Russian GP – PREVIEW

/in /by

Always thinking about the episodes of Suzuka, Formula 1 arrives for the first time in Russian territory, for the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi circuit, a street circuit of 5,853 meters built around the Sochi Olympic Park.

Like with all new experiences, it presents quite a few unknown elements and problems, which, from a sporting point of view, it could turn into a show, to be examined closely during Friday’s practice sessions. Certainly, teams will have made great indoor simulations. Among the biggest unknowns, there are many right-angle bends, in addition to the longer variation of the whole World Championship and a 180 degree bend that will test the Medium (White) and Soft (yellow) Pirelli, brakes, engines and various liquids present in them. Also drivers will be strongly stressed, because subject to a lateral acceleration of 3-4G for several seconds. 3 pit-stops are expected for this race 52 laps long.

The track needs a good aerodynamic downforce and Red Bull will sell its life dearly. From what we have seen especially in recent appointments, Mercedes has that extra oomph and can play it to its liking. It’s an internal struggle between Hamilton and Nico, which will end only at the last round, also because of the double points that Abu Dhabi will give. Only they can get hurt.

We’re talking about a new Grand Prix, that can inspire new interests for the Circus. I like to remember that in 1985 we were the first Formula 1 in “Red” Square, thanks to a partnership with Simod. Subsequently, in 2002 we brought GazProm in the Circus, in 2004 the SMP Bank and the first Russian driver at the wheel of an F1 car, Sergey Zlobin, now in command of the LMP2 standings in FIA WEC. I have always said that this country, once grew in the motorsport’s world, would have produced interesting athletes, as in all other disciplines. Today, we have a very young Kvyat of Toro Rosso that from next year will be a race driver in RBR.

Not to forget, #GoJules

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.4 – “Home-race” for Joao Vieira at Imola

/in /by

After fifteen days from the exciting weekend at Monza, Joao Vieira is ready to face the seventh and last round of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola.

Being confident of the second place won in the Temple of Speed and of many overtakings among the long straights of Brianza’s track, where he moved from twentieth position to podium’s area in less than 10 passes with a pace like first of the class, the Brazilian driver of Antonelli Motorsport is ready to fulfill his dream, going on the hunt for that victory, which still lacks him at the wheel of his Tatuus #28.  The Circus of Tricolored F.4, organized by ACI-CSAI, promoted by WSK Promotion and strongly supported by FIA, is back to the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit, after hosting its 20 pilots during the second round. “I’ll try to recover the re-match against Imola. I still have a score to settle“, Joao Vieira says, smiling. For the 16-year-old, in fact, the weekend at Imola was particularly unfortunate. “The track has some very challenging sections and I like it a lot. For the first time since the beginning of the season, we’re going to drive on a circuit that I already know. So, I can start like any other. After a difficult weekend at Imola, I entered regularly in score-zone, winning the podium with a third and second place at Mugello and Monza. Now only the victory is missing. I’d like to end the season with success, given that I’ll drive in front of my friends“. For Joao this will be the “home-race”, living a little more than half an hour from the track. “Especially in Monza, my pace was constantly very fast, keeping pace with the top drivers of the standings. For a breath I also missed the pole“, the driver of Minardi Management concludes.

“I’m really satisfied with Joao’s developments. Since the beginning of the season, he has improved steadily, coming to fight with the first drivers of the championship. At Monza, the result could be even more important, especially in the sprint race, where he became the protagonist of a sensational recovery. Now, back to Imola, to end as best as he can this first season between the open-wheel“, the manager Giovanni Minardi analyzes.

As usual, the program will start on Friday, with two turns of free practice sessions of 40′, that will lead the way to Qualifying, scheduled at 05:25 pm and 05.50 pm, for the two races of 28′ + 1 lap on Saturday (at 11:50 am) and Sunday (at 01:00 pm ). In the middle, the sprint race of 18′ + 1 lap (on Saturday at 05:10 pm).

