F.1 – Road to Bahrain

/in /by

We’re quickly getting closer to Bahrain, the fourth appointment of this World Championship. A fifth part of the season is now gone. As we know, it will be a night race and this could penalize Ferrari, removing a part of the advantage of using the Soft and Medium tyres, even if track temperatures will remain hot (obviously as hot as Sepang levels). We get to the circuit that signed Ferrari’s reorganization in 2014. Last year, at the end of a race, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen used to close in ninth/tenth position. This year, we arrive with a very different spirit.

Ferrari presents itself as the second force of the World Championship, first among the terrestrials. A result that makes us think, especially after a 2014 full of tension. The stopwatch, real unique neutral arbiter, however, is unforgiving towards all. The German team has once again showed its supremacy in China, especially in fast laps, imposing itself from beginning to end. Lewis Hamilton has played not only with opponents, but also creating a few battles with the teammate, as we heard in the post-gp by Rosberg, alternatively angry and frustrated.

This Formula 1 that makes us think about and worry us especially for what happened in Shanghai at Renault. The disastrous Sunday has not gone unnoticed, creating many doubts and concerns. Kvyat and Verstappen are already preparing to use the third engine of the four available engines in total. The Dutch of Red Bull was forced to throw away an eighth place, which was gained on track just three laps to go. Reliable sources anticipate us that before the Spanish Grand Prix an Extraordinary Board of Directors will be held directly by the Chairman and CEO of Renault, Carlos Ghosn, who will be about Renault’s situation in Formula 1. It’s certainly not a good sign. A finalized Board of Directors may open in two scenarios: direct engagement with its own team (we have already talked about), or other more drastic “situations”. It’s true that there are agreements until 2016 with Red Bull and Toro Rosso, but it would not be the first time that a constructor takes bad roads for our sport. Do not forget that there is another giant in great difficulty, Honda. Being in the rear, when just twelve months ago McLaren firmly occupied the score zone, is not an exciting show.

Let’s go back to the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix: Ferrari has certainly made a step forward compared to last season. The victory and two podiums are a clear and create excitement; let’s hope this’ll be helpful to overcome the gap that still exists. The current standings (1-Mercedes, 2-Ferrari, 3-Williams, 4-Sauber, 5-Red Bull, 6-Toro Rosso, 7-Force India, 8-Lotus, 9-McLaren, 10-Marussia) underlines the difficulties of Red Bull, Force India and above all McLaren. Sauber, taking advantage of the other’s difficulties, won important points. As for Toro Rosso, we wish the confirmation of a positive mood that showed it being consistently up or beyond the standard on track of Red Bull itself.

It will still be a hot weekend in the back box; everybody’ll busy to observe the movements and contacts of Team Principals, to grasp the possible evolutions.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – China Gp: DRIVERS’ SCORECARDS

/in /by

Lewis Hamilton – 10 He was absolutely perfect, throughout the weekend. He was disarming for all his rivals, when at the 30th passage (the 16th lap with Soft tyres) he marked the fastest time in 1’42″208 against a 1’42″565 of Rosberg and 1’43″018 of Vettel (scored in the 15th passage, with fresh Soft tyres).

Sebastian Vettel – 8 He did not make mistakes in making the most of his Ferrari, confirming as the second force in the world championship

Nico Rosberg – 8 The attempting to snatch pole to the teammate (missed for just 42 thousandths of a second) are the reason of this vote. For the rest, he seems resigned by the overwhelming power of Lewis.

Kimi Raikkonen – 8 Amazing start, with a first round as a true world champion that makes you forget a Qualyfing, once again, under his chances. He immediately got rid of the two Williams, helping with the fourth place to consolidate the second place among Ferrari’s Constructors.

Felipe Massa – 8 He continues to trouble his teammate, defending himself with a car that, for the moment, is not up to the 2014. Great his fourth place in Qualifying.

Max Verstappen – 8 Good race and he deserved the missed points because of  a technical problem, in the last kilometres. He gave us some good overtakings as an experienced driver, and not as a 17 years old driver who debuts in a F.1 world championship and on a track such as Shanghai.

Romain Grosjean – 7 As encouragement, for bringing the points to Lotus, which will have to work hard to return to the levels of 2013.

Fernando Alonso – 6.5 For the tenacity that he is putting into this season. He certainly did not expect it would be so hard.

Mercedes – 10 It wanted to forget right away the mistakes made in Sepang, legitimizing its technical advantage on track.

