F1 | Minardi “Clear victory for Ferrari. Mercedes beaten on the track”

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In his interview by the Minardi.it editorial staff and webTV Gian Carlo Minardi once more underscored the victory by Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari on the Melbourne track in the first race of the 2017 World Championship. He was not sparing in his praise. “It was a clear win for Ferrari. For the first time Mercedes was beaten on the track by another team. Ferrari did everything very well putting under pressure both Lewis Hamilton who constantly asked to change tyres and Mercedes who brought forward the changes by a few laps.”

While one swallow does not a summer make,” continued the manager from Faenza, “And Mercedes remains the car to beat as it showed in the pole position, the gap from last season has narrowed. I see Ferrari favoured by the potential of its drivers. If Kimi Raikonnen becomes once more the driver of the last part of last season then it will have an advantage over the pair of Hamilton-Bottas.”

Words of praise for the debutant Antonio Giovinazzi at the wheel of the Sauber, “You could not ask more of the young man. On the first occasion of a grand prix he was ready to show his true worth. He demonstrated that he has his papers in order to become a great driver. Last week in Melbourne was an excellent calling card, “continued Gian Carlo Minardi, “Now he also need a bit of luck.”

If Ferrari and Mercedes showed vital reliability and that they are the top of the class the situation is exactly the opposite for McLaren-Honda “Alonso’s facial expressions and his choice of words say a lot more than his mere words. He is going through the most difficult phase of his career and there are implications we cannot decipher. The Japanese giant cannot continue on this road. There is no two without the third and in the past it has already retired twice from F1. On the other hand, McLaren cannot do without Honda, its technical and financial sponsor. Without Honda it would have great difficulty surviving.”

Test, Karol Basz at Imola with Lamborghini

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Marco Antonelli called Karol Basz for two days of tests on the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit at the wheel of the Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo.

The Polish driver, who is involved in the top category of karting with the Kosmic Racing team, took turns driving the car from the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory with Japanese driver Tadashi Kasai. He showed constant improvement and already has an excellent feeling for the car and the track, thus confirming his place in the top places of the ladder.

“The Lamborghini is a surprising car and I must thank Marco Antonelli and all the members of his team. I managed to run many kilometres constantly lowering my times, especially on the final day,” commented an enthusiastic Karol Basz.

“In the two days of testing at Imola he showed his talent but above all his versatility. He only needed a few kilometres to adapt to the type of driving necessary with the Lamborghini, obtaining excellent results in his times. Karol also showed exemplary professionalism in the box. He spent long periods talking with the engineers and studying the telemetry, just as he does during the weekends with the kart. We now await future developments,” was the analysis of managers Alberto Tonti and Giovanni Minardi

 

F1 | Gp Melbourne: THE POINT by Gian Carlo Minardi

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It was an emotional end of the week for Italian colours on the Melbourne track. After Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari having won a place on the front row and Antonio Giovinazzi’s debut at the wheel of the Sauber (in place of the injured Pascal Weherlein) the German driver won the season’s first grand prix putting the SF70H on the highest step of the podium.

We must not fall into the trap of easy triumphalism but on this part time track the car and driver gave their all. Kimi Raikonnen’s fourth place and fastest lap helped to put Ferrari at top place on the championship ladder. I think that this objective is within the reach of the team from Maranello but it is vital that the Finn finishes in front of his fellow Finn Bottas. He did not look to me like the Raikonnen of the end of last season.

It was an important success for Maranello that will give the right charge to continue working, even though Hamilton showed he still had an advantage in qualifying. The Mercedes suffered particularly the deterioration of the tyres. One could start looking for the reason at the long reach of the car.

It was definitively a positive debut for Giovinazzi. In qualifying he just missed out on the coup of reaching Q2 despite the last minute call and in the race he made himself a protagonist with a solid performance without taking any risks that ended with twelfth place. We must not forget that Sauber also paid a big price from the point of view of the engine as it was powered by last year’s power-unit

In the Red Bull pit, considering Ricciardo’s problems from the first lap only Max Verstappen was in the race bringing in the maximum result. At the present time we cannot express a full judgment on their potential but we are only at the first race after important changes in the regulations.