FIA WEC – From Texas to Japan. Davide is ready for the 6 Hours of Fuji

/in /by

From Texas to Japan. Davide Rigon is already flying to Fuji circuit, scene of the fifth round of FIA WEC World Championship. After the good race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, the talented driver from Vicenza is ready to return at the wheel of the Ferrari 458 #71 and continue on his way to win the titles of Constructors and Team, the main aims for Ferrari and AF Corse.

For Davide, this race won’t be his debut on the 4,563 meters of the Japanese track at the foot of Mount Fuji, having taken part in last season’s round with the colours of 8Star Motorsport. The weekend, however, was affected by bad weather and the race was cancelled after only 16 laps.

“Half of the tracks on which I’ve driven till today were unknown to me and, therefore, I had to face one more difficulty. Finally, this weekend we get on a track on which I’ve already run a few kilometers, even if, unfortunately, a year ago I could put together only a few laps, because of the weather and race’s cancellation. I’m happy to be back to drive after the good results of Austin’s track and I’ll try to treasure the experience of last year”, Davide Rigon says, flying to Japan. “We hope to find a stable weekend on the front of weather conditions, in order to prepare the 6 Hours as best as we can. Our goal have to be the podium and, above all, to gain points in view of Constructors’ Championship”.

Reached the mid-season, Ferrari leads the standings with 157 points. “We enter in the second half of the championship and both my partner James Calado and I have gained a good experience with this car. We are ready for the new adventure”, Davide concludes.

Domino effect

/in /by

The first “Top-piece” has moved, starting the domino effect that will upset the starting grid of 2015. Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel’s ways have officially separated, after four World Championship Titles, 38 victories and 44 pole-positions, without forgetting the first seal in 2008, with Toro Rosso colours. In his place, Daniil Kvyat has already been announced, whose promotion from Toro Rosso comes only after a year in F1.

The destination of the German isn’t been announced yet, although it seems clear the arrival at the court of Maranello, in place of Fernando Alonso.

For www.minardi.it, movements at Red Bull’s are not news, having already raised the issue after Silverstone. “…Sebastian Vettel is now ready to be “abandoned”. According to rumors, we aren’t certainly short of drivers and young Kvyat and Sainz J. (involved in WSR 3.5) champing at the bit for a place” (read here), reiterating the concept with the announcement of 2015 Verstappen-Kvyat line-up of Scuderia Toro Rosso “… This operation surprised me, because it could cause difficulties to Carlos Sainz J., that’s a member of the RB family for several years. For this reason, I see different scene, with an extremely young Toro Rosso formed by Verstappen-Sainz J. and Daniil Kvyat towards Red Bull, in place of Sebastian Vettel” (read here).

As it might be expected, with the first move, driver market is preparing for an important. But first things first.

In Ferrari’s new course has brought important changes in all areas: after Domenicali, Marmorini and Montezemolo, it’s time also for Fernando Alonso to greet Maranello. To date, the Spanish is without a contract for next season. What are the possible sceneries?

– For several weeks on his desk there is a contract on McLaren-Honda letterhead;
– Sabbatical year;
– Passing in Mercedes, if Hamilton were to lose the World Championship and to decide to change the air.

With the promotion of Russian from TR to RB a place in Faenza become free. Alongside the already announced young Max Verstappen (who signed the F1 debut last weekend during the free practice sessions for the Japanese GP), another pilot could then get in Red Bull’s orbit, that Carlos Sainz jr., leader and son of the WSR 3.5 Rally champion, thus giving rise to the youngest team of Circus.

With regards to McLaren, Jenson Button’s confirmation is more and more distant. Honda wants a top-driver, but if they could not convince the Spanish, they could point to a young to grow, trying to snatch their competitors exactly Sainz Jr.

