Italian GP – PREVIEW

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Here we are! The Circus comes to Monza, in the temple of speed, the most historical circuit, together with Spa and Silverstone.

It is not a secret that Monza circuit is full of unknown aspects and variables, both in terms of reliability, with highly stressed engines, brakes and also tyres (Pirelli will bring Medium and Hard compounds) and, on the hand of layout, with the first chicane and the first variation, which has been the scene of numerous contacts that have changed the final result.

We are entering the final part of the Championship and many teams will have to deal with the number of PU already used, in order to avoid penalty on the starting grid. For units, the Grand Prix of Italy is certainly a great test, because the throttle valve remains open to the full, for the 75% of the lap. Then, on the calendar the Italian GP comes after Belgium, another circuit where it was no joke.

Once again, the Mercedes start as big favourites, but we must not underestimate the Williams, that have always attracted attention in these conditions. They have a good package, considering chassis-power unit-pilots, with Bottas determined to trip Fernando Alonso up for the fourth place in World Championship. After the unpleasant episode of Spa, at Mercedes’ peace should be back. The team can’t afford to lose this World Championship and, with its drivers, it will certainly strike the right note, to avoid falling again in similar mistakes.

Behind them we find Red Bull, with a great chassis and Daniel Ricciardo, that’s galvanized by the third success of the season (the only one that interrupted Mercedes’ domain till now and awarded with the Baldini Trophy in Brisighella), and Ferrari, which remains the great unknown. The men of Maranello can certainly rely on the support of the public. It’s up to them trying to snatch the third place.

A little advice as fan: go to Monza, in order to live a weekend of racing as if it were a country outing, a day off to spend together.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Planning the future, looking to the past

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Beyond the criticism that can be done to Red Bull for the debut next year of a just 17-years-old boy, the case of Max Verstappen has certainly our approval and it led me to think about Formula 1 and its evolution. Of course, the DNA of rumours is to focus on young people, being their “market” as a brand. Then, having the possibility to rely on a satellite team like Toro Rosso is a greater incentive.

As already pointed out in previous weeks, TR could espouse a very “green” cause (with all the consequences of the case), adding the Spanish Carlos Sainz Jr to the 20-years-old Verstappen, thus trying to grow the two young pilots, in order to promoting them later in Red Bull Racing, as it happened with Vettel, Ricciardo and, perhaps, Kvyat. The Australian can be considered effectively a number 1. Therefore, now Vettel’s departure would become meaningless.

The media “tam-tam” of Verstappen-Toro Rosso led me to think aloud about the different problems of Formula 1. For example, the average age of fans is rising. This means that the “Circus” does not thrill the younger generation anymore. I see this reflection as an important alarm bell, that can’t be overlooked. How to intervene?

CIRCUIT LIKE A COUNTRY OUTING: the race weekend have to be turned into a country outing with friends and relatives. An opportunity to have fun, to party and to amuse, enjoying an amazing race with wurstel, sausage and beer. I remember that in the ’85-’86-’87 years, the appointment of Imola was prepared by “Minardi Club Faenza” since Monday, with the installation of trailers with music, watching the race together and eating “Piadina” (typical flat bread of Romagna). 2014 Spa, Silverstone and Austria were beautiful sceneries, with fields crowded again by fans. There is a return to the past, that is necessary to ride.

FINDING NEW PILOTS OF INTERNATIONAL INTEREST: it’s necessary to promote young people. The public wants to know his favourites. It might focus on tests for young pilots or dedicating them the Friday morning. Red Bull has already hit the mark with Verstappen, since the team has managed to direct all the attention on itself. In Holland, they go all crazy. A new name, perhaps still unknown to the public, is ready to make his entrance, coming directly from the International F.3. Almost as it happened in the past. It would be nice if this project were followed also by other teams, thus providing more space for talented young people. Do not forget that we are, in fact, talking about a guy who is second in raking, who fights on the track with colleagues that are equal to him. I am of course thinking about our Fuoco and Giovinazzi or about the leader, Ocon. In the past, Monte Carlo was the fixed appointment of all teams’ managers, on the occasion of F.3 race. All the best drivers confronted themselves with a demanding track. Who stood out among the narrow streets of the Principality was taken into account.