Ferrari – 8 Everything’s perfect in terms of strategies and reliability. Now is the second force in the championship, but work is not missing.

Williams – 7 It wanted to overturn a good project such as that of 2014, thus making a step back

Sauber – 7 Fourth power of the world championship, bringing home important points, waiting for the awakening of Red Bull and McLaren.

Toro Rosso – 7 Well done, it was a pity for the technical problems of Renault PU that have undermined efforts.

Red Bull – 5 It’s lost its guiding star. Strange for a four-times world champion team, with great technical and economic potential. The problems do not just come from the PU. Perhaps it need more peace and coolness.

Renault – 4 Looking for competitiveness, they’re sacrificing reliability. Verstappen and Kvyat will be forced to use down the third engine. And we have still to attend the fourth Grand Prix of the season.

Kart – Debut in KZ for Gianni Vigorito at La Conca circuit: “I’m very satisfied”

/in /by

Great debut for Gianni Vigorito, who signed his debut in the top KZ category at La Conca International circuit, scene of the third round of the WSK Super Master Series.

The bearer of OK1 Racing Team took a challenge against drivers with experience in the World and European Championships, managing a good recovery, with amazing 14 positions in just twenty overtakings in the Final. Starting from the twenty-sixth position, he was able to got to the top-ten. It was a weekend certainly not easy and full of technical problems that forced his team also to change the chassis in the warm-up, while in the pre-final a brake problem forced him to retirement, after just four laps. Despite the mishap, the bearer of Minardi Management didn’t give up and in the Final started a valuable recovery that leads to conquer the tenth position.

“It was my first race in KZ and I found myself having to fight with experienced drivers, also at the international level. The change of category was already planned, but with the team we decided to anticipate a weekend. Unfortunately, there have been problems, but in the final it was all for the best. Having started from 24th position, I recovered up to tenth place. Not bad. Now I look forward Sarno’s challenge with great trepidation”, Gianni Vigorito comments.

“An international debut in KZ for Gianni, above expectations, resulting the second best IPK chassis, conquering the top-ten. His change of category was already planned, but we thought to anticipate it, in view of the last meeting in Naples. A weekend with a few problems, but he was able to be calm, continuing to fight on track. In Sarno he can put on track the experience gained here“, Alberto Tonti analyses.

The next date for Gianni Vigorito will be the fourth, and final, round of the WSK Super Master Series, scheduled on the international track of Naples on April 23th – 26th.

Photo: Alex Racebox

Kart – Important points for Karol Basz at La Conca circuit

/in /by

Still a positive result for Karol Basz, busy this weekend on La Conca International Circuit, the third round of the WSK Super Master Series.

Thanks to the successes in the first two appointments of Adria and Branduzzo, the Polish driver of Kosmic Racing Team confirms its leadership in the championship, bringing the total reward to 220 points. The preconditions to put his signature on another important result are already proved, right from the beginning, achieving the third place in the Qualifying Heats, after two podiums in A-B and A-C Qualifying Heat. In the pre-final, the bearer of Minardi Management touches the podium, to close the Finale with sixth place.

“The weekend went well, but unfortunately we had a speed problem, especially in the final, which didn’t give me the chance to fight for the victory. I’m still leading the championship and now look forward to the final round of Sarno, in order to close as best as possible the WSK Super Master Series”, the Polish driver, Karol Basz, says.

“For Karol it was a good testbed in view of the World Championship, which will take place in September. Although our goal is always the victory, considering his skills, the result was positive, because, once again, he did not give up and kept driving with determination and nastiness. Now we have to go to Sarno concentrated with one goal: confirming at the top of the standings, to win the championship“, Alberto Tonti analyses.

The WSK Super Master Series will end in Naples during the weekend of April 26th.

F.1 – China Gp: THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

/in /by

The Chinese Grand Prix highlighted the actual forces on track, with Mercedes-Ferrari-Williams. Behind them, a good battle for the fourth Constructor place with Sauber-Red Bull and Toro Rosso. A Sauber who is making the most of a good start of the season, bringing two cars in the score zone. Toro Rosso is definitely unluckily, which accused a double technical problem to its cars, with Verstappen’s withdrawal. The aim of gaining new points was shattered two laps from the end, because of Verstappen’s withdrawal due to technical problems, depriving us of a possible battle between Raikkonen and Vettel, ending the race with the safety car. Previously, also Sainz Jr. had suffered a technical problem, losing several positions, including the score zone.

