Austrian GP – THE POINT… by Gian Carlo Minardi

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Formula 1 is back to Europe and Austria. A praise must be done to the organizers of this race that have managed to bring a large audience to the circuit. We have experienced a fantastic weekend, with a front row marked by Williams and Mercedes in a slight difficulty. This underlines how easy it is to switch, in this F1, from leaders to chasers. A Mercedes that still has capitalized all its advantage with a new double and an important success for Nico Rosberg. The points of advantage on Hamilton begin to be significant, surely annoying Lewis.

I believe, however, that the error in qualifying is not to be attributed to the pilot, as they strive to affirm at Mercedes, but mainly to a brake problem, as can be seen in some slow-motions. Perhaps the braking system is one of those aspects that this year has been most underestimated, even with regard to “weight-car” issues. Many teams, in different ways and measures, have accused several issues on the brakes.

The ranking sees two Mercedes, two Williams and, above all, seven cars in the top ten with the Mercedes power-unit. Great race of Fernando Alonso, who brings Ferrari to the fifth place: he has showed once again what he’s made of.  He’s the one making the difference, keeping the team anchored to third place in the Constructors’ Championship.

The Austrian weekend underlined again the problem at Renault’s. In my opinion, rumours about possible new partnerships will start again soon, as RB cannot continue on this path, despite the declarations on the renewal of contracts. The championship of Vettel is almost compromised and he was forced to raise the white flag to avoid ruining another power-unit, having already used four of them.

The last two races have affirmed the growth of Williams that with the podium of today has taken another step forward, leaving McLaren behind and getting closer to Force India. They’ve become a rival and, keeping this pace, might even try to annoy Maranello.

Good race for Sergio Perez, who is blurring the rising star of Hulkenberg: he carried out a great race, conditioned by an excellent race management. The Mexican driver is able to create a good connection with the tyres, thus being able to carry out interesting strategies.

In fifteen days we’ll arrive in England, at Silverstone, a track representing the history of this sport.

Austrian GP – Preview

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Formula 1 prepares his return to Austria, on a track that has had a “makeover”: I already had the chance to see and taste it a year and a half ago, during a race of the Italian Championship organized by ACI Sport. We are speaking of a well-structured circuit, with a good organization.
The Grand Prix will be surrounded by a series of promotional events. In the main one, the Austrian drivers who have raced in F1 world will return to step into their historical cockpits: therefore we’ll see Niki Lauda at the wheel of Ferrari 312T and Gerard Berger on 88C, Alexander Wurz on Benetton B198 and our Patrick Friesacher on Minardi PS05.
Red Bull is creating a great media event to watch and follow – they are masters in this kind of things. As I said it is a revisited track, certainly less dangerous than in the past, where the chassis and aerodynamics will be able to give a hand to the home team.

After the interlude in Canada marked by first seal of Daniel Ricciardo, Formula 1 is coming back to Europe. Mercedes has showed its only Achilles’ heel – reliability – that could liven up the World Championship. To say what will happen is not easy. There is a high chance of rain, and traction and aerodynamics will be an important component, as well as the tyres, especially on a dry track. Pirelli will bring in fact Supersoft and Soft. I expect a Mercedes ready to play the hare, with a Red Bull – strongly growing – ready to chase her. Ferrari seemed to be able to surprise us with important innovations, which unfortunately in Montreal have not yielded the expected results.
Do not forget about Williams, Force India and Toro Rosso. Depending on the circuit, or on the pairs pilot-circuit or power-unit-circuit, we might have some surprises. Fifteen days ago we saw a Williams in great shape. Without the inconvenience during the pit stop, maybe Massa could have fought for the first place, also keeping away from the contact with Perez. Who has had the ability to grab the Mercedes power-unit will do the killjoy, especially in the case of a KO of Rosberg and Hamilton.
We hope to live a red-hot and non-programmed final.