PLANNING THE CHAMPIONSHIPS: having so many categories is negative, because values are lost. In the past, the pyramid was composed by F.3-F.2-F.1 with natural selection. In these last two years, International Formula 3 has once again become the benchmark of pilots, exactly as it was in the past. Now we need an Intermediate Formula to get to F.1. The current GP2 is not reaching its goals, because of its high costs. FIA is making a great effort to rebuild a road to the “Olympus” of motor sport, starting from the new Formula 4.

I don’t want to pass as who wants to impose his own rules, but I just want to give some advice, as enthusiast and fan of this sport. We are talking about the Top category and it is not admissible to have empty or uncrowded stands. I have the feeling that people are falling out of love with Formula 1.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Belgian GP – Drivers’ Scorecard

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After the Belgian Grand Prix and awaiting the arrival of Monza circuit, it’s time to give some votes. The top of the class is certainly the winner, Daniel Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo – 9 Perfect race, master of his car and excellent harmony with the Team. Now he’s to be trusted, also in view of the future

Valtteri Bottas – 8 With four podiums, he’s becoming the most interesting pilot of the new generation. He doesn’t make mistakes and might soon climb further steps of the podium

Kimi Raikkonen – 7.5 He deserves encouragement. Finally, he showed that the world title was not a case, gaining his best world ranking

Fernando Alonso – 7 For fighting with a car which is not yet up to the top ones and because of problems with Power-Unit. In addition, the inconvenience on the start row cost him 5″ penalty, decisive for the final result

Nico Rosberg – 6.5 With the car that he’s in his hands, he should certainly do a lot more. I think that the contact with Hamilton is the result of a race’s mistake, but he had to be more cautious. Such carelessness should not be done during the second lap

Daniil Kvyat – 6.5 Good competition for the young pilot of Toro Rosso. The Russian confirms that age is not a limit

Jenson Button and Felipe Massa – 5 The gap with the teammates is too wide. They have to think about it

Jules Bianchi – 6 Good Qualifying for the French, that shows a steady growth

Sebastian Vettel – 5 He makes mistakes which are not as World Champion and he loses another challenge with his teammate. 50″ of gap are too much. Maybe it’s time to find new ideas and challenges

Kevin Magnussen – 5 He’s too aggressive in the fights, taking excessive risks for himself and his rivals

At Lotus’, both drivers and team will have to ponder, because they seem to drift a bit. They have to change their course immediately

Gian Carlo Minardi “Games in F1. Unleashed Honda on the hunt for a Top Driver”

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The media “tam-tam” around the announcement of Max Verstappen continues to monopolize the conversation, diverting the attention both from the results on the track and from the great manoeuvres behind the scenes. The move of Red Bull, ‘teacher in marketing’, that has in fact attracted all the attention on itself creating a real media event, denied the undisputed leaders of this championship the front pages of newspapers and networks. “With this move, Red Bull has been able to convey the attention on itself, distracting those in the know from the results on the track or from the manoeuvers related to the drivers’ market. In these last days, it has spoken predominantly about the lightning passage of the young Max Verstappen in Toro Rosso, blurring the unbelievable result in qualifying, that highlighted two Mercedes fobbing off two world champions as Sebastian Vettel (3rd) and Fernando Alonso (4th) with even 2″ in qualifying. These performances have reaffirmed in Race, demonstrating an incredible superiority in overall level (chassis – Power Unit – electronics), although undermined by Pilots’ mistakes”, analyzes Gian Carlo Minardi on www.minardi.it.