Mercedes proved its strength with a new double and no strategy mistakes. Hamilton’s fastest lap just before changing the tyres is an important signal. The English driver raced with his rivals and his teammate demonstrating its force, even within the team. He managed to race as he wanted and pressing Rosberg, scoring a series of fast laps when needed.

After the victory two weeks ago, for Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel the third consecutive podium has finally arrived. The SF15-T defends better with the Soft, thanks also to the type of asphalt. With a stunning start, Raikkonen won the place at the foot of the podium, placing immediately behind the two Williams. A podium that certainly remains.

The two Sauber, Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull and Grosjean completed the Top-Ten. Ricciardo fought with tooth and nail to achieve the position and, while Grosjean gave the Lotus a very valuable seventh place.

A normal race, with some good fight in the rear with nice overtakings between Toro Rosso and Sauber. Lacking important teams, such as Red Bull and McLaren, for team of second grid scoring points will become “easier”. They have to try to take advantage from every opportunity, to increase the reward. Maybe these teams cannot find soon the competitiveness. McLaren, lap after lap, makes great progresses, although they are still very far away.

In 8 days, there will be another important race in Bahrain, where the temperature of the asphalt will be crucial. Pirelli will bring the Soft and Medium tyres and again, racing at night, the temperature will be lower. Therefore, Ferrari may reduce slightly its gap.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – Road To Shanghai

/in /by

These are special days for me, because 30 years ago, exactly on April 7th 1985, began Minardi team’s adventure in Formula 1, in Brazil, ending after 340 Grand Prix in China, the scene of the next round of the World Championship. For many years China has been the arbiter of the world championship, especially when it was held at the end of the season.

It’s a Tilke’s circuit, with very similar characteristics to Sepang, where even the weather conditions play an important role on the final result. In recent years, we have experienced tests and races with variable weather. In 2014, for example, the Qualifying were under the rain, while race with dry conditions. Ferrari, in that circumstance, it was very good at exploiting this variable conquering the podium with Fernando Alonso.

It consists of 16 corners and 3 straights with an asphalt that does not solicit the tyres too. For this reason, Pirelli brings Soft and Medium. Two types of compounds that could favor the ST-15T, which does not exploit the tyres. The strategies will be played on two or three pit stops. Last year most of the team opted for two stops.

We come from a ten days “hangover” thanks to the victory of Seb, where it is rightly praised this imported result, but I loved the statements of Maurizio Arrivabene at the end of GP: “...feet on the ground and drive”. I do not think that Mercedes will give other gifts, but Shanghai will be a good test for Maranello, that will try to confirm itself as second force of the World Championship, ahead of Williams. The W06 has shown, however, to have still a considerable technical advantage.

To date, the surprise is Toro Rosso, at the fifth position among the Constructors, a few points behind Sauber and Red Bull, which is in chaos. The two young drivers in Malaysia have managed to get behind Ricciardo and Kvyat, bringing home two important results despite a PU Renault (the same of elder cousins) did not live. This means that problems of RB11 do not comes only from the engine. We hope that they stop arguing and start working in the same direction.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – Minardi: “Monza, along with Silverstone and Monte Carlo, is Formula 1”

/in /by

These are difficult days for Motorsport in the Old Country. Emerging countries are making their way quickly and so, after losing France in the last few years, this year it is the turn of Germany, which will have its Formula 1 Grand Prix. Hockenheim and Nurburgring stand aside. “We are talking about circuits that are part of a nation at the height of motor racing, not only sportingly speaking. However, they will not have a Grand Prix. This should make us think about”, Gian Carlo Minardi says.

Unfortunately, also in Italy could occur the same shortly? In 2016 the agreement between FOA and Monza will expire. The Italian Grand Prix is at great risk. At this time, Monza track, the Temple of Speed, is called an effort on two fronts: the renewal of its structures, to adapt to the needs of the two and four wheels, and finding all necessary resources (22-24 million euro) to prolong the agreement with Mr. Ecclestone. “So far, Monza has enjoyed privileged treatment compared to the average of the European and non-European countries”, the manager from Faenza says. With the current contracts, the only source of income for the event organizer comes from ticket sales. “Royalties and logistics depend on FOA. Too little to survive and cover all costs”. Minardi, however, focuses the attention to an important aspect.