In two weeks the Circus will be in China and it will be interesting to see if the gap between the first three of the class Ferrari-Mercedes-Red Bull and the rest of the group will be maintained. Both Williams and Force India finished well behind.

 Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | Gp Australia. It begins, but without Nico Rosberg and Mr. Ecclestone

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After a very long winter for all the enthusiasts we are at the start of a new Formula One world championship. For the first time in years and due to Nico Rosberg’s sudden retirement  Formula 1 will be without its reigning world champion. Also missing will also be Bernie Ecclestone after forty straight years at the helm of the Circus (as a master puppeteer). The stake at play will be in the hands of its new promoter, Liberty Media. It will be interesting seeing what will be the new guidelines.

We are about to reach Australia for the first grand prix after only eight days of testing on the Barcelona track which certainly rewarded Mercedes and Ferrari in regards to reliability and failed some others (see Honda). Beyond the times registered up till now we will only know after qualifying what the gauge of this season will be as in Spain many played with their cards hidden.

Amongst many uncertainties one thing is certain; the 2017 power-unit consumes much more and this will have the engineers scratching their heads. The 105kg fuel limit imposed by FIA would not be enough to finish the race. This increased fuel consumption also comes from the new Pirelli tyres (much wider than those of 2016) which allow for greater grip and faster speed on the bends. From what we have understood the tyres wear out very slowly. Thus we will see only one pit stop. For this first race the teams will have at their disposition the soft, SuperSoft and Ultrasoft mixes.

There is much curiosity about the season. As a fan I would like to see Ferrari very close to the Mercedes (which for me remains the car to beat) with a good contest between the two. Neither would I underestimate Red Bull.

Let us hope we will see a good grand prix and we will be in touch on Sunday after the race.

 
 

F1 | Fuel consumption alert?

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The eight days of tests on the Barcelona track are giving their first results. If on the one side Ferrari and Mercedes saw their efforts rewarded from the point of view of reliability – unlike Renault and especially Honda – an important problem is rising and it must not be underestimated.

Precisely, the data came out of the simulation of the grands prix. From what we have heard from various sources overseas, due to the new performances of the vehicles the 5kg more of fuel (last season’s 100kg of fuel has gone to105kg in 2017) foreseen by FIA’s regulations are not enough to complete a grand prix.

The new regulations have given us decidedly better performing vehicles in both speed and performance in the bends with lap times up to 4” faster. In addition to the increase in fuel the width of the tyres increased as well. This combination makes the power-units even thirstier for fuel.

This information would explain in part why the drivers lifted their feet from the accelerator pedal during their lap sessions. The teams must put the fuel consumption under the magnifying glass.

Melbourne is getting ever closer.

Historic Minardi Day 2017 | Many additions in the second edition of the Historic Minardi Day which will double the attraction at the Imola Circuit

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On Saturday May 6th and Sunday May 7th Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit will host the second edition of the Historic Minardi Day. The event is dedicated to drivers, fans, collectors and enthusiasts who want to relive the emotions tied to the history of Formula 1 and the Team from Faenza founded by Gian Carlo Minardi.

Eleven years after Michael Schumacher’s last Grand Prix win with Ferrari, the 4,909m of the track beside the Santerno River will host the powerful racing cars of the team from Faenza that from 1985 to 2005 rode the scene of Formula 1, together with other historic vehicles of the World Championship as well as F2, F3 and GT racing. The enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet in the boxes and the paddock (with free entry) the engineers and drivers that lived Formula 1 history (last year 27 drivers were present). There will also be other guests such as Italian rock/pop star, Max Gazzè, an enthusiast and himself a driver who in 2004 drove a Minardi F1 car.

The gates of the Imola Circuit will open at 9.00am and the motors of the historic F1, F2, F3 and GT cars will go on track on Saturday May 6th and will only stop on 6.30pm on Sunday May 7th. After last year’s success the Historic Minardi Day will repeat its formula of opening the boxes and paddock to all the enthusiasts who will be able to touch the cars that made motor sport history, but the weekend will not lack other activities.

Historic Minardi Day – New events for 2017

The Golf Game – On Friday May 5th beginning at 2.00pm at Faenza’s “Le Cicogne” Golf Course drivers that wrote some of the most important pages of Formula 1 History, great sportsmen and VIPs will challenge each other in front of enthusiasts who will have free access into the club to meet their favourites.

