for humanitarian and rescue efforts, but the track surface and buildings appear to have escaped major damage. “It’s been inspected twice […]
Mateschitz ‘not tired’ of F1 – Berger
Sep.22 (GMM) Gerhard Berger has hit back at rumours Red Bull is getting “tired” of formula one. There have been paddock rumours the energy drink company’s chief Dietrich Mateschitz is making moves to distance himself from his two F1 teams. “That he is tired of formula one, I think is wrong,” Berger, who was Red […]
Vettel engine not damaged in crash – report
Sep.22 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s engine was not damaged in his first-lap Singapore crash last weekend. La Repubblica newspaper had reported that with his points deficit already blowing out to 28 points, Vettel might receive a further blow in the form of a grid penalty after photos showed damage to his Singapore power unit. But Germany’s […]
Renault ‘will part’ with Red Bull – boss
Sep.22 (GMM) Cyril Abiteboul has all but confirmed reports Renault and Red Bull will split after next season. It was rumoured in the Singapore paddock recently that the French supplier has already told the energy drink-owned team that it cannot use Renault power beyond 2018. Renault boss Abiteboul told the French magazine Auto Hebdo: “Sooner […]