“In seven/ten days, a Formula 1 Grand Prix moves, in areas where it takes place, a turnover amounting to 100-120 million dollars, reaching hundreds of millions of people per event, through television and newspapers around the world” – staggering numbers – “that only the Olympics and various World Championships can reach, but every four years. Formula 1 represents a real economic benefit for state assets. Precisely for this reason, Formula 1 must be treated as World Swimming Championships, the Olympics or World Football Championships, events in which not only the Sports Federation but also the Government can intervene. Do not forget that Italy has the Number One cultural heritage in the world, which is envied by all. Therefore, we should use Formula 1 as a magnet to attract tourists, studying holiday packages, Pre and Post GPs, with worldwide tour operators. Besides, we are talking about a city which is easily accessible by plane and high-speed trains”.

The policy implemented by emerging nations, like Malaysia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Russia and so on, is going in this direction. “They bet on Formula 1 to grow tourism, commercial and industrial sectors. Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur were the first among the new entries in recent years. Petronas itself has taken advantage of Motorsport’s image to become a global giant. The same holds true for cities like Imola or, going back several years, Adelaide. Before F1, who knew them?“

Do not forget that Motorsport is not just a élite Sport. Behind every car, there are millions of jobs in the world and certainly hundreds of thousands in our country. An income that generates a quite relevant turnover. “This is the reason why I want to wish the President of Milan Automobile Club, Ivan Capelli, good luck for the start of negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone and our ACI President Sticchi Damiani, who cares about the existence of Italian Grand Prix and Monza’s safeguard. He will make every effort to find the right funds and agreements”. Gian Carlo Minardi concludes: “Monza, along with Silverstone and Monte Carlo, is Formula 1“.

F.1 – Malaysian GP: DRIVERS' SCORECARD

/in /by

After the great victory of Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari before the two Mercedes, let’s give votes to the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel – 10 He predicts that his victory was not easy, indeed. All we expected again two unattainable silver arrows, but instead he stood out with his Ferrari #5. Good job, as well as team’s job that get the exact strategies, since Qualifying. He was constantly attacking without making the slightest mistake. It was very mice the overtake on the World Champion, Hamilton.

Kimi Raikkonen – 8 He made a mistake which is not proper to a World Champion in Qualifying and it costed him the access in Q3 and a slower start with the result of ending up in the middle of the group with a puncture. However, he managed to recover up to the fourth position.

Lewis Hamilton – 8 Fantastic pole position, but he was penalized by Mercedes in trouble with tyres on this track. Good his 1’43″161 at the 41st round, against 1’43″782 of Vettel at the 40th round.

Nico Rosberg – 7 He completed his homework, driving without malice, except scoring in the final an incredible time lap of 1’42’062, or 1″ faster than the best lap in the race last year. I’d like to have some explanation.

Felipe Massa e Valtteri Bottas – 6,5 After Australia, we will have certainly expected something more, but last year the Williams had been in difficulty. Maybe the car does not fit Sepang circuit or extreme heat. According to the current standings, they have become the third force.

Amazing battles at Red Bull, between Daniil Kvyat (7.5) and Daniel Ricciardo (7), and Toro Rosso. The two young drivers Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr. are not betraying the expectations. To them I give an 8.

Pastor Maldonado – 5 FIA removes even 3 points from his license for excess speed under safety car. Now has several races behind.

Nico Hulkenberg 5 Sergio Perez 4 Weekend to forget for Force India and its drivers, which closed respectively in 14th and 13th place (out of 15 classified cars), Moreover, they lose 2 points on their licenses for the contacts against Kvyat and Grosjean.

McLaren – NC They are still too far away from the group and from top positions, despite an improvement over a fortnight ago. There is still much work to do.

Kart – Matteo Nannini greets the Rok Nord 60 with an excellent second placement. “The 125 is the new challenge”

/in /by

From the second place in Lonato to the second place in Nizza Monferrato. Matteo Nannini continues to impress, continuing quickly the new season with the Energy material.

Right from the beginning, the young Italian Champion from Forlì sets the pace, by signing the fastest chronometric result in Qualifying, before achieving the pole position with a best lap of 47″728 of Rok North 60, leaving behind 28 drivers. In the first race, Matteo is once again the fastest, racing with Qualifying lap times, but he had to be satisfied with the second place. In the final, Matteo is determined to reach the top step of the podium, after demonstrating to have the right stuff on track. Unfortunately someone crashed into his car, removing him from victory’s battle. Undeterred, he recovered, ending the last Mini 60’s race with a fifth place. For Nannini, a chapter ended. The next challenge, at the International Circuit 7 Laghi in Castelletto di Branduzzo – Pavia – a new chapter will begin in KFJ with 125.

