Kart – Pole position and second place for Karol Basz at La Conca circuit

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Second appointment at La Conca International Circuit for the WSK Championship Cup KF of karting. Like a week ago, among the major players, the bearer of the Kosmic Racing Team, Karol Basz, stood out, confirming his good feeling with track and new team.

Once again, weather was rainy in Muro Leccese and, in addition, there was an unknown factor and one more difficulty, due to players who have had to struggle with the slimy asphalt. Since the first sessions, the driver from Krakow brought his kart #201 in top placement up to pole position in Qualifying rounds, repeating the result of last week, thanks to two wins and a second place. In preparation for Pre-Final and Final, Karol finished in fourth place, outdistanced only just 174 milliseconds from the best lap, closing the weekend with two excellent second placements. Once again, the challenge will be decided on the edge of tenths. “The weekend went well, both in dry and rainy conditions and I was able to be very fast. Without the problem of last weekend, I could win the Championship Cup just like last year. I am very happy with the work with Kosmic Racing Team“, Karol Basz, Minardi driver Management, analyses.

“The positive results of this weekend highlight the constancy of Karol. The two victories in the rain is a good business card, as well as two second places in the pre-final and final with dry track. Along with the great material of Kosmic, these prove to be a very interesting combination and something to check this season“, the supervisor of Minardi Kart, Alberto Tonti, says.

The next event is scheduled for the weekend of February 22nd in Lonato for the Winter Series.

Gian Carlo Minardi: “Stop Marussia? A mistake”

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Turned off the engines, the spotlights are now focused on Strategy Group’s decisions: on the agenda, there was the exception to let Marussia (or Manor GP) be on track with 2014 car. At the time, however, unanimity is not reached. Some teams, principally Force India, would be opposed to its comeback.

For team’s revival, the administration relies on the income of commercial rights, but times is short. Despite not having participated in the last three 2014 Grand Prix, the team from Banbury ended the season in ninth place, before Caterham and Sauber, thanks to the two points won by Jules Bianchi in Monaco Grand Prix. The team most in need, Force India and Sauber, opposing against its comeback, point to share proceeds. “An absurd and unsportsmanlike behavior”, Gian Carlo Minardi comments on his website www.minardi.it. “Opposing, small teams hope to split up the amount due to Marussia, but perhaps they did not count to ten. Get rid of the two Cinderellas, Marussia and Caterham, it means shortening the grid. Consequently, last line would be occupied by teams with far greater budgets and ambitions (see Force India itself, Sauber and Lotus), with commercial consequences and in terms of image to be verified”, the manager from Faenza analyses.

“This situation reminds me of the ’96-’97 seasons, when I defended very strongly the importance of small teams. I argued that without teams participating with great passion but limited means – hoping, who knows, to find the right funds for the future – in the last row there would inevitably finite big manufacturers. Situation that has repeatedly occurred in the 2000s The manufacturers are not waiting years to grow and achieve positive results; they have commercial and image objectives in the short and tangible consequence of the choices in those years, was that year after year we have lost almost all of them”, concludes Minardi. “I hope that it is not the final decision and that there is room for reasoning; Now as then, this sport needs also all those laboriously take part and hope to find the means for a more glorious sport future”.

Minardi-Alfa: that marriage, collapsed at the last

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During the launch of the SF15-T, Maranello’s new car entrusted to the right foot of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen for 2015 Formula 1 World Championship, the attention of media and fans has been also attracted by the appearance of “Alfa Romeo” logo on Prancing Horse’s body.

Immediately, the mind of Gian Carlo Minardi jumped back into the past, reaching 1983, when the manager from Faenza decided that his Minardi team was ready for the big jump in Formula 1World Championship. It was certainly a challenge for daredevils, considering the shocking levels that costs were reaching in those years. The streets of Minardi and Alfa crossed at the end of 1983, when Gian Carlo wrote a letter to President Massacesi, proposing to buy the F1 team for a total price of 1,800.000 Italian lire. Getting no response, he asked to be received personally. The constructor left the factories of the legendary Milan company with the promise of providing the eight-cylinder turbo.