Red Bull opened the games, but in these days great manoeuvres are expected. “After the significant investments within McLaren, Honda is looking for a Top Driver. The recent statements of loyalty by Fernando Alonso at Ferrari have effectively removed one of the ‘unhappy’. Therefore, Vettel and Hamilton remain into play. From Japan, a very strong manoeuvre is suggested to me; it has been played in the last days by Honda, in order to win the pair Newey/Vettel. Exactly at Spa-Francorchamps, Bernie Ecclestone approached Sebastian Vettel. As happened on other occasions, driven by the various actors, Mr. E might have tried to put his own, in order to convince the German champion to accept this new challenge without involving Newey. Even to Ecclestone would be convenient to see a top-driver in the recovered McLaren-Honda pair”.

The involvement of the Japanese manufacturer against Sebastian Vettel would get back into the game the landing of Carlos Sainz Jr. in Formula 1. Gian Carlo Minardi hopes for Toro Rosso in very “Young” version, with Verstappen-Sainz Jr. and the Russian Kvyat, promoted in Red Bull Racing alongside Daniel Ricciardo. As already mentioned a few days ago: “On the basis of these news, the mosaic begins to take shape. By signing the young Max, Red Bull (a brand strongly aimed at young people) accomplished an important marketing action, as well as acquiring a new potential talent. Moreover, it might also realize the task that practically everyone took for granted: Carlos Sainz Jr. in F1, Toro Rosso side. At this point, it comes easy to think about a promotion for the young Russian Kvyat alongside Ricciardo, in case the transition of Sebastian Vettel to Honda will materialize“.

“Hamilton’s enigma still remains. Unhappy more than ever after the ‘close contact’ with Rosberg, he has been defended for the first time firmly and peremptorily by Team Principal Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda. Is a new scenario emerging, changing the future strategies of Mercedes? Does a new pretender loom on the horizon … Valtteri Bottas? A young man who showed his value on track and we should not forget that he has a remarkable manager: Toto Wolff!“, concludes Gian Carlo Minardi.

The games are getting to the heart and in Monza we will know what developments will materialize for many of these movements behind the scenes.

Belgian GP – THE POINT… by Gian Carlo Minardi

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An amazing Formula 1 Grand Prix is filed, with its important and historic circuit, Spa-Francorchamps; after the devastating domain marked Mercedes in qualifying, it re-opened the games with the third success of Ricciardo, before Rosberg and Bottas.

It will be a Grand Prix that will have developments in the motor-homes, where important moves are expected. The contact in the second lap between Rosberg and Hamilton will get talked about in the next few days, although I don’t think that it was voluntary. Certainly, that are contacts which should not take place in the second lap. Nico tried to brake. Moreover, let’s not forget that Mercedes has always said to leave free to fight its pilots. With regards to Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo has not only achieved the third success of the season, but he has leaved behind the teammate of more than 50″, demonstrating that he has reached the necessary maturity to lead a team. The same RB has taken important steps, in spite of the engine’s handicap, proving to rely on good aerodynamics.

It was a lively race, in which all the teams had to change their strategies during the race, with duels, small contacts and strong actions to the limit, which are part of the sport nevertheless. Finally, we saw a beautiful race of Kimi Raikkonen, who fought as a champion needs to do, while regret still remain for what happened to Fernando Alonso and his penalty that costs him a possible fifth place.

As mentioned before, we expect incandescent hours. What we have seen today on the track may represent an important watershed in view of the upcoming season. Various hierarchies are consolidating within the teams: in Williams, the Finnish Bottas consolidates his leadership with the new podium, also proving to be an important player considering the market. He handled his car very well, with interesting overtakings. At McLaren’s, the young Magnussen still had his car before Jenson Button, who’s in his falling phase. Not for nothing, Honda is on the hunt for a top driver. At Red Bull’s, Ricciardo scored another stunning hit against the four-time world champion, while in Mercedes we heard strong releases of Toto Wolff and Lauda about Rosberg-Hamilton’s contact.

