May 2011 Archive
Bahrain pushing to reclaim F1 race in 2011
May 31 (GMM) Bahrain is ready to host formula one, the chairman of the island Kingdom's grand prix circuit declared on Tuesday. It is the eve of the end of martial law in the troubled state, and two days before the FIA meets to discuss the possible r...
FIA ‘gathering information’ after Hamilton outburst
May 31 (GMM) The FIA is keeping a close eye on the aftermath of Lewis Hamilton's Monaco grand prix. After the McLaren driver's two penalties for crashes in the Principality, he returned to the track late on Sunday to explain his 'Ali G' remark to the...
Ferrari plans summer assessment of 2011 progress
May 31 (GMM) Ferrari is not ruling out switching focus to 2012 if this season's championship campaign continues to falter. After an appalling performance in Spain a week earlier, the Monaco circuit last weekend suited the 150 Italia car and Fernando ...
Perez leaves hospital but stays in Monaco
May 31 (GMM) Sergio Perez left the Princess Grace hospital on Monday but he remains in Monaco. He spent two nights under observation following his high speed Monaco crash but was discharged on Monday reportedly with some leg and neck pain and a heada...
Daimler chief Zetsche backs Schumacher return
May 31 (GMM) Michael Schumacher has received the full backing of Mercedes' top brass Dieter Zetsche. Zetsche, the chairman of the German carmaker's parent Daimler, was responding to renewed calls for 42-year-old Schumacher to return to retirement aft...
Sauber secret is ‘full steam’ for 2011 – report
May 31 (GMM) Sauber is setting its sights on loftier ambitions for 2011. The Swiss team is currently a credible sixth in the constructors' standings, behind Mercedes and Renault and leading grandees Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari. "We keep our feet o...
Team to keep ‘Lotus’ chassis name – Fernandes
May 31 (GMM) Tony Fernandes has denied he will have to change the name of his formula one team. Despite the Malaysian millionaire Fernandes retaining the rights to the Team Lotus name after a court battle with Group Lotus, F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone ...
Red flag tyre rule tweak good for F1 – Pirelli
May 31 (GMM) Pirelli has admitted a rule tweak could have ensured an exciting finish to the weekend's Monaco grand prix. With leader Sebastian Vettel's tyres wearing, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button were shaping up to challenge him when the race wa...
Abu Dhabi buying Toro Rosso through Spanish bank – report
May 31 (GMM) Toro Rosso, Red Bull's second formula one team, is being sold. We reported last week rumours the Abu Dhabi government, already part-owning the Mercedes team through the investment vehicle Aabar, might be looking to buy another team. The...
Perez leaves hospital, eyes Canada return
May 30 (GMM) Sergio Perez left hospital on Monday, two nights after his horror Monaco crash. The Mexican rookie suffered concussion and a bruised thigh in a high speed qualifying crash against the notorious barrier at the end of the tunnel. "I feel ...
Five star Vettel rules the streets of Monaco
Not even a red flag can halt this charging Bull So far this season draws parallels with 2009. One man has won all ...
Homeless Kobayashi pledges loyalty to Sauber
May 30 (GMM) Kamui Kobayashi is currently homeless, the Japanese driver has admitted. He told the Swiss Sonntagsblick newspaper that he recently moved out of his Paris apartment. Asked by reporter Roger Benoit if he will soon call Switzerland home, ...
December calendar shakeup ‘unacceptable’ – Brawn
May 30 (GMM) Ross Brawn has strengthened his words a few days before the World Motor Sport Council meets to consider arguably the most arduous calendar in the history of formula one. Paddock figures are unhappy with Bernie Ecclestone's plans to make ...
Vettel on track for second title – Alonso
May 30 (GMM) Six races and five Sebastian Vettel victories down, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso has admitted the German is well on track for his second world championship in 2011. "There's only one occasion that (many early wins) happened, (it was) a coup...
Stewards accepted racist joke explanation – Hamilton
May 30 (GMM) Pastor Maldonado has revealed he will not be talking to Lewis Hamilton after the Monaco grand prix. McLaren's Hamilton was penalised 20 seconds for their crash and after the race ranted about the Williams rookie, who had driven a strong ...
Hamilton explains ‘Ali G’ joke to FIA stewards
May 29 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton returned to the Monaco paddock late on Sunday to explain his "poor" joke, McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh revealed. Even before a post-race penalty for his crash with Pastor Maldonado was applied, the McLaren driver was...