On this basis, started the project of the M184, consisting of a body made of Avional, carbon fiber and kevlar layers, high side-pods to give space to the radiators and an original triplane spoiler with mono-support and side flaps. Beating heart had to be precisely the eight-cylinder of Alfa Romeo. It had to be, in fact. The adventure Minardi-Alfa was ready to start, but with a cold and unexpected shower, President Massacesi announced, out of the blue, that marriage could not to be done. Damage was done, but too late to stop and surrender. There was no choice but to modify the M184 using the naturally aspirated Ford-Cosworth engine.

Hoverwer, in 1985 began the great and amazing (allow us) adventure of Minardi Team in Formula 1 World Championship at the wheel with Pierluigi Martini, lasted then over twenty years, no less.

Jerez, Winter test – Tireless Mercedes

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Ended the first four days of test at the Spanish track of Jerez, for teams it is time to come back to the headquarters, starting to analyse all data and prepare the next test, scheduled in Barcelona in a fortnight.

After analysing teams’ work together with Gian Carlo Minardi (read here), we try to sum up all driven kilometres, in order to assess newborn cars reliability. Mercedes World Champions are workaholic for session, gather up 2285 km (516 rounds). Nico Rosberg collects 308 rounds in two days, while the champion in office, Lewis Hamilton, “stops” to 208 rounds.

In second place, left behind with 634 km, we find Sauber (1651 km) with the brand-new pair Ericsson-Nasr. The Swedish driver gather 185 rounds, only three less than his team-mate. A good sign for Maranello, whereas the C34 uses engine of the Prancing Horse. The Brazilian also scores the third fastest time ever in the session.

Third placement for Toro Rosso, Renault-powered, with the younger pair of Circus formed by the rookies Carlos Sainz Jr and Max Verstappen. The team based in Faenza reached 1558 km, thanks to the 182 rounds of the Spanish and the 170 laps of Dutchman.

Fourth placement for Ferrari SF15-T of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, who closes the first session of collective test with a total reward of 1536 km (748 km less than Mercedes). Kimi Raikkonen ends his work with 198 rounds and the fastest lap (1’20″841), followed by Sebastian Vettel with 149 laps and his time of 1’20″984. Ferrari drivers are the only ones who have broken down the wall of 1’21. At this stage, however, we must tread carefully and lap times should be taken with a grain of salt, as each team get on track with very specific programs.

More outdistanced all the others. Lotus (which has driven one day less) comes back home with 841 km. At the very bottom, there are Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull and Daniil Kvyat, with 730 km and McLaren-Honda, with just 350 km.

Jerez, Winter Test – THE POINT

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With four-day test sessions in Jerez Spanish circuit, the first winter collective practice session has ended and 2015 Formula 1 World Championship is now starting.

We have been able to enjoy all winter work done by teams, especially by top teams. Finally, we returned to Formula 1 “shapes”, with a philosophy that has accompanied and characterized this sport, where the aesthetic is important. We got rid of those horrible noses.

Analyzing the results, chronometric results immediately stand out, proof an important evolution of a World Championship year. In fact, after 12 months, performance is improved of 3”. Important signal. We have to take into account that not all cards have been discovered yet.

The excessive power of Mercedes World Champions is scaring; their work has focused exclusively on 2014 version engine, aiming to eliminate (and they succeeded) the problems of reliability of last season, mainly related to transmissions between the Power Unit and change. The more than 2200 km put together by Lewis Hamilton (208 laps) and Nico Rosberg (308 laps) are a good sign for reliability. For consistency with which they completed the run, without trying to score time, and for the type of compounds used, they will be again the reference point for everyone. They know well where they can get and convey also an important serenity during the interviews.

