Nov.14 (GMM) When it comes to the issue of ‘grid boys’ in formula one, it appears Sebastian Vettel and Niki Lauda agree. Earlier in Brazil, following Lauda’s claims about Ferrari ending Mercedes’ engine dominance, Vettel said the Austrian legend often “doesn’t make any sense”. Lauda said he has clarified the matter with Vettel. But when […]
Teams bickering over 2017 tyre testing – report
Nov.14 (GMM) F1 teams are bickering over how best to prepare for the radically-different technical rules for 2017. It is expected that the draft regulations will be presented at the strategy group meeting on 24 November, with wider cars and tyres to slash up to 5 seconds per lap off the average laptime of today. […]
Another Piquet steps close to F1
Nov.14 (GMM) Yet another driver with a famous surname is moving up the racing ladder towards F1. In 2014, Max Verstappen used the European F3 team owned by Dutchman Frits van Amersfoort as his springboard into formula one this year. In its German F4 outfit, van Amersfoort has this year been running Mick Schumacher, the […]
Storm batters Interlagos circuit
Nov.11 (GMM) A fierce storm battered the Interlagos circuit after nightfall on Friday. Local reports say a grandstand roof at the Senna S was damaged amid the wind, heavy rain, thunder and lightning, with work to repair it complicated by power cuts. “Repairs will be made overnight, with all necessary measures taken,” said circuit spokesperson […]
Schumacher fan club chief slams Hamilton ‘damage control’
Nov.9 (GMM) The president of Michael Schumacher’s fan club has refused to accept Lewis Hamilton’s denial that he disrespected the seven time world champion. Last week, the fan club president Reiner Ferling caused a stir when he warned Hamilton that “Pride comes before a fall”, after a German tabloid quoted the new triple world champion […]
Ferrari re-opens door to working with Red Bull
Nov.9 (GMM) Ferrari has re-opened the door to helping solve Red Bull’s engine supply crisis. Earlier, it was believed the Italian team had the same view as Mercedes and McLaren-Honda in not being willing to supply ‘power units’ to the energy drink outfit in 2016. But it believed the junior outfit Toro Rosso is in […]
Loss-making McLaren compensates Whitmarsh, Mercedes
Nov.9 (GMM) A $15 million pay-out to former boss Martin Whitmarsh contributed to the financial loss recorded by McLaren last year. Writing for Forbes, F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said the latest financial statements for 2014 showed McLaren paid “compensation for (the) loss of office of a director”, which surely must be Whitmarsh. Overall, McLaren […]
Raikkonen plays down ‘clash of the Finns’
Nov.9 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has moved to dismiss the lingering controversy following a couple of on and off-track run-ins with countryman Valtteri Bottas. Sections of the media, particularly in their native Finland, had billed it a “clash of the Finns”, after an on-track clash at Sochi and then again in Mexico just three weeks later. […]
Hakkinen hopes Aston Martin rumours are right
Nov.9 (GMM) Mika Hakkinen is crossing his fingers reports that Force India is set to become ‘Aston Martin’ are true. Ahead of the recent Mexican grand prix, Force India supremo Vijay Mallya confirmed reports he is in talks with the British luxury carmaker. It is suggested a naming sponsorship deal, also involving the current McLaren […]
Raikkonen not bothered by criticism
Nov.9 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says he is not bothered that many are beginning to regard him as the ‘number 2’ at Ferrari. At the team’s Finale Mondiali event at Mugello, the Finn insisted that the Maranello team no longer operates a policy of driver inequality. Nonetheless, German Vettel is now regarded by many as the […]
Zandvoort eyes F1 return for Dutch GP
Nov.8 (GMM) Holland is the latest former F1 host nation looking to return to the calendar. While the sport has headed to new venues in Asia and the Middle East in recent years with mixed success, more traditional former hosts including Austria and Mexico have mounted popular comebacks. The Netherlands could now be next. Zandvoort, […]
Hamilton denies disrespecting Schumacher
Nov.7 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has denied disrespecting seven time world champion Michael Schumacher. Earlier this week, the president of the F1 legend’s fan club slammed Hamilton after the Briton was quoted as saying he won his three titles “with my natural abilities only”, without resorting to “the things that Michael did”. New triple world champion […]
Lauda denies tension with Toto Wolff
Nov.7 (GMM) Niki Lauda has dismissed reports he is at loggerheads with fellow Mercedes chief Toto Wolff. “Sources have told The Times that Lauda is considering quitting the team, possibly as soon as the end of the season,” the London-based newspaper reported shortly after the Mexican grand prix. But Lauda, the triple world champion who […]
Illien plays down Red Bull engine solution rumours
Nov.6 (GMM) Mario Illien has played down speculation he will play a central role as Red Bull ends its engine supply crisis and races into 2016. With Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren-Honda declining to help the embattled former champions, it is suggested a novel solution to Red Bull’s problem has been devised. It will reportedly involve […]
Williams not siding with European complaint
Nov.6 (GMM) Williams has indicated it has no intention of joining the complaint filed with the European Commission about the governance of formula one. Two independent teams, Force India and Sauber, have said their complaint is about the alleged unfairness of the rule-making strategy group, and the distribution of income among so-called ‘privileged’ and ‘non-privileged’ […]
Renault to announce Lotus buyout in Abu Dhabi – report
Nov.6 (GMM) Renault looks set to announce its return to full works team status in formula one at the Abu Dhabi finale next month. Citing sources, that was the claim on Friday of Michael Schmidt, the highly respected correspondent for Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone warned that “It could be December […]
Mexico will be more exciting in future – Tilke
Nov.6 (GMM) F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke says he had “goose bumps” when he witnessed the passion stirred up by Mexico’s F1 return last weekend. But the German, whose company was responsible for the revamping of the old Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, told Auto Motor und Sport he was also happy with how the facility was […]
Haas almost signed Magnussen for 2016
Nov.5 (GMM) Ousted McLaren reserve Kevin Magnussen’s tattered F1 career was almost rescued by Haas, it has emerged. After a single year of racing, and then serving as reserve for most of 2015, the 23-year-old Dane has been ousted by McLaren. “He came in and they (McLaren) ruined his career unfortunately,” current Force India star […]
Teams will be happy with Interlagos upgrade – Ecclestone
Nov.5 (GMM) F1 team equipment is beginning to arrive at an upgraded Interlagos circuit ahead of next weekend’s penultimate round of the 2015 season. Bernie Ecclestone joined Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad at the circuit on Wednesday to inspect the brand new team office building and slightly expanded paddock area. “It was the worst circuit […]
Rosberg revival too late for 2015 ‘show’ – Ecclestone
Nov.5 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone on Wednesday said he is continuing to work hard to improve the F1 ‘show’. The F1 supremo was speaking at Interlagos, where next weekend Brazilians will flock to the penultimate round of the season despite already knowing the outcome of the title battle. Ecclestone agreed that 2015 has been too one-sided. […]