Feb.19 (GMM) While Barcelona echoed to the sound of turbo V6 engines on Thursday, behind-the-scenes developments were also making noise. Force India finally began its winter programme at the Circuit de Catalunya, but only with the 2014 car and Mercedes reserve Pascal Wehrlein at the wheel. Wehrlein was then called up by his works employer […]
Category: Recent stories
F1 rumours firing for Audi yet again
Feb.19 (GMM) Rumours are once again doing the rounds that the Volkswagen Group is eyeing a place on the F1 grid. But according to Germany’s respected Auto Motor und Sport, this time the speculation has a twist — and former world champions Red Bull may be playing a role. Now, the VW brand strongly linked […]
No quick fix to McLaren-Honda problems – Ramirez
Feb.19 (GMM) A crucial month lies ahead for the new McLaren-Honda collaboration. That is the obvious view from the outside, after the innovative MP4-30 struggled for pace and laps not only at Jerez, but also reportedly early this week at Barcelona, as the British-Japanese outfit conducted private ‘filming days’ with the troubled 2015 car. The […]
Hulkenberg, Perez prepare for Barcelona test
Feb.18 (GMM) The absent-in-Jerez Force India team is busily setting up for this week’s second pre-season test. As earlier reported, despite rumours of financial and supplier trouble, the Silverstone based outfit is conspicuously among its eight other peers at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. Missing, however, is the team’s 2015 car, the as-yet-unseen VJM08, amid reports […]
Champion trio to begin Barcelona action
Feb.18 (GMM) Three world champions will bring F1 track action back into life on Thursday. Reigning title winner Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and 2009 world champion Jenson Button will be among those in action on day one, as the second of just three pre-Melbourne winter tests begins in Barcelona. Red Bull, Williams, Toro Rosso, […]
F1 rejects rules revolution for 2016
Feb.18 (GMM) A rules revolution in formula one will have to wait, after the decision-making F1 Commission met in Geneva on Tuesday. As the body – comprising the teams, the FIA, Bernie Ecclestone and race promoters, suppliers and sponsors – met, Ferrari unveiled its vision of the future. The futuristic, computer-generated F1 concept car appeared […]
Sutil linked with Nissan seat for Le Mans
Feb.18 (GMM) Adrian Sutil could keep his top motor racing career alive in 2015 with a Le Mans seat. Late last year, the German veteran hinted he might take legal action against Sauber, as despite his 2015 contract the Swiss team signed pay-drivers Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson for this season. It was then a […]
Mercedes to decide token strategy before Melbourne
Feb.17 (GMM) A big unknown ahead of the 2015 season is how F1’s manufacturers will manage the new engine ‘unfreeze’. Earlier, Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and newcomer Honda were bound to freeze their respective 2015 specifications by Melbourne, but now they are freer to deploy performance development ‘tokens’ throughout the season. It triggered rumours Mercedes, so […]
F1 should ‘respect’ Alonso’s Ferrari exit – Campos
Feb.17 (GMM) Ferrari’s management situation led to the departure of number 1 driver Fernando Alonso. That is the view of Adrian Campos, a former F1 driver who in 2010 founded the team that became known as Hispania. The 54-year-old Spaniard now operates junior teams including a GP2 outfit, and spoke to the sports daily AS […]
McLaren still struggling to run 2015 car – reports
Feb.17 (GMM) McLaren-Honda may still be struggling to make progress. Exactly one month before Melbourne, the new British-Japanese works collaboration hit the track early in Barcelona, the scene of this week’s second test before the 2015 season opener. The official action does not kick off until Thursday, but Jenson Button was in action on Monday […]
F1 ‘appeal’ has diminished – Friesacher
Feb.17 (GMM) Former Minardi driver Patrick Friesacher has joined the ranks who argue F1 took a sharp wrong turn. The Austrian, now 34, drove for the Faenza based backmarker in 2005, qualifying and finishing last at the famous six-car US grand prix. Speaking to the Servus TV broadcaster, Friesacher admitted that while he retains his […]
Ricciardo admits Ferrari looking ‘strong’
Feb.17 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo, the only non-Mercedes driver to win races last year, has admitted he might have a new rival in 2015. After the 2014 season, in which the Australian finished third overall and single-handedly prevented a 100 per cent winning record for Mercedes, the 25-year-old said he was eyeing a full title tilt […]
FIA study shows F1 costs could be halved – report
Feb.17 (GMM) A study commissioned by the FIA reportedly shows that costs in formula one could be halved without hurting the ‘show’. With Caterham and Marussia ailing and even better-funded midfielders struggling financially, it emerged on Tuesday that New York-based McKinsey and Company, a multinational consulting firm, recently examined the finances of nine F1 teams […]
Manor pays 2015 fee, FIA leaves door open – report
Feb.17 (GMM) Manor, formerly known as Marussia, is plotting its course for a 2015 return. Earlier, the backmarker appeared doomed, as administrators auctioned equipment and the 2016 entrant Haas moved into its Banbury headquarters. But last week, there were crucial signs of life. ‘Manor F1 Team’ emerged on the internet and with official social media […]
Vettel like ‘carbon copy’ of Schumacher – Arrivabene
Feb.17 (GMM) The true 2015 pecking order will still not become clear at this week’s Barcelona test. That is the view of new Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene, after the Italian team surprisingly topped the times at the first test of the winter at Jerez. Now, the sport is setting up at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, […]
F1 Commission to consider future on Tuesday
Feb.17 (GMM) F1 will round another corner to the future on Tuesday. Writing for Brazil’s Globo, respected correspondent Livio Oricchio reports that the topic of a dramatic change of regulations will be debated during the F1 Commission meeting in Geneva on Tuesday. On the table is a 1,000 horse power engine formula and significantly different […]
Ferrari reveals vision of F1 future
Feb.17 (GMM) Just as the F1 Commission meets in Geneva, Ferrari has outlined its vision of the sport’s future. Earlier in February, the powerful Strategy Group met to discuss plans to spice up F1 with powerful and noisy engines, and more aggressive looking cars. At that meeting, Red Bull and McLaren reportedly tabled aggressive-looking drawings […]
F1 struggles hurt Ferrari brand power – study
Feb.17 (GMM) On-track struggles in formula one have hurt fabled Ferrari’s brand power, according to a study by asset valuation company Brand Finance. Last year, Ferrari retained its post as the most powerful brand in the world, but a newly-published list shows that toy company Lego has made an overtaking move. “Ferrari has been slipping […]
F1 management is ‘blockage’ for sponsors – Lopez
Feb.16 (GMM) Gerard Lopez has hit out at F1’s “archaic management”. Refuting rumours he is looking for new investors to replace the Lotus boss, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone earlier this month insisted the Luxembourger is “a friend”. But Lopez, who at the end of last season was leading the charge as angry midfield teams demanded […]
Nasr defends lack of success in GP2
Feb.16 (GMM) Felipe Nasr has defended his move into formula one this year despite not matching the success of others in the sport’s feeder category. The Brazilian will make his debut next month in the new Sauber, which in 2015 bears the prominent colours of his personal sponsor, Banco do Brasil. But Nasr, 22, is […]