Finally, now more that this year next starting grid is surrounded by a great mystery. Waiting for new developments, we wish good luck to Jules Bianchi. We want to see you soon smiling again on track, as during the weekend in Montecarlo. #GoJules

Goodbye Andrea!

/in /by

In a black weekend for motor-sport, came also the terrible news of Andrea De Cesaris’ death (on Sunday evening),  in a motorbike accident.
Andrea, born in 1959, defended the colours of Minardi team in 1986 alongside Alessandro Nannini, leaving an indelible mark in the Faenza’s team and in Gian Carlo Minardi, who wanted remember him this way.

“I have only great memories of Andrea. We’ve experienced together a fantastic year in Formula 1 and even later, when we managed to meet” Gian Carlo Minardi remembers. “Our relationship was of mutual respect, trust and affection. When you receive this news is like a cold shower and cause of incredible sadness. In Minardi he regenerated himself, because he arrived from difficult seasons. As with all our pilots, we transmitted  the tranquility and serenity that allowed him to express his true value. I’m convinced he’s one of those drivers that has had less than he deserved. Certainly, he could aim for greater successes if the period in Alfa Romeo would not coincide with difficult moments for the  Car Company of Aresa.

Funerals will be held on Thursday (at 11:00 am) at San Roberto Bellarmino Church, in Piazza Ungheria, Rome.

Ciao Andrea

Japanese GP – Drivers' Scorecard

/in /by

After such a weekend and the events happened at Suzuka, giving votes is really difficult and maybe it’s not appropriate. Honestly, given the weather conditions and the necessary of respecting tv schedules, everybody deserves a high vote. Pilots has done a great job, because they concluded a race in very difficult conditions, with the exception of Fernando (stopped because of an electrical problem) and Chilton.

In these cases, my sportive spirit leads me to give everybody high votes, congratulating  them, even if Lewis Hamilton certainly deserves the nomination as top of the class and behind him there are Vettel, Button, Vergne and Ricciardo with equal credits.

It’s not the right time to give full details; let’s think about next Russian Grand Prix, which will take place within just seven days; our thoughts are all directed to Jules Bianchi, we wish him to get well soon and we are close to his family.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Japanese GP – THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

/in /by

A really lively weekend at the spectacular Suzuka Circuit. Before starting to analyze this Grand Prix, we should comment on Red Bull’s public statement, which anticipated the consensual decision to end Vettel‘s relationship and the arrival of Kvyat in his place (we maintained this possible replacement in our Silverstone GP preview). Now, the possible arrival of Sainz in Toro Rosso would start off “the youngest team of all times”.

Certainly, we are experiencing a new course at Ferrari; I believe that for the first time in its history, men of Maranello have been caught off their guard by open games of other Circus actors. Fernando and his management does not seem to have managed the situation too; a sabbatical year of the strongest pilot ever becomes more likely, waiting for winning opportunities in 2016. After many victories together, Vettel and Red Bull relationship, which started 15 years ago, has stopped. Won four world championships at 27, Sebastian felt the need to face a new technical and sporting experience, to try new ideas and incentives, and to regenerate after a season where his team-mate Ricciardo, on several occasions, caused difficulties to him. Waiting to know, even if it’s already taken for granted, where Vettel will race in 2015, we enter in comments of this Grand Prix, expressing later my personal thoughts on these market movements.

The rain – fully forecasted – has affected this GP. Start with Safety Car for two laps, then red flag and restart with the Safety until 10th lap, when, finally, the real race starts. It was a race, obviously, affected by rain and countless tyres changes: wet at the beginning and intermediate in subsequent pit stops.

Stellar Mercedes, as usual; Hamilton at ease ahead of a wet Rosberg, who was in trouble with the set up of his car. We experienced very interesting duels with certainly engaging overtakings, especially through the work of Red Bull, in a bad day for Ferrari because of Alonso’s retirement at the restart after the first red flag, and a colorless race for Kimi, who struggled throughout the race with grip problems. But this appointment leaves us with a bitter taste in our mouth for its final conclusion.  

