Nov.4 (GMM) F1’s Swiss-based team will survive even if it loses its Alfa Romeo backing. That is the claim of Ossi Oikarinen, a former BMW Sauber engineer who is now a pundit for Finnish broadcaster C More. Rumours in Austin suggested that amid the Hinwil based team’s current performance slump, Alfa Romeo – having only […]
Month: November 2019
Steiner would welcome F1 engine freeze
Nov.4 (GMM) Gunther Steiner has backed discussions about a potential engine development freeze in Formula 1. As the sport looks towards brand new rules for 2021, it is also being suggested that development of the normal combustion elements of the ‘power units’ should be frozen. “I’m not involved in the talks, but there are examples […]
No more McLaren testing for Alonso – Seidl
Nov.4 (GMM) McLaren has also closed the door to a test role for Fernando Alonso. In Austin, team supremo Zak Brown suggested there is no room at the Woking team for a 2021 return for Spaniard Alonso, who quit at the end of last year. And even though Alonso did some testing for McLaren this […]
Hulkenberg and manager deny DTM switch rumours
Nov.4 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg has played down reports linking him with a switch to DTM in 2020. The press on Sunday reported rumours in Austin that the Renault driver has definitely failed to secure a F1 race seat for 2020. Instead, he has reportedly accepted an offer from BMW to switch to the German touring […]
2020 to be F1’s most expensive year ‘ever’ – Horner
Nov.4 (GMM) Christian Horner thinks 2020 could be “the most expensive year ever in Formula 1”. The Red Bull-Honda team boss’ recent proposal to delay the new rules until 2022, a year after the budget cap comes into force, was rejected. “We are all busy with two types of car because of these regulations,” Horner […]
Ferrari hits back at ‘cheating’ accusation
Nov.4 (GMM) Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has hit back at Max Verstappen’s “cheating” accusation. In Austin, amid suspicions about Ferrari’s powerful engine, Red Bull-Honda requested a clarification about a technical trick relating to fuel flow. The FIA responded with a technical directive, and Ferrari subsequently suffered an apparent drop in form not only in qualifying […]
Kvyat says F1 helmet colour rule ‘unnecessary’
Nov.3 (GMM) Daniil Kvyat says he does not want to get involved in a fight between the drivers and the FIA over a controversial helmet rule. At his home race in Russia, the Toro Rosso driver was forbidden from using a special livery because of the rule allowing only one helmet colour change per season. […]
McLaren closes door on Alonso’s F1 return
Nov.3 (GMM) McLaren has apparently closed the door to a Formula 1 return for Fernando Alonso. Alonso, who quit at the end of last year, said this week that he would study the 2021 regulations in view of a potential return. But McLaren supremo Zak Brown said in Austin: “We have a clear direction in […]
Ricciardo defends bumpy Austin circuit
Nov.3 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has defended the bumpy Austin circuit. Multiple F1 drivers have railed against the bumps this weekend. Lewis Hamilton said he had to lie down with a severe headache on Friday, and Max Verstappen said he was worried about the health of his back. Sergio Perez called it “unacceptable” and “dangerous” for […]
Latifi not confirming 2020 Williams race deal
Nov.3 (GMM) Nicholas Latifi is not willing to confirm that he will make his Formula 1 race debut with Williams in 2020. Le Journal de Montreal newspaper is certain that the well-funded 24-year-old Canadian will be George Russell’s next teammate. But Latifi, whose billionaire father Michael co-owns McLaren, is not admitting that. “It’s too early […]
Positives of F1 return ‘overshadowed’ – Kubica
Nov.3 (GMM) Robert Kubica says he succeeded in his mission to once again be seen as a Formula 1 driver in his own right. The Pole returned to the grid in 2019 after an eight year absence with permanent right arm injuries. But the hype of that return soon faded when it was clear that […]
Top teams will keep advantage in 2021 – Binotto
Nov.3 (GMM) Mattia Binotto has warned that the 2021 regulations will turn out to be an “advantage” for the biggest teams. When the new rules were finally revealed on Thursday, Formula 1 declared that they will lead to “a more balanced competition”, where success is about “how well a team spends its money, not how […]
FIA ruling may have stopped Ferrari engine advantage
Nov.3 (GMM) World champion Lewis Hamilton suspects the FIA might be getting to the bottom of Ferrari’s engine power advantage. Ever since the Maranello team took a giant leap forward with its 2019 power unit, rumours have swept the paddock that its technical secret may be illegal. “They should protest!” Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto said this […]
Top drivers big winners of F1 budget cap – Marko
Nov.2 (GMM) The drivers could be the big financial winners of the newly-released rules for 2021. After a long and controversial period of uncertainty, Liberty Media finally unveiled the rules in Austin. But the sage doesn’t end there. On November 5, negotiations over the next Concorde Agreement begin. And although Ferrari did not use its […]
F1 drivers not happy with 2020 tyres
Nov.2 (GMM) Formula 1 drivers are not impressed with Pirelli’s 2020 tyres. The drivers got their first taste of next year’s tyres during Friday practice in Austin, but their biggest complaint was actually about the circuit. “They’re not bumps, they’re ski jumps,” said Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton said he had to lie down after […]
F1 calendar ‘already too long’ – Hamilton
Nov.2 (GMM) 25 races per season is too many for Formula 1. That was the near-unanimous opinion of those in the Austin paddock, after Liberty Media successfully negotiated the new allowed maximum for the 2021 rules. Chase Carey, however, immediately allayed fears about 25-race calendars by saying he simply wants “more leeway” in the regulations. […]
Kubica rejects Alfa Romeo rumour
Nov.2 (GMM) Robert Kubica has dismissed rumours he is in talks with Alfa Romeo about 2020. The departing Williams driver, backed by the Polish oil company PKN Orlen, has also been linked with test, reserve, simulator and development roles at Racing Point and Haas. “I did not talk to Alfa Romeo,” Kubica said in Austin. […]
Lehto puzzled by Raikkonen’s form slump
Nov.2 (GMM) Former F1 driver JJ Lehto is puzzled by Kimi Raikkonen’s sudden slump in form. The 2007 world champion and former Ferrari driver started 2010 in strong form, but is now being regularly challenged by teammate Antonio Giovinazzi. But Alfa Romeo has also slumped to eighth in the constructors’ championship. “I wonder what the […]
Hulkenberg ‘not right’ for Williams switch
Nov.2 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says he is not switching to Williams. The 32-year-old admits that after losing his Renault seat for 2020, he could bow out of Formula 1 forever. He says talks with Alfa Romeo have taken place, but played down any link to the F1 backmarker Williams, where he started his F1 career […]
Latifi to race for Williams in 2020 – report
Nov.2 (GMM) Nicholas Latifi will reportedly replace Robert Kubica at Williams in 2020. The 24-year-old Canadian, whose father is the wealthy McLaren co-owner Michael Latifi, is already driving the Williams on Friday in Mexico, Austin and Brazil. And Le Journal de Montreal says he will definitely race in 2020. “The contract is well and truly […]