Gian Carlo Minardi “Point on the Verstappen-Sainz pair in Toro Rosso 2015”

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After Ricciardo, Kvyat, Vettel, Alguersuari, Vergne… the new gamble in Red Bull is called Max Verstappen. The young son of the ex-Formula 1 driver Jos has joined the Red Bull family, which promptly turned him to Toro Rosso team for a lightning-debut already in 2015, when he will be just 17-years-old and will have no more than thirty-three races in an open-wheel behind him.

This year, the Dutch highlighted himself in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, creating amazing battles with our two leaders, Antonio Fuoco and Antonio Giovinazzi, in force in Prema and Carlin teams. With this manoeuver at the last moment, and maybe even a bit risky, Red Bull has managed to scoop Mercedes’ competition, which set his eyes for a long time on the young driver. “The guy was watched by Toto Wolff and Red Bull has gambled, guaranteeing him a record that is unlikely to be beaten in a short time and bringing him to a worldwide debut already in the next year. According to rumours, the program is certainly not free from criticism, because I believe many young people have been set aside prematurely, without the opportunity to express themselves 100%. With Ricciardo and Kvyat things are working very well and we’ll see how they will behave with the young Max. Previously, they made several mistakes, but practice makes perfect”, says Gian Carlo Minardi on the website www.minardi.it.

Even if the press release issued by the team from Faenza speaks about a 2015 line-up consisting of Kvyat-Verstappen, the manager of Faenza is not so convinced that the games are over. “This operation surprised me, as it might cause problems for Carlos Sainz J., who is part of the RB family from several years. For this reason, I see a different scene, with an extremely young Toro Rosso formed by Verstappen-Sainz J. and Daniil Kvyat towards Red Bull, in place of Sebastian Vettel“. The announcement could start the dance to new sceneries in regard to 2015 and traditionally Spa and Monza circuits are the stages of the new ads. The timer is about to shoot. “Do not forget that we have Honda determined to aim for a super-top driver for its return to the Circus and, to this day, we certainly have the first three guides unhappy with their situation: Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel. In addition, the Red Bull Racing is a brand turned to a young audience and the arrival of the new face of Kvyat alongside Ricciardo could be a very interesting marketing move. For some time, I contend that the time has come for the four-times World Champion to abdicate and accept new challenges. We are close to several changes, in a domino-style. We expect the first move and then all the others will arrive as a result“, continues the manager of Faenza.

Gian Carlo Minardi, who built his career in Formula 1 working with the very young drivers, supports the politics aimed at enhancing young people and he even hopes for a greater commitment on the part of the other teams. “Recently, with the young people we haven’t witnessed to disasters and I hope that the others will follow RB footsteps“, warns the ex-constructor. “My thoughts go out to our guys Fuoco and Giovinazzi, who are fighting on a par with Verstappen, alternating the lead. The two leaders are second to none. I hope that the FDA would put corrective measures to encourage their growth. All the top teams should have a team of reference with which growing young people. Otherwise, it is useless to have a nursery“, concludes Gian Carlo Minardi.

Belgian GP – PREVIEW

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Set aside the three-week of summer break, this weekend Formula 1 is ready to get back on track, on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, after some controversies, cut and thrust among the various teams.

Therefore, we are back on track with two tough appointments like Spa and Monza, two authentic circuits, in which the Mercedes (despite some problems of reliability) and their PU start certainly as favourite. Williams, however, could be the outsider, ready to create confusion in the first row. It will be interesting to see what innovations will be brought on track, because, in spite of summer break, the brilliant minds of the technicians have continued to think and work out, in terms of the end of the Championship and of the upcoming season.

In fact, we enter in the final part of the Championship, that promises to be very “hot”, as we have already mentioned in the previous appointments, with great movements behind the scenes. Belgium and Italy have traditionally been two intense weekends and we will see which negotiations will come to an end and which will remain locked in teams’ drawns. I have my own personal memories of 2005-Spa circuit, which marked the passage of my team in the hands of Dietrich Mateschitz.