Le Mans – Davide Rigon: "A dream faded too soon"

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A 24H of Le Mans with two sides for Davide Rigon. While there is great satisfaction for the triumph of the AF Corse team with the #51 twin car of the friends Bruni, Fisichella and Villander, on the other side there’s the regret for having seen the dream fading after only a few hours of race.

After the terrible accident in qualifying of Calado, the mens in red of Amato Ferrari had succeeded in the miracle of rebuilding the Ferrari 458 just in time for the final warm-up on Saturday morning, managing to get quickly a new shell. Unfortunately, this major effort was vanished a few hours after the start, when Davide was betrayed by a technical problem, forcing him to a definitive retirement from the race. “It has been a cold shower”, Davide Rigon – disconsolate – says. “I have to congratulate all the staff of AFCorse and Ferrari. The guys have did a miracle. They practically rebuilt the whole machine working nonstop at night, allowing us to get back on track for the warm-up. Unfortunately, the dream lasted only a few hours. A real shame”.
The premises were good. Before retiring, the #71 Ferrari was recovering. “Our pace was really good. I was regaining different positions, and when it started to rain, we guessed the strategy”, continues the driver from Vicenza (Italy). “The premises were good, but races are races. Now I just want to wish a big good luck for a speedy recovery to James”. After the terrible accident, the British driver was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed a cerebral edema.

“Now I want to leave behind this disappointment quickly and think about the next challenge in Austin, with the goal of returning to Le Mans next year ready for a redeem”. The appointment with FIA WEC is therefore set for September 20th, with the fourth round at the Circuit of the Americas.

FIA WEC – Davide Rigon: "24 Hours of Le Mans, a dream coming true"

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This weekend the spotlight will turn on the 82nd Edition of the 24 Heures du Mans, the most important and eagerly-awaited race in the Endurance panorama, and not only.
Among more than 160 riders, there will also be Davide Rigon, at the wheel of the Ferrari 458 GTE #71 of AF Corse Team, making his debut at the Circuit de la Sarthe, in pair with James Calado and Oliver Beretta. “A dream coming true. All drivers wish to run the 24H of Le Mans at least once”, the 27-year-old driver from Veneto (Italy) says.

For Davide, it will be the fourth 24H race, but the first time at Le Mans, after the races of 2008-2012-2013 alongside the amazing ups and downs of Spa-Francorchamps, with the success at the first chance at Ferrari, in the FIA World GT. “The fact I already have an experience in 24H races will be an advantage. I already know what to expect and how to measure forces, although Le Mans remains a unique race. Both for me and my team-mate James this will be the debut, but we have worked hard in these weeks to get prepared. Sharing the box with Fisichella-Bruni-Villander is certainly very stimulating”, the driver of Maranello continues.

During the collective test of the beginning of this month, Davide has begun to become familiar with French track, long more than 13 Km. “I’ve never driven on a circuit where a complete lap takes nearly 4 minutes. It’s really something crazy. I’ve had the opportunity to study the circuit through the simulator and some videos, but actually driving it is something sensational. You have to keep the concentration level very high and also for a long time, and I’ve been working hard on this with my trainer. There will be the opportunity to do three consecutive hours of race and I want to be prepared”.
The 24 Hours will also be the third round of the FIA WEC and crew #71 will arrive at the start on the strength of the fifth position. “The evaluation so far is certainly positive. Now we have several kilometres behind and several hours of driving at the wheel of Ferrari. Both my team-mate and I are young drivers, with a great desire to learn and to get noticed. Thanks to AF Corse and Ferrari we have everything on hand to make it right”, the driver of Minardi Management concludes.

Curtains will be risen already on Wednesday night at 10 pm with the first of three qualifying sessions, which will conclude on Thursday 12 June, giving way to warm-up on Saturday (9.00 am) before the official start, with Fernando Alonso ready to wave the French flag at 3 pm.

Canadian GP – Drivers' Scorecard

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After the Canadian Grand Prix, and the closing of this American parenthesis, it’s time to give some votes.

Daniel Ricciardo – 9 He showed what he’s made: should anyone still had any doubts about him, he must have changed his mind. No doubt, he’s the positive revelation of this season.

