Mar.12 (GMM) Christian Horner has chided Ferrari for holding F1 “to ransom”. The Red Bull boss is taking a hard position in reaction not only to Ferrari’s quit threat, but president Sergio Marchionne’s claim that Liberty Media knows nothing about F1 technology. “I think that’s disrespectful to Ross Brawn, one of the most successful engineers […]
Month: March 2018
Haas emerges as dark horse of 2018
Mar.12 (GMM) Haas has emerged as a dark horse favourite to finish ‘best of the rest’ behind the top three teams in 2018. Until recently, it appeared that Renault was clearly the strongest behind Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari. But former F1 driver Alex Wurz told Speed Week: “Haas makes a big impression on me. […]
‘Tension’ in Red Bull driver lineup – Wurz
Mar.12 (GMM) Alex Wurz says he detects “tension” between Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen. Comparing Red Bull’s lineup with those of the other two top teams, the former driver and GPDA boss said Ricciardo and Verstappen are the most explosive. “At Ferrari there is a clear division of roles,” the Austrian told Speed Week. “At […]
Newey staying at Red Bull
Mar.12 (GMM) Adrian Newey is staying at Red Bull, even though the former title-winning team has appointed a new technical director. France’s L’Equipe reported that Frenchman Pierre Wache has been appointed Red Bull’s technical boss. But Newey, one of F1’s most famous and successful designers, is staying as chief technology officer. Wache, who already had […]
McLaren defends ‘aggressive’ 2018 car
Mar.10 (GMM) McLaren has defended the ‘aggressive’ design of its 2018 car. Even after dumping Honda, the British team is still the team that endured the most troubled 2018 winter. Many believe the problem can be traced to the aggressive packaging of the orange car, with burn marks and emergency venting seen at the back […]
Renault defends legality of 2018 exhaust
Mar.10 (GMM) Renault has defended the legality of its 2018 car’s exhaust layout. At the rear of the yellow and black car, the engine exhaust is pointed upwards towards the rear wing, which has been reinforced with heat resistant material. And after running, the rear wing shows signs of heat charring, indicating that Renault is […]
Kubica to add Le Mans to 2018 programme
Mar.10 (GMM) Robert Kubica looks set to add Le Mans to his race programme in 2018. The Pole was scheduled to test the Williams in Barcelona on Friday, but he gave up his running for race driver Sergey Sirotkin. “It doesn’t matter if the team asked me or I voluntarily gave priority to the regular […]
Mercedes not one second ahead – Bottas
Mar.10 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has denied that Mercedes is a full second per lap ahead of F1’s other top teams heading into this month’s Australian grand prix. One analysis shows that while qualifying will be closer, the silver car may be a full second per lap faster than Red Bull in a race simulation or […]
Sainz ‘not surprised’ about Hulkenberg worry
Mar.9 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says he is “not surprised at all” with recent comments made by Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul. Days ago, Abiteboul said in Barcelona that after Jolyon Palmer was ousted, Sainz’s arrival at Renault was a sort of wake-up call for Nico Hulkenberg. “It did not wake him up,” the Frenchman said, “because […]
Happy Honda ‘calm’ after McLaren split
Mar.9 (GMM) Honda is feeling more “calm” after leaving McLaren. That is the claim of sources close to the Japanese manufacturer, as Honda appears to thrive at Toro Rosso and McLaren now struggles with Renault power. Asked if Honda is happy with its flawless winter testing performance with Toro Rosso, Japanese journalist Kaz Kawai told […]
No ‘physical barrier’ for women in F1 – Calderon
Mar.9 (GMM) A female F1 test driver says physical strength does not prevent women from racing at the pinnacle of motor sport. This week, Spanish driver and FIA ‘women in motor sport commission’ member Carmen Jorda triggered a controversy when she suggested women might want to focus on an easier series like Formula E. But […]
Sainz backs Renault’s ‘four engine’ plan
Mar.9 (GMM) Carlos Sainz has backed Renault’s deliberations over taking a strategic approach to the long-life engine rules of 2018. Over the winter, the rules have changed so that each driver may now use just three power units all season rather than the four that were allowed in 2017. But Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul, as […]
Vettel’s record pace does not worry Hamilton
Mar.9 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton on Thursday said he is not worried about the laptime put in by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel at the final Barcelona test. Vettel smashed the circuit record, but it is believed the German was in a qualifying simulation with the very softest Pirelli ‘hypersoft’ tyre. In contrast, Mercedes did not even order […]
Red Bull emerging as 2018 title contender
Mar.8 (GMM) Red Bull is emerging as a potential favourite for the 2018 world championship. After Mercedes’ Toto Wolff said on Tuesday that Red Bull is leading the testing pack, Daniel Ricciardo smashed the Barcelona circuit record on day two of the final winter test. “It’s very close between Ferrari, Red Bull and us,” Mercedes […]
Ericsson eyes Leclerc for reputation boost
Mar.8 (GMM) Marcus Ericsson thinks his new teammate could boost his reputation in F1. Since debuting in 2014, Swede Ericsson has established a reputation among the bottom half of the drivers on the grid. But he thinks 2017 and 2018 could change that. “Last year Pascal Wehrlein almost got a seat at Mercedes but actually […]
Brown not ruling out McLaren engine
Mar.8 (GMM) Zak Brown has played down suggestions McLaren could become a formula one engine supplier in 2021. Early this year, F1 talks will intensify about what the post-2021 engine regulations will look like. Talks have already upset Ferrari and Mercedes, and McLaren executive Brown said: “From the conservations I’ve had with Sergio (Marchionne) and […]
Alonso not worried about new start procedure
Mar.8 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says he is not worried about a new race start procedure for 2018. At the Barcelona test, drivers simulated a new procedure where a race is re-started from the grid on old tyres after a red flag stoppage. Afterwards, Romain Grosjean sounded the alarm. “It was like driving on slicks in […]
McLaren denies it’s in a post-Honda ‘crisis’
Mar.8 (GMM) Leading McLaren figures are denying the British team is still in crisis even after dumping Honda. Between 2015 and 2017, Honda got the blame for McLaren’s struggles. But the Japanese manufacturer is now at Toro Rosso, and having a trouble-free winter. “It’s logical that we are being compared to Toro Rosso,” McLaren executive […]
Kubica thinks modern F1 cars too heavy
Mar.8 (GMM) Robert Kubica thinks modern F1 cars need to trim some fat. The Pole is uniquely positioned to comment on today’s cars, having sat out the period between 2011 and 2017 with his arm injuries. “The first thing I noticed was the weight,” the new Williams tester told Auto Motor und Sport. “The cars […]
Hamilton helped broker Mercedes sponsor deal
Mar.7 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton helped bring a new sponsor to Mercedes. Bild newspaper reports that the quadruple world champion, a fashion aficionado, was involved in connecting New York label Tommy Hilfiger with his F1 team. “Lewis made contact last summer,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed. “It’s a brand he likes. We then managed to put […]