Jul.19 (GMM) Andreas Seidl says McLaren cannot return to title-winning form unless Formula 1 changes. The German, who arrives from Porsche’s Le Mans programme to be the new McLaren team boss, was last in F1 a decade ago with BMW. He told France’s Auto Hebdo that his first job is to maximise McLaren’s current potential. […]
Month: July 2019
Alonso says F1 still ‘not attractive enough’
Jul.19 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has played down speculation that he is pushing for a return to Formula 1. The Spaniard, who quit McLaren and the sport last year, has indicated he might be interested in returning with a top team capable of winning. But he is now quoted by Spain’s EFE news agency as suggesting […]
Bottas must work harder to beat Hamilton – Rosberg
Jul.18 (GMM) The “only way” Valtteri Bottas can beat Lewis Hamilton is for the Finn to work harder. That is the view of Nico Rosberg, who says he learned that lesson when he was Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate between 2013 and 2016. Rosberg actually won the 2016 title before immediately retiring, and he says he is […]
McLaren denies Renault-only ‘party mode’
Jul.18 (GMM) McLaren boss Andreas Seidl has denied that Renault’s works team has a “party mode” setting that is not available to its customer. After Silverstone, McLaren’s Carlos Sainz said he was surprised by the top speed achieved by Daniel Ricciardo in the works car, even though they theoretically use exactly the same engine. But […]
Alfa Romeo confirms designer Resta’s exit
Jul.18 (GMM) The path is clear for Simone Resta to return to Ferrari as chief designer. Alfa Romeo has now confirmed Resta’s departure as technical boss, to be replaced by the team’s existing aerodynamics chief on August 1. Specialist publications say Resta, who only switched to Alfa Romeo last year, will then do some mandatory […]
Zandvoort will ‘surprise’ with exciting racing
Jul.18 (GMM) The designer in charge of revamping Zandvoort for 2020 says the Dutch GP can be surprisingly exciting. After a thrilling race at Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton suggested he was not looking forward to Zandvoort’s return to the calendar next year. “There are ones (circuits) that they are selecting for the future that we’re going […]
Vettel should be Leclerc’s number 2 – Baldisserri
Jul.18 (GMM) Ferrari should consider making Sebastian Vettel the ‘number 2’ driver behind Charles Leclerc. That is the view of former highly-experienced Ferrari engineer Luca Baldisserri, who was speaking after Vettel’s latest performance at Silverstone which sections of the Italian media called “disastrous”. “I think Vettel is an overrated driver and not Schumacher’s heir,” Baldisserri […]
Russell ‘not worried’ about reputation
Jul.18 (GMM) George Russell says he is “not worried” that the start of his F1 career sees him stranded at the back of the grid. The other rookies that are doing well in 2019, like Alex Albon and Lando Norris, were actually beaten to the Formula 2 title by Briton Russell last year. “No, I’m […]
FIA vows to improve 2021 front wing aesthetics
Jul.18 (GMM) The FIA is still working on the design of the front nose and wing of the chassis regulations for 2021. This week, drawings of the proposed layout prescribed in the soon-to-be-announced 2021 technical regulations were published on the F1 and FIA websites. To promote overtaking, the 2021 cars will produce a so-called ‘ground […]
W Series champion to get Super Licence points
Jul.18 (GMM) Female drivers in the new all-women ‘W Series’ championship will get points towards a Formula 1 Super Licence. “If what we are about is getting our drivers into the upper echelons of motorsport, especially into Formula 1, this represents an absolute sea change in opportunities for women,” said the series’ CEO Catherine Bond […]
No manufacturer has broken 1000hp barrier yet
Jul.18 (GMM) No engine manufacturer in Formula 1 has reached the magic ‘1000 horsepower’ figure yet. That is the claim of a Mercedes engineer, according to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. Over the last year or two, there have often been reports in the media about Mercedes or Ferrari breaking through the four-digit horsepower barrier. […]
Mexico set to get new F1 race deal
Jul.18 (GMM) Mexico could be set to escape Liberty Media’s race axe. The F1 owner wants to keep the 2020 calendar at 21 races, even though new venues Zandvoort and Vietnam will be added to the schedule. So with Silverstone getting a new contract and Monza set to follow, it means Barcelona and Hockenheim look […]
Plans for 2021 cars finally emerge
Jul.17 (GMM) Detailed information about the highly anticipated and delayed technical regulations for 2021 has finally emerged. The teams have already agreed a $175 budget cap with Liberty Media and the FIA. “We’re all meeting this week in Geneva,” said McLaren boss Andreas Seidl. On the agenda are the technical and sporting rules, although it […]
Speculation about Williams’ 2020 lineup ‘too early’
Jul.17 (GMM) Speculation about Williams’ 2020 driver lineup has arrived “too early”. That is the view of team boss Claire Williams, amid suggestions the struggling Grove team is looking for a replacement for Robert Kubica. On his return to F1 after eight years, Kubica has struggled alongside rookie George Russell, with some believing Williams could […]
Bottas says he ‘deserves’ to stay at Mercedes
Jul.17 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas says he wants to remain Lewis Hamilton’s teammate in 2020. Earlier, the Finn’s chances of a new deal appeared slim, following his disappointing 2018 campaign. But Bottas has looked stronger and more consistent this season, and at Silverstone was genuinely a match for world champion Hamilton throughout the weekend. He says […]
Gene Haas won’t quit amid nightmare F1 season – boss
Jul.17 (GMM) Haas’ team boss has played down suggestions the American outfit could close down amid its nightmarish 2019 season. The small outfit has been the most affected by Pirelli’s difficult-to-understand 2019 tyres. And now it is embroiled in a bizarre saga surrounding its controversial title sponsor. The latest installation in the Rich Energy affair […]
Petrobras-backed driver linked with Williams
Jul.16 (GMM) Williams could be lining up a replacement for its struggling race driver Robert Kubica. Brazil’s UOL reports that Sergio Sette Camara, currently fourth overall in Formula 2, has backing for the role by his sponsor Petrobras. Petrobras, a Brazilian oil company, currently sponsors McLaren, where the 21-year-old is a test driver. But when […]
F1 selecting tracks for ‘money’ not racing
Jul.16 (GMM) F1’s drivers should have more say about which circuits host the races. That is the view of Lewis Hamilton, following earlier criticism about ‘boring’ grands prix in 2019. But in Austria and again Silverstone, the races were thrilling — and Hamilton says that is more to do with the actual tracks than the […]
Steiner pondering Haas lineup ‘chemistry’
Jul.16 (GMM) Speculation is ramping up that Haas will wave goodbye to one of its drivers. Already struggling with the Pirelli tyre situation and in a new war with the team’s own title sponsor, boss Gunther Steiner could not hide his fury after Silverstone. “I don’t want to blame one of them right now, but […]
Italy loses faith in ‘disastrous’ Vettel
Jul.16 (GMM) The Italian press has lost faith in Ferrari’s current number 1 driver, Sebastian Vettel. Charles Leclerc battled for victory in Austria and raced spectacularly at Silverstone, while his teammate Vettel was outqualified and then slammed into Max Verstappen in the race. “Ferrari has a new leader,” said the authoritative La Gazzetta dello Sport. […]