Nico Rosberg – 9 He brought home a second place despite a car that during the race experienced some reliability problems. Since qualifying and in the early stages of the race he showed to his team-mate that he’s a tough nut.

Jean-Eric Vergne – 7.5 Excellent qualifying and race for the Toro Rosso driver, who keeps the Faenza’s team before Lotus.

Lewis Hamilton – 7 Unfortunately, for the second time he was knocked out by reliability.

Felipe Massa – 7 Unfortunately, shortly after the race I was misled and in the first comments I put all the blame on him. He was actually the author of a great race, messed-up by Perez.

Jenson Button – 7.5 A good fourth place for the English driver, despite a McLaren not at the top.

In what proved to be the most exciting race of the year, I would give all the others a 6, both as an encouragement and for the show that they were able to create anyway.

To raise their paddles for the teams: I’d give it a beautiful 9 to Red Bull for winning their first race in this 2014, interrupting the supremacy of Mercedes and beating everyone to the draw with the contract of Adrian Newey. A good 8 to Williams and Toro Rosso. One point less for Force India. Unfortunately, the promises have not been followed by facts, and so Ferrari gets a narrow 6, only for its reliability.

Points and Top Ten for Joao Vieira at Adria in the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth

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At the Adria International Raceway, the 16 year-old Brazilian driver Joao Vieira has closed the first race of the Italian Championship F.4 powered by Abarth, the new championship strongly wanted by FIA and brought on track by ACI.

Coming from the world of Kart, at his debut at the wheel of F4 Tatuus T014 motorized Abarth 160 Hp, the young Brazilian of Antonelli Motorsport has ended the first of the seven appointments finishing in Top Ten and scoring the first point of the season.

In a line-up consisting of 22 open-wheel cars, Joao defended himself by closing the two qualifications in the first five rows, respectively with the eighth and ninth fastest lap. The greatest satisfaction came in the second of the three races, when he brought his #28 to ninth place, scoring the best result among the Antonelli’s boys, after being forced to recover in Race 1 for a not perfect start. It was a weekend of apprentice: at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit of Imola, where the next race is scheduled for June 29th, he will be able to put into practice the experience gained.

“I am very pleased with the weekend of Joao. Given the lack of experience, it was a very good weekend. He has made a big leap in quality since the last day of testing, done just in Adria, but unfortunately we paid some electrical problems that caused a lost in power to the engine. Diversely, in Race 3 we could have scored a very good result, considering that before the retirement from the race we were in seventh position, going as fast as the group before us. However, again, a nice weekend and in constant improvement, which bodes well for the next round at Imola, even if we talk about a much harder track which he doesn’t know”, Giovanni Minardi comments.

Canadian GP – THE POINT… by Gian Carlo Minardi

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It’s a Formula 1 that never ceases to amaze and surprise us, with several cars packed into a few tenths. Very little is needed to destabilize it and thus the supremacy Mercedes was abruptly interrupted (after six consecutive wins), with the first victory of Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull.

Within a few laps we had a significant turnaround, with the second seasonal retirement of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg giving way to Ricciardo, achieving a second place important, however, in the view of World Championship. Mercedes is still on top, but this “stop” keeps the Championship alive, with Red Bull and Renault strongly growing, unlike Ferrari that cannot keep the pace of the leaders, proving to be actually the fourth team. With the renewal of the contract to Adrian Newey, Red Bull has destabilized the Circus. They managed to convince the coach that everyone would like to have. Sebastian Vettel has sought to demonstrate that he is still the #1 within the team, but he had to settle – so to speak – for the third step of the podium. Fernando Alonso has proven to be still the number 1 within Ferrari, while Kimi Raikkonen is still experiencing a particularly difficult time.

Very good performance for Force India and Williams. Unfortunately in the last lap Felipe Massa made a terrible mistake that has frustrated not only his race, but a good result for his team and especially for Perez and Force India. He wanted to overdo it, pushed by the adrenaline of the excellent moment.

Now we go back to Europe, with few certainties and many unknowns!