Same work at Williams. For the British team, Mercedes PU is a guarantee. They have worked to decrease 2014 criticali situations related to reliability. With an average of 70 rounds per day, Bottas and Massa have put together over 1250 km.

The surprise, however, comes from Ferrari and Sauber, for their kilometers and performances. Clearly, you have to be down to earth, whereas best times have come with soft compounds, not used by all teams. Very interesting the top speed scored by the team of Hinwil. Compered to last season, they have certainly scored the best leap. The SF15-T has proven to be the best of the F14-T, confirming reliability. Even visually, it is very pleasant. But before praising, I would go easy. Competitors are fierce and very prepared.

Let’s arrive at Red Bull. Considering the different performances between the two teams owned by Dietrich Mateschitz, it is evident that Horner’s men have used the 2015 version of the French engine, paying negatively the development in terms of reliability. At Toro Rosso, seeing many kilometers put together by the two young rookies Carlos Sainz Jr and Max Verstappen, they have been on track with 2014 version, focusing the work on the chassis and gaining interesting performances.

Obviously, disappointing McLaren-Honda pair. Few kilometers put together from neo-pair Alonso-Button and little performance. The car seems quite innovative, but suffer from the combination of mechanics-hybrid-electronic of the Japanese PU.

Below expectations Lotus. It was the first contact with the new engine (they have switched from Renault to Mercedes) and this step have to be “absorbed”. They have arrived in Spain with a day late, but we expected more.

Now we will see what will happen in fifteen days in Barcelona, a circuit included in World Championship calendar. Teams will be looking even for performance, as well as development. Meanwhile, these will also be two political weeks, linked to the economic difficulties of Force India, Marussia and Caterham.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Kart – Only a problem stops Karol Basz at La Conca

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At La Conca International Circuit the new season of WSK Championship Cup in 2015 has started and among the protagonists we were waiting for the Polish Karol Basz, brand-new recruit of Kosmic Racing Team, determined to do well with the new colours.

Rain has characterized much of working days and in karting, as in car racing, the presence of rain becomes a resource, boosting performances of the most talented drivers. Along the 1250 meters of the go-kart track in Muro Leccese, the 22-year-old driver from Krakow didn’t lived up to expectations, winning the pole position in KF Qualifying sessions, thanks to a win and two second places, after testing in Qualifying test sessions that ended with a sixth place. Started from pole position in Pre-Final, there is immediately real battle with Nielsen. At the end of the sixteen rounds, the Dane overcame the Polish, who was forced to close at the foot of the podium.

In KF Final, Karol moved immediately to third place, behind Nielsen and Verschoor, but after a few laps, a downpour forced the direction to raise red flag. All drivers came back to put on wet tires (only operation allowed by regulation). At the restart, however, it came the unexpected: the engine of #201 kart of Basz stopped working. “Until then, the weekend had gone very well. Unfortunately, during formation lap I had a problem with the spark that made me turn off the engine. Really an unlucky day, because until then I had been very fast. Anyway, I’m happy with work done with my new team of Kosmic Racing Team. In a week the speedy redemption“, Karol Basz says.

“We were sure that the change of team would bring results, given the continuity with materials. Unfortunately, in the final destiny was not friend, denying Karol a possible victory“, Alberto Tonti analyzes.

Therefore, the first date of WSK Championship Cup KF is ended with a reward of fourteen points. In a week (from 5th to 8th February) the Polish driver will again be in action at “La Conca”, for the second round.

Let the show begin

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After Force India, Williams, McLaren-Honda and Sauber, Ferrari-Day has finally come. “Digital spotlights” are now turned on, focused on the new SF15-T, the first Ferrari branded Marchionne, entrusted to Vettel-Raikkonen pair that together represents a good five World Titles.