For example, after the large investments with McLaren, we have Honda on the hunt for a super-top driver to place alongside the young Kevin Magnussen. They want to make a return in great style, to start as best they can. Consequently, Button should no longer fall within the McLaren plans. In Mercedes, at the moment, only Nico Rosberg has signed the contract extension and it is not taken for granted the permanence of Sebastian Vettel in Red Bull. Considering Ferrari, there should not be big movements, with Fernando Alonso mainly interested in receiving more guarantees on the technical front. But in life, and especially in F1, you can never say never. In these days, the vent of Marmorini is synonymous with great nervousness and, therefore, Marco Mattiacci must first of all bring serenity within the team.

Red Bull has started itself to shake up the market, putting under contract Max Verstappen, who has followed in his father’s footsteps – Jos Verstappen – and who ran with me in 2003; he’s doing very well in Formula 3, as well as our Antonio Fuoco and Antonio Giovinazzi. In the next season, the Dutch will be the new driver for Toro Rosso team, alongside Kvyat. The games have started.

We come from very interesting races, that have been able to give us back that show so claimed from the beginning of the season, proving that this F1 is not to reject, being in front of such an epochal change. The engineers and technicians have been able to make giant steps, such as at Renault, allowing Daniel Ricciardo to conquer the only two victories so far not marked Rosberg and Hamilton. And  exactly Ricciardo will be awarded in Brisighella with the Bandini Trophy on August 31st, an award that has always been a good auspice to its winners (from Schumacher to Vettel, passing through Rosberg, Alonso and many others), who brought home extremely interesting results.

Note: Article updated upon confirmation of Verstappen in Toro Rosso.

Gian Carlo Minardi: Midsummer thoughts…

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All F1 teams are on holiday: after eleven GPs all the workers, as the Regulations state, must take a well-deserved rest to recharge the batteries and get ready to tackle the next eight appointments that will lead us to the end of the World Championship 2014. Obviously Factories are under the control of FIA and no employee or worker may enter the factory (excepting the systems maintenance teams); nothing escapes the supervisors, even the e-mail traffic of teams can be controlled.

At the resumption of works, it will be a hot Autumn: the run-up to the supremacy of Mercedes makes me forecast large movements regarding the Teams’ workforce. Ferrari has already begun, but what they did seems not enough, so other changes are in the air. McLaren is also forced to work in such a way to ensure Honda a technical return on the investments they are doing in F1, not to mention Lotus, that is once again making big changes at the corporate and technical levels to switch from Renault to Mercedes engines. However, no team will be free from revolutions, that will either regard the technical side or the pilots, or even changes of Team Principal and Managing Director (this could be one of the reasons that led Bernie to postpone the meeting in London to find new solutions together with Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren).

F1 is increasingly split into two groups, with some teams who work to achieve leadership while others are struggling to survive. These two groups will have to match their different interests, with the sole aim to relaunch F1 attracting new fans, particularly among young people, being more effective in promotional and media terms for new sponsors.

To achieve this, there will probably be the need to rewrite the Rules, to make them clear and understandable to all.

Now let’s go on holiday… With so many doubts and perplexities, curious to see what will happen since after Monza, an historical step for certain changes.

Happy holidays!


 
 
 
 
Picture: BlogF1.it

F.4 – Joao Vieira, 10 points at Magione to improve

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The fourth round of the Italian Championship F.4 powered by Abarth – held at the Magione Circuit, in Umbria – is over: for Joao Vieira it has not been a very positive weekend. The 10 points scored, thanks to the fifth place in Race-1, are a less rewarding result comparing to the expectations for this race, for the 16-year-old Brazilian driver.

Race-2 has in fact been compromised by a mistake and by the contact at the first corner, which put an end to the race.