Canadian GP – PREVIEW

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We’ve arrived at the seventh round of F1 World Championship and we are fast approaching mid-season. This weekend, Formula 1 flies overseas to Canada, Montreal, before coming back again to the Old Continent with six consecutive races, ranging from Austrian GP (returning this year in F1 calendar) to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

It is a mixed track, halfway between street and permanent circuit, extremely difficult due to high consumption and important breaks. Also, we must not forget the weather issue, with the winds from the two Oceans that might influence the course of the race. We arrive at the circuit named after Gilles Villeneuve, with the hope of seeing Ferrari ready to redeem thanks to the numerous novelties of which we have been hearing so much about. The objective of Maranello has to be the third step of the podium and the second place among Constructors, i.e. the first among the “others”. To do so, however, they need major and constant developments, also because we see a Red Bull constantly growing, ready to chase the invincible Mercedes.

Daniel Ricciardo is galvanized by the two consecutive podium finishes, but I would not give for missing a four-time World Champion such as Sebastian Vettel, even though, to date, it has happened all that once happened to Webber. At Red Bull’s the atmosphere is certainly not serene, with Adrian Newey ready for a sabbatical year.

In this beginning of the season we have seen starting grids and arrivals consisting of teams’ pairs, with two Mercedes, two Red Bull and two Ferrari, with Williams, Force India and Toro Rosso ready to bring home positions and important points, also taking advantage of errors by the top teams. Even here in Canada, I expect a very similar plot. Excluding the first six places, there are four positions left to complete the Top Ten. The ones more prepared and capable to hit the race will then be the ones to smile, coming back to Europe with a good outcome.

Force India will try to keep the fourth position, with Massa and Bottas ready to overtake McLaren for fifth place.

Bye "Shark", bye Vincenzo

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Today is a sad day for Minardi Team. After a long illness, Vincenzo Emiliani, named by friends “Lo Squalo” (“The Shark”), long time designer of the Minardi team, left us. Together with Eng. Caliri, he was the first designer of the Faenza team, since the days of Formula 2, remaining in the group until the end of the 90s, before moving on to the court of the Japanese giant Toyota.

Today, to accompany him on his last journey, there were many friends of that historical group that with great passion and professionalism contributed to the passage of Minardi Team from F2 to F1.

Bye bye Vincenzo!

Gian Carlo Minardi: "Formula 1 needs facts"

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Formula 1 is probably experiencing one of its most difficult moments, dealing with the economic crisis, the decline of the audience and the inexorable increase of costs.

Every day we read proposals to try to reduce costs, with important alarms from most of the teams who complain about the difficulty in closing budgets. “I believe Formula 1 is going through a period of great confusion. The economic side is dangerously affecting all choices and decisions looking at the future”, Gian Carlo Minardi says at the website minardi.it. “Excluding three or four teams, all the others are in big troubles. How to solve this situation is not straightforward. The technical decisions taken have certainly worsened the situation”.

The latest proposal to reduce costs would be to remove again the season tests, reducing also the pre-season days. “What is needed is to gather around a table and find practical and intelligent solutions. Not palliative treatments. Formula 1 needs to be redrawn, from sporting to technical rules, bringing the show back and the Circus closer to the fans. I don’t think that the right way to reduce costs is the elimination of road tests”.

The rising of costs and the global crisis, with a corresponding drop in the number of Sponsors, has led to an increase in debts, reaching mind-boggling amounts for some Teams. “Facing certain debts, I don’t think it’s still possible to maintain a starting grid worthy of the highest expression of worldwide motorsport: the continuation of this lack of interest of the public could cause a loss of more revenues, deriving from television rights. Therefore new rules are urgently needed, in my opinion mainly sporting rules able to bring radical changes. Formula 1 has to question openly the problems that undermine the system and find serious solutions, not just small variations such as a reduction of tests, third car for customers, and so on”, the manager from Faenza says.

