Jun.16 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg does not think he will be returning to Le Mans in “the foreseeable future”. Despite racing full-time in F1, the German is actually the fabled 24 hour endurance race’s reigning winner, having won for Porsche this time last year. But Hulkenberg cannot rejoin his Porsche teammates this weekend because Le Mans […]
Tilke denies Baku too dangerous for F1
Jun.16 (GMM) Hermann Tilke has played down fears F1’s newest venue in Baku might not be safe enough. As the sport’s travelling circus set up in the historic Azerbaijan capital this week, two respected journalists wondered whether F1 had compromised safety by green-lighting the fastest ever street circuit. Roger Benoit, writing for Blick, said the […]
Marchionne made F1 ‘rookie error’ – Berger
Jun.16 (GMM) Sergio Marchionne made a “typical rookie error” in predicting immediate wins in 2016 and the world championship title, according to former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger. So far, the Maranello team has failed to deliver on the bold promises made by its new president, causing some to wonder if that means team boss Maurizio […]
Ricciardo happy with Verstappen until 2018
Jun.16 (GMM) As news emerges that Red Bull’s driver lineup is now set in stone for the next two years, Daniel Ricciardo says he is happy alongside F1 teen sensation Max Verstappen. Although the Australian had been linked with a move to Ferrari, reports suggest Red Bull has definitely secured the 26-year-old until the end […]
F1 teams back Heineken deal amid controversy
Jun.16 (GMM) F1 teams have backed the sport’s new global sponsorship deal with Heineken. Believed to be worth up to $200 million for formula one and tipped to include an unprecedented scope, the Dutch beer brewer’s deal has also triggered controversy among campaigners who believe alcohol advertising should be banned. “F1 should ask themselves if […]
Top three teams pushing hard for title
Jun.16 (GMM) Toto Wolff says Mercedes will work hard to maintain its position at the top of the F1 tree. Lewis Hamilton left Montreal with a second consecutive win but boss Wolff says Mercedes’ rivals are getting perilously close. “The pace of Ferrari and Red Bull (in Canada) showed that the competition is right there […]
F1 sponsor deals ‘better than winning’ – Stewart
Jun.15 (GMM) Sir Jackie Stewart says bringing big companies like Heineken into formula one is “even better” than winning world titles. The F1 legend and triple world champion was instrumental to the multi-million dollar tie-up between the Dutch beer multinational and F1. He told Russia’s Championat that helping to conclude deals like that is “even […]
Grosjean urges Haas to fix wing flaw
Jun.15 (GMM) Romain Grosjean has urged Haas to get to the bottom of a recurring technical fault in 2016. More than once this year, the new American outfit has been halted by mysterious and dangerous failures to the front wing. The latest was in Montreal last weekend, so Grosjean told the French broadcaster Canal Plus: […]
Magnussen hopes contract talks start soon
Jun.15 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen hopes his talks with Renault about staying with the French works team beyond 2016 begin soon. After losing his place at McLaren, the Dane got his F1 career back on track this year by joining the Enstone based team, following the Lotus buyout. Renault has struggled so far in 2016 but […]
Nasr admits he could leave Sauber
Jun.15 (GMM) Felipe Nasr has played down suggestions he will definitely leave Sauber at the end of the season. As the Swiss team flounders beneath obvious financial strain, and Nasr’s relationship with teammate Marcus Ericsson hits rock bottom, recent reports suggested the Brazilian intends to take his sponsor Banco do Brazil elsewhere for 2017. But […]
Red Bull keeping same drivers in 2017 and 2018
Jun.15 (GMM) Red Bull is confirming that it will field an unchanged driver lineup in 2017. There had been increasing speculation that Daniel Ricciardo could be eyeing a move to Ferrari, which was music to the ears of Toro Rosso hopeful Carlos Sainz. “I’m here when Red Bull needs me,” Spanish reports quoted him as […]
Drivers lukewarm over new Baku layout
Jun.15 (GMM) F1 drivers have admitted they are not sure how much they will enjoy this weekend’s inaugural grand prix on the streets of Baku. The track in Azerbaijan has been billed as an ultra high speed street layout including an exciting, ultra-narrow run past the old city walls. But world champion Lewis Hamilton sounds […]
Ecclestone plays down latest Las Vegas reports
Jun.15 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed the latest reports about Las Vegas potentially joining an F1 calendar of the near future. Speculation that F1 might host more American races often does the rounds, but the latest word from Las Vegas was that an event on the world-famous ‘strip’ is more than just fantasy. However, Germany’s […]
New engine ‘another world’ for Red Bull – Horner
Jun.14 (GMM) Christian Horner says Montreal was proof that Red Bull is right back on track. After a resurgent showing for the former world champions in Barcelona and Monaco, Daniel Ricciardo warned that whether Renault’s engine upgrade had really delivered would only be clear on the long straights of Canada. Max Verstappen duly finished fourth […]
Minister says Baku could be on next 10 F1 calendars
Jun.14 (GMM) Baku could become a long-term feature of forthcoming F1 calendars, according to Azerbaijan’s sports minister Azad Rahimov. With an unique, narrow and ultra high speed street layout, the former Soviet republic will this weekend host its inaugural F1 race by reviving the European grand prix. However, the Azerbaijan news outlet ABC said ticket […]
Press says Ferrari victory now ‘within reach’
Jun.14 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel’s wish for an easier time from the Italian press after Canada was only partly delivered. As the Maranello team bounced back with a redesigned turbo and other innovations for Montreal, the German performed strongly all weekend but the win went begging due to a strategy error. Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene initially […]
Lauda backs Hamilton after latest Rosberg clash
Jun.14 (GMM) Niki Lauda has backed Lewis Hamilton after the first corner collision that Nico Rosberg admits left him “p—-d off” in Canada. After the crash and double-DNF of Barcelona, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff had warned that more contact between the silver-clad pair may result in team orders being imposed. Then in Montreal, Hamilton and […]
Arrivabene says Allison rumours show ‘disrespect’
Jun.13 (GMM) Maurizio Arrivabene has slammed as a sign of “disrespect” rumours Ferrari technical boss James Allison could soon leave the team. Reports have suggested that after the sudden death from meningitis of his wife in March, Allison is now considering an offer to return to Britain to be with his three children full-time. Until […]
Mayor working to secure Montreal’s F1 future
Jun.13 (GMM) Montreal mayor Denis Coderre says the city will move to secure the future of the Canadian grand prix. At the weekend, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone cast doubt on the future of the popular race by suggesting Montreal had failed to fulfil its pledge to update the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve’s ageing facilities. “We’ll see,” […]
Renault admits interest in Sainz
Jun.13 (GMM) Renault has admitted its interest in signing up Carlos Sainz for 2017. The first sign of the French marque’s interest was comments made a few days ago by F1 legend Alain Prost, who is an ambassador and advisor to the works Renault team. “I would like to see how he (Sainz) develops in […]