- Reuters’ Formula 1 correspondent Alan Baldwin believes Robert Kubica is favorite to secure a drive at Williams in 2018. We will see if that fraud, Felipe Massa, has anything to say about it.
Kimi Raikkonen recently celebrated his birthday. I wonder if he cracked a smile. Probably not. - Team Honda is finally pushing back now that their relationship with McLaren has ended. Honda’s F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa admitted many members of his team were not happy with Fernando Alonso’s “attitude.” I can’t help but agree with Honda. Quit complaining and drive the car.
- Meanwhile…Honda have claimed their F1 engine is now nearly as competitive as Renault’s, as McLaren prepare to switch power suppliers for next season.
- Call me crazy, but I don’t think new teammates Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz are going to get along. They both strike me as alphas who think they can do no wrong. It should make for an exciting first turn collision.
Old man Bernie Ecclestone is popping up in the tabloids this week claiming he didn’t choose to leave F1. Rather, Liberty Media fired him. Boohoo, Bernie. Take your millions and ride off into the sunset already.- Fernando Alonso says “all the options” are still open to him, as the wait for a decision on his future goes on. I’m getting a little sick and tired of this dog and pony show. Just resign with McLaren already. You’re pissing us all off, Fernando.
- You know what else grinds my gears? These in race interviews with McLaren brass. It’s obvious that the only reason McLaren agrees to these interviews is that they are fighting a PR battle to stay relevant.
- The F1 Newsletter staff can’t wait until the US TV coverage switches from NBC Sports to ESPN 2 next year. Long live Will Buxton though.
- Red Bull’s drivers are set to take one more grid penalty apiece in the season’s final four races, according to Helmut Marko. Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen are going to need one more engine each to complete the final four races.
- Aston Martin has recruited staff with Formula 1 experience as it continues to evaluate whether or not to enter the championship as an engine supplier.