In Race-3 the driver of Antonelli Motorsport had to settle for a thirteenth place, for a mistake at the first corner too. Therefore, the loss of more than ten positions at the first corner has inevitably affected the final result.

“It has been a weekend in which I have not achieved much in terms of results and points and I regret that, but it has been very important in terms of the experience I have gained”, Joao Vieira comments.

“It was an intense weekend, concentrated in just two days of competition and characterized by some inexperience mistakes which affected all three races. I am sure that Joao will build on this experience and the summer break will be useful to recharge our batteries, giving us the strength to finish the season improving our performance, in a finale that promises to be intense”, the Manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

After the summer break, the second part of the season will start on the demanding track “Piero Taruffi” in Vallelunga, on the weekend of September 13th and 14th, 2014.

F.4 – Joao Vieira chasing after another podium

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At the turning point of the F.4 Championship Powered by Abarth, Joao Vieira attacks the podium’s top step on the track of Magione circuit.

After a day of test-driving on the same track on last July 23rd and after great times realized, the 16-year-old Brazilian of Antonelli Motorsport will try to increase his points in raking, to climb back up to the top of it, as he did over the weekend at Mugello, which has taken him from the 19th to the 8th place.

“I can’t wait to get back in the car, because I feel ready to try winning my first race. After the test at Magione circuit, where I immediately had a good driving feeling, I think we can try, even if competition is really fierce”, Joao Vieira says.

“I think the turning point of the Championship is the right time to chasing after the top step of the podium and Joao is doing everything to get into it, between gym and track’s workouts. From the first day he got in the car till today, Joao has improved a lot and, if we consider that he’s one of the pilots with less mileage, I think he has made giant steps, given also the high level and the large number of participants – 22 – we find in this Championship”, the Manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

The curtain will rise on the Umbrian circuit this Saturday, August 2nd with the two free practice sessions (9:50 am and 12:10 pm) and the two Qualifying sessions (4:00 to 4:25 pm), which will define the starting grid of the two rounds of the race (28 ‘+ 1 Lap), starting on Sunday at 9:00 am and at 4.40 pm. In the middle, starting at 12:30 pm, the sprint race (18 ‘+ 1 Lap).

Hungarian GP – Drivers’ Scorecard

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We saw another dazzling GP with many variables and masterfully conducted by extremely deserving pilots; therefore, grading these protagonists is going to be pretty easy.

Ricciardo – 10 For the aggressive race’s behavior and the overtakings on Alonso and Hamilton, made three laps from the end.

Alonso – 10 Perfect race, always on the attack, as if every lap will be Qualifying. He was very smart, taking advantage of the Soft tyres for 31 laps; without a sensational Ricciardo, he would have certainly won this GP

Hamilton – 9 He recovered from the bottom of the starting row and, with an offensive race, he conquered an important podium for the Championship

Rosberg – 8 After an extraordinary Qualifying during the race, he didn’t emerged as in other occasions, but strategy didn’t certainly helped him. Perhaps, if he had changed the Soft tyres two laps before, he could get another result.

Vergne – 8 He struggled in second position, especially in the early laps, and he finally took points to Toro Rosso

Raikkonen – 7 Perhaps, he did the best race of 2014, hoping for gaining some serious points for the Constructors’ Championship

Mass and Bottas – 7 They could not do better, even if they had cars with high-performances, thanks to the stategies’ choices of William – in my opinion, a bit weird

Button – 6 He brought home a point with a car which was in a difficult situation, with a very questionable strategy too

Bianchi – 6 A mark of encouragement, according to the Qualifying in Q1, when he eliminated Raikkonen with a perfect lap

Vettel – 5 Bad start, nervousness and a mistake that could cost him a lot. After a good Qualifying like an ex World Champion, he suffered Ricciardo during the race