Davide Rigon: "Waiting for Le Mans"

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In a little more than two weeks the spotlight will turn on the most prestigious competition in the Endurance landscape, the 24 Hours of Le Mans: among the 168 pilots, there will be also Davide Rigon, in pair with Calado and Olivier Beretta, at the wheel of the Ferrari 458 AF Corse. The talented driver from Veneto (Italy) arrives to the appointment which is worth a season, on the strength of the podium at Spa-Francorchamps and of fifth place obtained in the opening race at Silverstone, which launched the crew #71 at fifth place in classification. “The evaluation so far is certainly positive. At Silverstone we collected less than deserved, while at Spa everything went great. The maximum would have been the second place”, Davide Rigon comments. “Now we have several kilometres behind and begin to be very familiar with the car and the team, with whom there’s a great feeling”.

Along with Bruni and Vilander, you have made Ferrari and AF Corse the leaders in their respective classifications. What are your goals?

The main objective is to bring Ferrari to success among the Constructors and then, in succession, to achieve the titles for teams and drivers, thus trying to repeat the three of last year. We’ll try to win the Drivers’ Championship, even though we are rookies. For James this is the first experience in GT, while for me it’s their first season as official driver. Last year, thanks to 8Star Team, I had the chance to get to know the championship, but now I feel much the weight of responsibility. Thanks to AF Corse and Ferrari we have everything on hand to make it right. We are professionals and we have to give the 100%.

What about your relationship with the other Ferrari drivers?

There is a great team spirit and we work very well together, also sharing the data. Gimmi and Vilander are two champions with an extensive experience: I can learn a lot from them. We have a great engineer with whom we feel very well: we build the car in order to suit our needs.

After Silverstone and Spa, now it’s time for the 24H of Le Mans.

It’s the most important race of the year and one of the finest in history. All drivers wish to run the 24H of Le Mans at least once, for its charm and importance. Perhaps it is worth more than a win in Monte Carlo. For me it will be the first time and I cannot wait.

What are your goals?

The objectives are clear. We have to run for the podium, if not for the victory. We know that it will be very tough – especially for us, considering that we are at the debut – although on our side we can count on Olivier Beretta, who can already claim a victory. We are ready to challenge ourselves: we have already analyzed and studied different strategies and we’ll have an important reference with our fellows Fisichella-Bruni-Vilander, who know this race very well. We’ll try to keep their pace in the race.

Have you already had the chance to get to know the track?

I will experiment the track for the first time in the official tests before the race. As far as now, I’ve had the opportunity to study the circuit through the simulator and some videos. It’s a very long track: I’ve never driven on a circuit where a complete lap takes nearly 4 minutes.

It will be the first time at Le Mans for you, but the fourth in a 24H race, with the 2008 success in FIA GT.

I have already run three times a 24H, although all of them on the track of Spa-Francorchamps. In 2008 I won at the debut in the FIA World GT with the Ferrari of Scuderia Italia, while in Blancpain Endurance Series I had to retire both times, including last year in the last hour of the race, due to an engine failure. I know what it means not sleeping at night. It’s a really tough race where we should not leave anything to the rivals.

What kind of physical preparation is required for this kind of race?

This year, with my trainer Emiliano Maraldi of the Driver Program Center of Forlì, we are working primarily on floor exercises with aerobic workouts and on reflexes, continuing with the program of last year. In terms of physical strength, endurance races are less demanding than Formula ones, while they require a greater resistance to heat and to extended “suffering”. Especially in the 24H I’ll have to stay several hours in the car, with stints of even three hours. For this reason, I don’t want to arrive unprepared to this important appointment.

Monaco GP – Drivers’ Scorecard

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At this time, the ranking of teams is well defined, especially regarding Qualifying, with two Mercedes, two Red Bull, two Ferrari and two Toro Rosso, along with some “interferences” such as McLaren and Force India. This situation is repeated in the race too: last Sunday, it was a little less defined (two Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, Force India, Williams, Lotus, McLaren and Marussia), also because of the heavy debacle of Renault engines and for the particularity of the track. With the return to Europe it will be better highlighted again.
The difference will be made – beyond the technical values – also by the available budgets. The situation is quite critical for different teams, with bells ringing for the dead. This factor will definitely have an influence on the starting grid.