“On one hand I am very happy because I was constantly the fastest on track. Unfortunately, I bring home only a second place. In the final, a contact denied me the chance to win. A real shame. But tomorrow a new challenge with the 125 will begin and I’ve already tested it in recent months, scoring the fastest time in testing. Pavia’s race, being the first, will be a real test, to make any assessment in view of subsequent appointments. I don’t wait to start”, a smiling Matteo Nannini says.

“I have to congratulate Matteo. Throughout the weekend, he was the fastest, demonstrating his talent. Unfortunately in the final his car was crashed. The dispensation has finally arrived and now the parenthesis of 60 ended, full of successes and rich in the title of 2014 Italian Champion. From tomorrow, we turn the page and get to race with the up category. The first race will be the “zero”. I am sure that with the 125 he is able to fight for important positions”, the manager Giovanni Minardi analyzes.

F.1 – Malaysian GP – THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

/in /by

INCREDIBLE! Ferrari made a big step forward compared to last season, giving us this unexpected result: an important victory, but as rightly said Maurizio Arrivabene: “Feet on the ground and drive“.

Stopwatch in hand, the SF15-T earned 8 dec on lap performance compared to 12 months ago, including improving the setup with tyres in the long run, as you had already seen since Friday. There are things that have left me puzzled, because with virtually very similar conditions (such as temperature and type of tyres), Ferrari was the only car to have actually improved, reaching the win. Last year, the fastest lap in race was marked by Hamilton in 1’43″066, while today Rosberg scored a 1’42″062 (medium) on the finish. An improvement of 1″ from Mercedes, but it didn’t highlighted in the weekend. Ferrari passed from Alonso’s best lap of 1’44.165 to Vettel’s in 1’43.782. Very positive result. The team did a good job, guessing strategies since Qualifying. It was different for Raikkonen. In Qualifying, he committed an assessment mistake, which is not as World Champion. Arrivabene, however, was direct, clear and precise, pointing out that it was driver’s mistake. This stance bodes well, keeping the team together and makes the driver feel responsible for. Even at the start, he wasn’t perfect, finishing into the group, where it’s easy to touch. And so it was.

Mercedes’ weekend was not errors free. In Q1 the choice to put on the medium tyres didn’t help in race, then forcing them to use the hard. We are only at the second race of the season and it’s too early to make predictions. The ranking gives us the current forces in the field, with two Ferrari and two Mercedes in the first four positions, followed by Williams, Toro Rosso and Red Bull. It’ weird to see the two creatures of Newey lapped. McLaren continues to miss and, despite the leap in quality compared to Melbourne, it remains well behind. Toro Rosso is keeping its promises and the two rookies – Verstappen and Sainz – don’t regret certainly more experienced drivers. At this rate, the fifth place in Constructors Championship will be within their reach. Compared to winter tests and fifteen days ago, Sauber missed.

Sepang, beyond the strategies, gave us some good overtakes, both in top positions and in the rear, with battles also inside same the team, such as at Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Williams. On a real track, Formula 1 gave us the show that we want always to see, recovering what was missed in Australia.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – Road to Sepang

/in /by

After a first race in a semi-street circuit such as Melbourne, the Circus of F1 is ready to get to Sepang, on a permanent circuit with two straights about 1 kilometre long, medium-fast corners and quite stressed tyres. You go from speeds around 80-90 km/h out of the corners to reach 300 km/h at the end of the straight, before gearing down again in second. The car works in support and the asphalt is quite abrasive.

We are in the monsoon period, therefore track surface will be clean, but for the weekend are expected temperatures around 34 °C. Therefore, Pirelli will bring Medium and Hard compounds. It’s a Grand Prix pit characterized by 3-4 pit stops. Last year, only Force India tried the two stops, closing in fifth place with a gap of 47″, but the two Williams missed – 7th and 8th after a GP with difficulties – and Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari was out of the score zone. The choice of the two stop seems too risky, although this year the tyres get wear less easily.