Hungarian Gp – THE POINT… by Gian Carlo Minardi

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The eleventh GP of the season has been enlivened since Qualifying, where human mistakes, see Magnussen, strategy mistakes, see Ferrari with Kimi, and reliability mistakes, see Hamilton’s Mercedes and rain in Q3, livened up the last five minutes of test. In a few moments, a succession of fast laps confirmed a sensational Mercedes, which set with Rosberg a time of 1’22″715 – nearly close to the time that the F1 scored a year ago – before a wild Vettel, a reconfirmed Bottas, a Ricciardo that in the last lap overtook a tenacious Alonso, who could not do better than a 5th place, even though improving  his time lap after lap with a 1’23″909.

The race was spectacular, thanks to the dramatic turn of events. Over all, the weather variability: rain thoroughly soaked the track and forced all teams starting with the Intermediate Rain. Secondly, the two safety cars, which intervened following accidents. Finally, the strategies used by teams: at Mercedes’, there were choices of different strategies for the two pilots; at Ferrari’s, an aggressive and risky strategy; at William’s, incomprehensible choices. There was a perfect choice at Red Bull’s, for Ricciardo’s car. With great sense of timing, Daniel used the pit wall’s recall, entering immediately the pits, as soon as the first safety car get out the track, taking advantage of the fact that the first ahead four cars had already passed through the pits’ entrance.

Great Fernando, a phenomenon that has been able to fight and complete 30 laps with Soft tyres in the final stint, achieving an outstanding result for the team and proving, once again, that he is the number one.

We saw also some nervousness mistakes by various actors; we mention a few. Vettel first; only the good luck allowed him to cross the finish line, even though he touched the wall on the pit’s straight. Mercedes’ pit wall, that, in my opinion, made strategies mistakes and, anyway, delayed too much Rosberg’s last pit stop. Williams, that inexplicably used medium tyres on both cars, compromising its drivers’ performances – nevertheless, everyone knew that there was more than one second per lap of performance difference between Soft and Medium tyre.

However, this F1 Championship is always showing a thrilling aspect, with amazing overtakings, races driven until the last lap and growing performances, that make us forget all the critics on this Championship circulated at the beginning of the year.

Now, everybody on vacation for three weeks, with the aim of recovering energies and renew ideas, to deal with the last eight GP, with the hope that the players of this amazing Championship will offer an even more spectacular final.

F.4 – Joao Vieira discovers Vallelunga and Magione

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They were two days of intense work for Joao Vieira at Vallelunga and Magione circuits, the scene of the next two rounds of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth.

The 16-year-old Brazilian driver from Gurupi started to approach the second part of the new Championship, together with the staff of Antonelli Motorsport, taking the first contact with the demanding “Piero Taruffi” circuit (4,085 meters long) and the eleven corners that characterize the 2,507 meters of the “Mario Umberto Borzacchini” track, at the wheel of his #28.

After bringing up the Brazilian flag onto the Mugello’s podium, Joao is determined to continue the positive trend from the next event – scheduled on August 2nd and 3rd – and, on the track of Perugia, he has certainly started off on the right foot,  scoring excellent chronometric results, getting very close the pole-position and quickly adapting to the track layout.

“These have been two intense days, during which I’ve worked alongside my team, looking ahead to the next two races. I am very satisfied with the results scored in Magione, while I made a few mistakes at Vallelunga. For me, every track is a completely new discovery and time to learn is always very little. We are approaching the second half of the season and I’m happy with my progresses. For this reason, I would like to thank all the staff of Antonelli Motorsport”, the driver of Minardi Management says.

“I’m really happy with the work done by Joao in these two days, especially with regard to the results obtained in Magione. He has adapted quickly to the track and the lap times were really interesting. Only for a few tenths, he couldn’t score the pole-position of the day, stopping at the second position. The day in Vallelunga was more difficult, but the track is certainly more challenging and he will have the opportunity to redeem himself. Now Joao will continue his physical and athletics training before the fourth round of the season at Magione”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.