Now we are very nearly to switch on the engines. Although there are still cars to be revealed – those in late with the overcoming of crash-tests, like Red Bull, those struggling with budget problems, like Force India and others with problems of continuity, like Marussia and Caterham – today, February 1st, starts officially the new season, with the first day of winter test sessions in Jerez Spanish track. Among cars yet to be revealed (whose veils will fall down in Jerez, although their first images have been unveiled), there are World Champions in office, that is to say Mercedes that has dominated the scene with Hamilton and Rosberg. Thanks to the incredible power proved in 2014, are certainly the favourites thanks to the continuity of the project. Behind them, there is Williams FW37 of Bottas and Massa, which showed a precise development of the 2024 car with so much satisfaction to the English team. Then there is the McLaren-Honda MP4-30. Engineers have done a great job. Very impressive the sidepods, tapered in the back part and lower than competitors. Also nose is to note, in addition to being pleasing to the eye, should work well for the aerodynamic flow under the bottom. Certainly, the attention will be on Honda, to evaluate the job of Japanese. At Ferrari, the new car has an attractive nose, but so large sidepods may be questionable and create some problems for flows passage.

Lotus, after a very disappointing 2014, is debuting with Mercedes E23 Hybrid motorization. Great effort has been made in Enstone, to bring the car in Spain. There is clean break with past season. Same situation at Sauber. The Swiss team is looking for redemption after closing the year with zero points. A lot of work has been done to place Ferrari’s engine as best as possible. They have high and long sidepods too. New car, but also new livery. New colours captured my attention; those blue (although much lighter) and yellow that bring me back to a past Minardi.

Finally we have Toro Rosso. Aesthetically and technically it looks more and more like Red Bull RB11. They moved into sidepods the ERS unit, moving forward about 100 mm the Turbo V6 engine Energy F1 Hybrid. So, they have been able to achieve a very rear, facilitating flows passage towards the rear.

Unfortunately, Force India will not be in Jerez, whose assembly is slowed by financial problems. In Mexico they have launched the new livery, but soon debut will come also for them. The two Cinderellas (Marussia and Caterham), assuming that they will play the game, will have to deal with a significant difference in performance with the rest of the lot.

At this point, we just have to switch on the engines and go on track. Let the show begin!

Gian Carlo Minardi

Team Italia Velocità is born: Marciello and Ghiotto team leaders

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The latest project of ACI Sport is ready to take off: Nazionale Azzurra Velocità has been officially presented in Verona, at the annual party for the “Italian Car Racing Champions” Awards.

Raffaele Marciello, brand-new test and reserve driver for Sauber team and Trident leader in GP2, and Luca Ghiotto, bearer of Maurizio Salvadori’s team in GP3 Series, are the team leaders of ACI Team Italia, the program that joins the Rally section. Together with Angelo Sticchi Damiani, who is ACI president and FIA vice-president, in the meeting room there was also Gian Carlo Minardi that commented this way the new program on www.minardi.it: “With Trident, Marciello and Ghiotto, Italia team is become reality. Waiting to turn on the spotlight on 2015, we are still in a transitional phase that celebrates the year just ended. Therefore, in Verona took place the traditional awards ceremony for those who have been able to hold high the name of Italy, awarding our champions”, the manager from Faenza says. “It has been a very interesting weekend, started with the wonderful celebration of Italian ACI 110 years in Palazzo Madama, in Turin, then in Verona”.

“Trident Team has an important card to play and I am sure it will play at its 101%. Mr. Salvadori himself said to have two excellent drivers, Marciello and Ghiotto”. Surprises, however, could not be finished. “We would expand the project to a third driver. We’ll see”.

The Adwards has been also the occasion to unveil the new logo of Automobile Club Italia, Sport section. “Extremely important point for the image strongly supported by President Angelo Sticchi Damiani”.

Karol Basz signs with Kosmic

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These are days full of news for Karol Basz. After signing with Minardi Management, the 22-year-old Polish driver from Krakow has changed team, but not kart’s components, saying good-bye to Tony Kart and preparing to embrace Kosmic Kart Racing.