That said, let’s go with the votes:

Nico Rosberg – 9 He did very well all weekend, “hiding” in free practice, since he has never completed what I call the “filotto”, that is the best time in all sectors – something that, on the other hand, he achieved in Qualifying. I do not see any cheating from his side. He would even deserve a 10, but I do not approve his behaviour at the restart after the safety-car, even though he had the right to do what he did. A 10 is also deserved by Mercedes: with Nico and Lewis, they did not yield anything.

Jules Bianchi – 8.5 He took home an “encyclopedic” result. Two points (which could have been more without the questionable penalty) that are the life for a small team. I identify with their situation. Two points that mean survival and almost certainly a permanence in the Top 10, therefore television rights.

Daniel Ricciardo – 8 Great race for the Australian. In the end, he tried to attack a Hamilton with some physical problems, giving all out.

Lewis Hamilton – 7.5 He tried to trouble his team-mate, proving its limits of character and of inability to withstand the pressure. A pilot can not and do not have to act like he did both on the podium and in the moments before and after the race, evidently trying to annoy his team-mate.

Felipe Massa – 7 He was the author of an amazing race, penalized by Ericsson in Qualifying. In the first step he made a number of turns like on one, proving to manage well the tyres. A good seventh place for him and for the team.

Nico Hulkenberg – 7 Started from the sixth row, he ended with an outstanding fifth place among the steep streets of the Principality, bringing to the team precious points for retaining the fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

Kimi Raikkonen – 7 Although he made the mistake at the Loews, he was the author of a great start. Unfortunately the contact with Chilton has compromised his best day since he’s been back in Red.

Fernando Alonso – 7 He accused some technical problems, in particular with a loss of power at start. He fought for fourth place, the actual position of Ferrari.

Daniil Kvyat – 6 of encouragement. Despite the incident in practice – which might happen – he brought the car into the Top Ten, together with Vergne. Both he and his team-mate have been victims of the black day for the Renault power-unit.

All other pilots: insufficient, including Sebastian Vettel, who is suffering the team-mate. Within the team there’s a situation of great irritability, that could lead Adrian Newey to take a gap year (read more here), returning in the Circus in 2016. The talented engineer might not be the only one to change air… A hot half and end of the season is taking shape, especially if the teams will not be able to put the pieces in place in order to bother the supremacy of Mercedes.

Minardi: "Red Bull not releasing itself from Renault? A sabbatical year for Newey"

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With the Grand Prix of Monte Carlo, teams traditionally begin to lay the foundations for the new year, especially on the front of power-units.

The leitmotif of the weekend in Monaco has been the debacle of the Renault power-units, which have laid out the races of Vettel, Kvyat, Vergne and Maldonado. Only Daniel Ricciardo kept up the honour of the transalpine manufacturer, with a third place at finish which also means the second consecutive podium for the Australian driver. Despite a power-unit with a deficit of about 80-90 hp, in the final stages of the race the Australian pilot was able to fight on an even footing with Hamilton’s Mercedes.

As we said, in the motor-homes the negotiations for 2015 have begun, especially at Red Bull’s. “The World Champions are unable to free themselves from the contract for the supply of next season”, Gian Carlo Minardi comments at the website minardi.it. “This could result in important changes, both regarding technicians and pilots. Adrian Newey might take a year off, waiting to return to the Circus in 2016 with other colours. The same could apply to those drivers who are no longer willing to lose”, the manager from Faenza continues.

Several engine manufacturers would be interested in entering F1 (BMW and Toyota in first place), provided that they find a valid technical partner. “The team not satisfied with their situation have explored alternative scenarios, in order to evaluate new supplies. The new engine manufacturers are interested in finding a valid technical partner that enables them to win straight away. Therefore, if the top teams confirm the current partnerships, the entry of these new players may be deferred”, the ex-constructor from Faenza concludes.