F1 Tag

Team boss Eric Boullier has stated that McLaren “intends” to keep longtime F1 veteran Jenson Button for 2016. McLaren has an option on the 2009 world champion’s contract, but also has two youthful talents waiting in the wings in Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne. Both have made a case to be in a second car for McLaren, let alone another team on the grid, which is something Boullier and company might be entertaining. Similar to putting a player on loan in soccer, McLaren may put a transfer fee on theRead More

Mercedes were in a league of their own in the first practice session ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, with F1 championship leader Lewis Hamilton heading team-mate Nico Rosberg in a one-two for the German marque, with Hamilton finishing over 1.5s ahead of nearest non-Mercedes rival Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari. The opening practice session of the weekend at Monza began quietly and there were 13 minutes on the clock before Toro Rosso’s Max Verstappen set the first timed lap of the day. His team-mate Carlos Sainz was swiftly back toRead More

After facing a 105-place grid penalty at Spa-Francorchamps, McLaren braces for another rough weekend as they approach the ‘Temple of Speed’ for the Italian Grand Prix. In Belgium, Honda introduced an upgraded engine and brought into play two fresh power units. However, the decision to change power units once again in Monza is believed to be more of a strategic move to help increase the engine pool, instead of any technical issues. With the changes it means penalties once again for Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso. Button will serve aRead More

Mercedes has decided to use all of its engine development tokens for the Italian Grand Prix. The German manufacturer had not improved its power unit at any event previously this season, but the move is believed to help them in the long run. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will start Monza with its third power unit of the season, and has added changes that take up the seven remaining tokens the team had left available. The decision to use all of the tokens at Monza was more about the developmentRead More

Williams has confirmed that it will retain Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas for the 2016 Formula 1 season. The team had an option on Massa’s contract to extend his deal for another year, with expectations being that the Brazilian would stay on for a third consecutive season. Bottas had been linked and considered the heavy favorite to Kimi Raikkonen’s seat over at Ferrari, but with the Italian team picking up Raikkonen’s option for 2016 much of the talk surrounding the Williams driver has been relaxed in recent weeks. The moveRead More

After months of speculation on where he may land, it was announced Tuesday that Nico Hulkenberg signed a two-year contract extension and will stay on at Sahara Force India for 2016 and 2017 Formula 1 seasons. The German driver has made a home at the Silverstone-based squad, racing for them for much of his Formula 1 career. Originally a test driver for Force India, Hulkenberg raced with the team in 2012 before departing for Sauber for whom he raced one season for prior to returning. Hulkenberg’s name was linked toRead More

Red Bull Racing is aiming to keep Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat for the 2016 F1 season. Despite success against former teammate Sebastian Vettel last year, Ricciardo has struggled to best Kvyat, who scored the team’s best result this season in Hungary and is six points ahead of the Aussie in the championship standings. Team boss Christian Horner is keen to maintaining the current lineup together for years to come. “I don’t see any reason to change [the driver line-up],” said Horner. “We don’t have to be in any rushRead More

With many rumors swirling around the driver market, Force India is hoping to keep its current lineup of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg next year. Much of the driver market has been silent since Ferrari confirmed it will keep Kimi Raikkonen one more season, but the newly formed Haas F1 outfit is looking for experience to put in the cockpit as it begins its first season in 2016. Hulkenberg has been rumored to be on the team’s list of candidates, but Perez fits the bill just the same. Team bossRead More

The FIA has decided to remove a new curb at Eau Rouge prior to qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. With the drivers capable of cutting part of the left-hander at Radillion – the top of the climb at Eau Rouge – a larger curb w installed at the apex. With a number of events in GP2 and GP3 that saw several cars getting airborne momentarily after making contact with the curb, the FIA decided following a driver’s meeting to remove it. The FIA will now monitor any advantage gainedRead More

F1’s long summer break is finally coming to a close and the top tier of the sport is entering into its most wonderful part of the year, visiting Spa and then Monza. As the drivers, teams and media prepare for battle, let’s take a look back, 15 years ago to one of the greatest moves in F1 history, Mika Hakkinen on Michael Schumacher for victory. Ride along with the Flying Finn for one of his greatest moves. Enjoy.Read More