Ending 2014 by winning the title in Coppa Campioni and in WSK Final Cup, with podium in Super Master Series, Karol will tread again the most prestigious stages of karting with the aim to enrich his palmares, taking advantage of the experience gained until today. New challenges will be named CIK FIA European and CIK FIA World Karting Championships, with rounds on the most prestigious circuits in Italy, Spain, England, Portugal, France, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Macau and Japan.

“I am really happy to have ended negotiations, signing with Kosmic. It will be a year where we will have the chance to fight in all championships, but, above all, we will try to focus on the two championships for excellence: CIK FIA European and CIK FIA World. In these years, Karol has showed to have the right stuff to aim for victory“, the manager Giovanni Minardi says.

“The ultimate objective is certainly winning, trying to gain good pace since the first races. It will be a season full of commitments“, Karol comments.

Gian Carlo Minardi: "We expect a futuristic and amazing McLaren"

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All the eyes now are focused on teams’ headquarters, waiting for the launches that will reveal the new open-wheels, ready to liven up 2015 Formula 1 World Championship. Then, count-down is started. Immediately after launches (on January 21st, Force India; on January 29th, McLaren, on January 30th, Ferrari (online); on February 1st, Mercedes), cars will be awaited on track, for the first 4-days test session on the Spanish circuit of Jerez.

Rumours talk about McLaren ready for redemption, after 2014 closed on the fifth position, behind Ferrari, as Gian Carlo Minardi says to us. “There is a lot of excitement at McLaren and rumours talk about not only amazing but also futuristic car, with Honda engine, which is in great recovery on electrical side, weakest link of the Japanese Power Unit“, the manager from Faenza comments on www.minardi.it. Just in recent days, FIA accorded to the Japanese constructor the possibility of developing its unit with 32 evolution tokens, after certification on February 28th. “This news, that was in the air, has revived the atmosphere, giving a great impulse of confidence. It is talked about a McLaren with completely new chassis and a lot of innovation in many sectors“, Minardi analyses. Prodromou therapy seems to give wished fruits, and this just can please Fernando Also and Jenson Button. “Everything will certainly have been possible thanks also to a valid engine mechanical design“.

If also this year prospects will be respected, as per last season Mercedes will be the car to fight. However, we have to wait for an amazing championship. “In office World Champions start with Power Unit of last year, with the only change of injection (it is said that it is revolutionary) and they rely on using the 32 tokens at disposal during the season, if necessary. This prove that they are aware of their technical superiority“.

Cisitalia Group meets Gian Carlo Minardi

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Alberto Diaz Lima (President & Owner of Cisitalia Global Group, together with the engineer  Mr. Enrique Scalabroni, were guests of Gian Carlo Minardi in Faenza. Mr. Diaz Lima is the unique depository of the glorious brand Cisitalia that in the 50s realized futuristic cars and wrote the history for its innovations. Cisitalia Group’s symbol par excellence is without any doubt the 202, driven by Tazio Nuvolari, who took the car to gain many successes, and exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in New York for 40 years.

“It was a courtesy meeting and, personally, I was very pleased to share my own opinions both with President Diaz Lima and Eng. Scalabroni. In recent years, the Group has undertaken to design a modern version of the historic brand Cisitalia, as well as create a new edition of cars with construction systems of that era“, Gian Carlo Minardi says. “The 202 was a futuristic car for those years and the most famous model, becoming an icon of Made in Italy Design“.

In 2012, the new challenge was called 202 E: redesigning the sport coupé car that became a milestone in automotive history. A proof of concept, based on the study of Cisitalia 202.

Just an illusory silence

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The countdown has begun. There are less than twenty days before the official event of 2015 Formula 1 World Championship with the four days of Jerez. Everything seems apparently calm and silent, but within the various Racing Departments a real race against time is taking place, to assemble all the components and pass the crash tests. The last team, in chronological order, that has announced the overcoming of the dreaded exam, has been Toro Rosso, which posted on his Twitter profile a small detail.

