Jan.23 (GMM) Ousted former long-time Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo’s next project could be to secure the 2024 summer Olympics for Rome. Ansa news agency and La Repubblica newspaper said the 67-year-old Italian, now chief executive of the Alitalia airline, could be unveiled in the role shortly. “It’s not my job to (choose) but I […]
Rookie duo admits Hamilton favourite in 2015
Jan.23 (GMM) When it comes to two crucial questions about F1, Toro Rosso’s all-rookie lineup is unanimous. When asked to name the best current driver on the grid, Max Verstappen answered: “Alonso.” And his 2015 teammate, another grand prix debutant and a Spaniard, Carlos Sainz jr, agreed: “Fernando, of course.” But their answer, whilst also […]
Chilton eyes Indycar debut for 2016
Jan.23 (GMM) Max Chilton will this year keep his motor racing career alive in America. The 23-year-old Briton raced for Marussia in 2013 and 2014, but the backmarker team collapsed late last year and is now clinging to survival mere weeks before the new season. So it has been announced that Chilton will assist his […]
Nurburgring still in talks with Ecclestone
Jan.23 (GMM) The Nurburgring is still in talks with Bernie Ecclestone about hosting the 2015 German grand prix as scheduled. The F1 supremo has said that amid the circuit’s financial and ownership troubles, this year’s race in the country will either be held at Hockenheim or not at all. But a spokesman for the Nurburgring […]
Kubica forms own world rally team
Jan.23 (GMM) Robert Kubica has launched his own team to contest the world rally championship in 2015. The Pole’s F1 career ended when he almost severed his hand in a 2011 pre-season rallying crash. But he has since returned to driving, this time in the highest category in the world of rallying. And in 2015, […]
Todt sues Streiff over Bianchi comments
Jan.23 (GMM) FIA president Jean Todt is suing former F1 driver Philippe Streiff. Having already attracted controversy with comments about Michael Schumacher’s condition, former Renault driver and Frenchman Streiff on Thursday attacked Todt for his handling of the report about Jules Bianchi’s crash. Later on Thursday, in an official statement issued by F1’s governing body, […]
F1 might not race in Germany this year – Ecclestone
Jan.22 (GMM) Germany could be removed from the F1 calendar altogether, Bernie Ecclestone has warned. Earlier, amid the Nurburgring’s financial and ownership troubles, the F1 supremo said it was likely Hockenheim would return in 2015 to host the German grand prix. But officials for both German circuits responded by insisting they do not have contracts […]
Lauda says Hamilton contract reports ‘nonsense’
Jan.22 (GMM) Niki Lauda has rubbished reports Lewis Hamilton has been offered the most lucrative contract in F1 to keep him at Mercedes beyond 2015. Italy’s respected La Gazzetta dello Sport last week claimed the German team “has prepared a three-year renewal (for Hamilton) for a fixed EUR 20 million per season”, including big bonuses […]
Force India shows new livery, 2015 nose
Jan.22 (GMM) Force India has become the next F1 team to unveil its new look for the 2015 season. Some had expected that, at an event in Mexico City on Wednesday, the Silverstone based team would reveal its new car, the VJM08. In fact, Force India will not begin to test its new machine until […]
Streiff blasts FIA over Bianchi report
Jan.22 (GMM) Former F1 driver Philippe Streiff has launched a stinging tirade against FIA president Jean Todt. Streiff, who was paralysed in a 1989 pre-season crash, triggered controversy late last year when he claimed to know details of the medical condition of the great Michael Schumacher. Those claims were denied by Schumacher’s inner circle, but […]
Dominant Mercedes ‘stressed’ ahead of 2015 – Lauda
Jan.22 (GMM) Although Mercedes utterly dominated in 2014, team chairman Niki Lauda is still looking into the new season with trepidation. For one thing, the F1 legend and triple world champion cannot understand the sport’s looming schedule for pre-season testing. “Everyone at Brackley is stressed,” Lauda admitted to Austria’s Salzburger Nachrichten. “There are many things […]
Toto Wolff injures knee in training fall
Jan.22 (GMM) Toto Wolff is recovering from yet another injury, it has emerged in the Austrian media. Last summer, the Mercedes team boss returned to the paddock wearing a sling, after badly breaking his arm in a road cycling crash. And according to Salzburger Nachrichten, Wolff is now recovering from yet another injury, having suffered […]
Ferrari must improve after difficult start – Elkann
Jan.22 (GMM) Fiat chairman John Elkann has joined Sergio Marchionne in admitting Ferrari will get off to a difficult start in 2015. Amid the Maranello marque’s revolutionary shake-up, new president Marchionne, also head of the Fiat-Chrysler parent, admitted Ferrari can only expect to put in better performances towards the end of the forthcoming championship. Now, […]
Ecclestone hopeful but Haas not rescuing Marussia
Jan.22 (GMM) The new 2016 team Haas has denied rumours it is the mystery investor looking into rescuing Marussia. American Gene Haas, also the owner of a Nascar team, has acquired the ailing backmarker’s Banbury factory and some of its assets ahead of its own grand prix debut next season. But with reports in the […]
‘Time will come’ for Ocon after Lotus snub
Jan.22 (GMM) F1 hopeful Esteban Ocon might be forgiven for feeling disappointed about the latest signing at Lotus. The 18-year-old Frenchman beat the likes of Toro Rosso rookie Max Verstappen to the highly-respected FIA European F3 title last year. At the same time, his stock was rising at Lotus, where he is under contract to […]
Now McLaren gives preview of 2015 design
Jan.21 (GMM) McLaren looks to be the next team giving a sneak preview of its 2015 car. Williams has revealed a rendered photo of its new car, the Mercedes-powered FW37, on the cover of the latest edition of British magazine F1 Racing. McLaren’s hint about the shape of its newly Honda-powered MP4-30, meanwhile, is much […]
Hamilton’s father eyes F1 return for Africa
Jan.21 (GMM) World champion Lewis Hamilton’s father is involved in plans to revive a South African grand prix. Since splitting as Lewis’ manager, Anthony Hamilton has worked on other projects, including managing Paul di Resta and pioneering the so-called ‘Info wing’ that was tested by Force India at the end-of-season Abu Dhabi test. Now, Press […]
Honda still not happy with ‘unfreeze’ ruling
Jan.21 (GMM) F1 returnee Honda this year may be allowed to do just a quarter of the engine development of its 2015 rivals Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault. After initially being left out of the new engine ‘unfreeze’, the FIA relented and has permitted the Japanese manufacturer to do some in-season upgrading this year. The FIA’s […]
Rumour – Haas to rescue Marussia for 2015
Jan.21 (GMM) Is Gene Haas the mysterious investor looking into rescuing Marussia? The Nascar team co-owner, who is entering formula one in 2016, is already linked with the ailing backmarker as he has bought team equipment from administrators looking to raise money to pay back Marussia’s creditors. Rumours also suggest he has acquired Marussia’s Banbury […]
Williams reveals 2015 car on magazine cover
Jan.21 (GMM) Williams has given F1 fans an early glimpse of its new car, as the once-great British team eyes a return to the top step of the podium in 2015. The Grove outfit was the surprise of last season, bursting up the ranks from ninth in 2013 to third in 2014, and now singled […]