The accident of Bianchi, who crashed into the emergency vehicle that was recovering Sutil’s Sauber, get off track just before, suspends any other sporting assessment to stay close to Jules and hope the best for him.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Formula 4 and Formula 3 meet at Imola for the grand final

/in /by

After the exciting weekend at Monza’s “Temple of Speed”, on 11th and 12th October the little champions of Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth are ready to do battle in another “Temple” of Motorsport: at Enzo and Dino Ferrari in Imola, that will be theater of the seventh and final round of the newborn category, as well as the first step after karting.

For the occasion, the 20 young drivers – aged between 14 and 16 – will share track and paddock with more experienced colleagues of F.3 FIA European that have also reached their last round of the season. A kind of passing the baton between the two FIA categories to growth and launch of new champions to Formula 1 and professionalism. “At Monza we experienced three great races in which Italian National Anthem has been played three times and public’s response was really important, with principal areas crowded of fans of all ages”, Gian Carlo Minardi says. “Open Doors initiative starts giving its first results and this must be only the first step. We have to lead all fans to approach again and make them fall in love again. Imola will close the first season of Formula 4 – the category open to all guys coming from karting world – and the fight for second and third place is still to be played. In the same time, there’ll also be the end of F.3 FIA European, with opportunity to see in action Max Verstappen – next to debut in F1 – and our bishops Antonio Fuoco (Prema) and Antonio Giovinazzi (Carlin), together with the championship winner, Esteban Ocon.

There are all the ingredients to experience another thrilling weekend of motorsport. “I wait for you all at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola, on 11th and 12th October“, the manager from Faenza concludes, “to attend the final rounds of Formula 4 and Formula 3“.

Japanese GP – PREVIEW

/in /by

There are only 5 remaining Grand Prix before the end of the World Championship, with a wide open fight at Mercedes’. The menu is one of those interesting, consisting of four traditional rounds (one on the brand new Russian circuit) and one GP, Abu Dhabi, which is worth even as double.

In the past, Suzuka has been scene of important challenges, both because for many years it was the final stage of the season, and because it decreed the winner. Today, instead, we arrive with many question marks. At Mercedes’, the two drivers are almost pair and reliability will play a role nearly as first actor. Behind them, there’s an open battle for third place in Drivers and Constructors Standings.

We speak of a technical and demanding track, in all accounts: pilot, car and tyres. It’s not easy to get the maximum. It’ll be interesting to see who, between Lewis and Nico, will be able to excel and take that advantage, even psychological, to face the new challenge of Sochi.

It’ll be an “open” weekend also “behind the scenes”. Honda would have liked to announce his plans for 2015 right in its living room, but it’ll be difficult; it’s still on the hunt for a top-driver. At Ferrari’s, there’s a strange silence that could be a sign of renewal. According to what we read, Maranello would make even less of its number 1. In my personal opinion: if you want to put in place an internal and such important reorganization, I would start from fixed points, without giving an extra advantage to the rivals.

There will also be the debut of Max Verstappen that from the FIA F.3 European Championship is preparing for the big jump into F.1 Circus with the colours of Toro Rosso. It’ll be interesting to follow him from the beginning. During the test on Adria’s circuit, he had got great results. He’ll have to try not to overdo it, having this test as an experience in view of 2015.

Verstappen, Fuoco, Giovinazzi & C. come to Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola next 11th – 12th October, for the last round of the FIA F.3 European. For the occasion, they share track and paddock with the younger colleagues of Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, the new series strongly supported by the International Federation, to create the first step towards professionalism. Just in last race at Monza, the 20 young pilots of F.4 have paid the audience back with amazing overtakes and fights till the last lap.

Save the date and I’ll wait for you in large numbers. Imola, 11th – 12th October for the final round of Formula 4 and Formula 3 European.

Gian Carlo Minardi