We heard Gian Carlo Minardi, who has experienced this wait with his Minardi Team for 21 years: “We are in a time of the season where everything seems still and calm, but actually teams are doing their best on all fronts. The part of design and construction is involved in testing and passing crash tests, that are needed to get on track, according to new regulations“, said the manager from Faenza on www.minardi.it. “In a little less than twenty days, the war will start. Days are really hectic. The “carrier pigeons” – or pickup trucks – are constantly on the road, to bring all new components into the department. All team departments work 24H and there is the feeling of not succeeding until the day before launch. Then, in the last hour, like a puzzle, the car takes shape. I experienced this feeling for 21 years, but when you see it complete and all coloured, satisfaction is great. It is something incredible. For me, it is like the birth of a child. Every year, it is your creature, the result of a job that starts in April / May and ends the next January. Everything starts from notes on sheets of paper, passing to the hectic work on computers, tests in the wind tunnel, simulator…. and, day after day, you see the car growing. You work in view of Melbourne and plan the job for the first evolutionary step in Europe and all subsequent ones“. Action is also taken on the entire organization, to refine production processes, in order to improve performance without incurring unexpected.

“Logistical outsourcing” is crucial. Arranging material’s transfer, assembling the hospitality, managing hundreds of guests and the overnight from 80 to 150 people per team are very complex things. “Organizing all transfers and overnight stays is up to logistical department“. The way to move materials has changed in recent years. “With the rise of air transport’s prices per kg, teams opted to ship containers by ship. Nowadays, every team has about five / six containers to move during the season and where the heavier materials are loaded, such as lifters, jacks, spanners trolleys and box“. Teams in first 10 positions are awarded a bonus for two cars and 10,000 kg of material. “All the extra is charged to the teams, which ship on average from 25,000 to 40,000 kg of material“.

For all fans, the first appointment is the launch. “With the arrival of Internet and social networks, we have passed from shows to virtual launches. It is definitely the best way to involve all fans, all over the world and real-time, while in the past it was almost an exclusive event for press and insiders“.

Gian Carlo Minardi: "What a surprise!"

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We have just welcomed the New Year, but the eyes of International Federation have already pointed to 2016. Among the most important news, new rules have been issued for Super license attribution, which is required to race in Formula 1.

It becomes mandatory coming of age and a driving license, together with having driven at least 300 km in a Grand Prix car and an award of at least 40 points in the last three seasons in preparation series. Laugh it off, drivers will be called to collect points in “Supermarket-style”. For each championship, Federation (which group has made these choices?) provided for a system of points. Plus the championship is considered prestigious and greater are the points to be won. So, it’s obvious that Formula 2 – that one which will have to be born? – (with its 60 points for winner) is considered better than GP2 (50 points) or Formula 3 European (40 points). We can notice there’s a desire to try to revive the championship, which over the historic years represented the only true prelude to the top series. “What a surprise“, Gian Carlo Minardi says speaking on www.minardi.it. “In the past, to get the Super license you had to gained some positive results, finishing among the top-five in the championships that formed the pyramid towards F.1, that’s to say F.2 and F.3, in addition to drive more than 300 km at the wheel of a Formula 1 “, the manager from Faenza continues. “It’s a return to the past with corrective actions, as the coming of age. Therefore we will not have a Verstappen-2 anymore. I agree on the fact that Super license has to be gained on track, thanks to positive results. With these scores, FIA wanted to give a guideline to drivers, mainly supporting Formulae under its control “.

Stefano Domenicali, who replaced Gerard Berger inside the International Automobile Federation, will then have the commitment to improve and grow the categories. “Over the coming weeks, as ACI, we will meet with Stefano Domenicali“, the former manufacturer from Faenza concludes, “to confront with him and draw up an agenda of work, to support existing championships, F.3 and F.4, and possibly start a study on the future F.2 that FIA would soon launch“.