After passing medical exams, Fernando Alonso will get at the wheel of his McLaren-Honda and Bottas will regularly on track, having recovered perfectly. Moreover, on Friday morning our bearer will be back on track, with Raffaele Marciello busy behind the wheel of the Sauber. The cars on the grid should go back to twenty, after the Australian forfeit Manor. So the interesting ideas will not miss. Once again, there’ll be fight between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, with the German driver forced to come up with something to keep in touch with the mate, without making mistakes. At the moment, in the internal challenge we are 1-0 for the World Champion. Behind them I see the advantage Williams on Ferrari, which has to contend with other Mercedes engines (Lotus and Force India). It will not be an easy weekend, where power consumption and can make a difference. After Vettel’s podium, Ferrari is called to repeat itself. But we must be down to earth. I read too much triumphalism. Let us remember that it is a team sport with developments step-by-step.

In Red Bull there is great nervousness, especially against Renault. The rumours on patron Mateschitz’ disinterest towards the F1 are increasingly insistent and the meetings between Red Bull and Renault are intensifying. This ferment could remove the focus required to recover the gap. Having dominated the scene for four years, so raise the tone at the first difficulty blaming the other teams have put in place an anti-RB policy to stop them, I do not find it correct. I clearly prefer the philosophy of Maranello when they say will win Mercedes on track.

Gian Carlo Minardi

 

F.4 – First contact with Mugello’s rain for Joao Vieira

/in /by

A little more than a month after Vallelunga’s weekend, which will launch the second season of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, Joao Vieira came back to work with Antonelli Motorsport team at Mugello Circuit.

A test day strongly conditioned by the rain, which gave to the young Brazilian driver of Minardi Management the opportunity to become familiar with the selective Tuscan track in difficult wet conditions. It was the first experience with the wet for Joao and the staff directed by Marco Antonelli, after the podium of last season on a dry track. “It was a very fruitful day. Having never shot under these conditions, it was an opportunity to do the right experience, as we are talking about a demanding track already under optimal conditions. We had no references with last year, but I’m happy because I made no mistakes. We took as our reference point the Formula 3 on track and chronometric results are proving us right“, Joao Vieira says.

“Having no references with the 2014, it’s difficult to judge. Due to rain and the numerous red flags, track conditions were never the same. Unfortunately we couldn’t do more than three consecutive timed laps. I am satisfied by the work done by Joao, who has never committed any error, even though it was his first contact with the Mugello in wet conditions”, the manager Giovanni Minardi analyses.

F.1 – Minardi: "A quarter of the budget for engine and gearbox? That's no good"

/in /by

The Australian Grand Prix, the opening race of the F1 World Championship, along with Mercedes ready to dominate the scene, showed us several teams in strong economic difficulty, asking for advances on 2014 rewards.

Over the past year, these scenes took place at a later time, toward the end of the season. Today, instead, we are awaiting only the second race. We had Force India (sixth team of 2014 World Championship) forced to race with the old car for most of the tests, Manor that currently haven’t still raced even a lap and lost the Caterham. “It’s a very serious matter that has to make us think about. I still maintain that the main evil is the exaggerated cost of the engines”, Gian Carlo Minardi analyses at the columns of www.minardi.it. “20 – 22 million dollars is a staggering price. The “engine-gearshift” entry can’t occupy a quarter of the team’s budget. We always talk about twelve engines per season per team. Four cars, plus four others for testing”, the manager from Faenza says.

“Only manufacturers can afford certain expenses, but at the moment they are only four (Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Renault), too few to ensure the spectacle of F1. For customer team is crazy. Mercedes claims a turnover of 440 million dollars … Such a competition doesn’t work. It’s too selective. At these budget levels, the current F1 Championship makes difficult to earn an adequate economic return for commercial sponsor that are not the manufacturers themselves, as it was instead a time ago”.

A famous Italian saying goes: “Non tirare troppo la corda…perché prima o poi si spezza” (- don’t’ take things too far -). And it’s like what is going on in this Formula 1. “We must review the regulations. We started in the right way, blocking the cost of engines to 5 million. It would have to continue on that way, to stabilize teams’ turnovers”.

Other signals dismay: Nurburgring’s about face is another highly negative signal. “The organizers of the historic German GP – always in F1 – give up and this shakes the wrists and worries for even our future. 2016 is fast approaching and we must give all necessary guarantees for the contract renewal of the Italian Grand Prix. The old country is likely to disappear from the world of Formula 1. Together with Silverstone and Monaco, we speak of the circuits that have shaped the history of this sport”. The new actors, such as Qatar, are ready to take over in their place. “Will they be sufficient to keep alive the Circus? The F1 has to take remedial action to take its fans back, approach them, find new resources and explore new strategies to reduce operating costs”.