Minardi Classic – In collaboration with the Club Romagnolo Auto e Moto d’Epoca (the regional Historic Car Club) – C.R.A.M.E. whose president Bruno Brusa owns a GM75 Minardi, historic road sports cars of the 1950s – 1970s will make a tour that will wind around more than 70 kilometres of the local hills with stops in magnificent medieval towns and cities of Art. The vehicles will then be on display within the circuit paddock area during the rest of the weekend.

Live Music Show – On the evening of May 6th in the Paddock after the motor are turned off for the day the spotlights will come on the Live Music Show which will see on the Minardi Live Stage Dedo & The Megaphones and an exceptional Guest Star, Max Gazzè a friend who is not only a great artist, but also an excellent driver.

A Photographic “competition” will be open to all enthusiasts who take part in the Historic Minardi Day beginning at 9.00am Saturday 6th until noon Sunday 7th.

Any type of photographic device can be used and it will be the task of each fan to post it in the format to be announced. The photos will be judged by a committee headed by famous Formula 1 sport photographer Andrea Orsi. The committee’s decision will be final.

Simulator zone – This year will again see enthusiasts challenge each other at the wheel of simulators located in the Paddock area and so become a driver for a day.

IMOLA FORMULA 1 1963-2006: LA STORIA CONTINUA HISTORY CONTINUES
The “Checco Costa” Museum within the Imola Circuit will host a magnificent display of the history of Formula 1 at Imola. Within its confines will be some of the most beautiful and important racing cars of the Formula 1 World Championship that raced around the circuit which will take fans on a trip through history.

Scuderia Ferrari Clubs – worldwide Ferrari passion will not be lacking within the paddock area of Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit thanks to the participation of the Scuderia Ferrari Clubs.

Street Food – There will be no lack of food trucks offering the flavours of the famous cuisine of the Romagna.

Tickets  – Tickets are available directly at the circuit or can be bought online on TicketOne.it. To live the whole weekend of  Saturday May 6th and Sunday May 7th  as a protagonist of the Historic Minardi Day and also to attend the Saturday evening concert, two day tickets are also available. Access is free on Friday May 5th from 2.00pm until 7.00pm at Faenza’s “Le Cicogne” Golf Club.

Entries are open for laps of the circuit
Registration is now open for laps of the circuit by owners of historic F1, F2 e F3 and GT cars and entry to the Minardi Classic Tour is reserved for classic and vintage road cars. All the information is available on the web site www.minardiday.it

Gian Carlo Minardi “The Historic Minardi Day is ready to grow while keeping its roots firmly planted in the ground. As we saw last year cars, motorsport and enthusiasts will be the heart and soul of the two days at Imola’s Circuit. I am happy to have with us the cars and such prestigious clubs as C.R.A.M.E. which will give further vitality to the Minardi Classic. Last year I had great pleasure seeing the paddock and boxes invaded by young people and families. In addition to doubling the number of days we have enriched the programmes with a number of initiatives amongst which is the Live Music Show, as well as the return of the driving simulators.”

Kart, WSK Super Master Series | Karl Basz just missed the podium at Castelletto di Branduzzo after an amazing weekend

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The second race of the WSK Super Masters Series took place at the 7 Laghi International Circuit at Castelletto di Branduzzo. Karol Basz was the protagonist with placings and impressive come backs which showed solid nerves, concentration and coolness even in the most delicate of situations.

In the three qualifying heats Kosmic Racing’s Polish driver won in order a victory, third place and second place thus placing himself well for the final phase. The cold shower came at the end of the third heat when the marshals disqualified the 202 kart because it was underweight, plunging him down to 17th place overall. Placed within Group A of the pre-final the Minardi Management flag bearer recovered four positions to fifth place and completed the job with a fourth place in the Final, the result of another five positions recovered.

In two weeks Karol Basz will be back on track at Muro Leccese for the third round of the WSK Super Masters Series.

“The weekend began really well with a win, third place and second place in qualifying. Sadly the disqualification cancelled the results. In the Final I lost time behind some drivers, but the championship is still long and our material is ok,” commented Karol Basz.

 “Even if he missed out on the podium, we must absolutely compliment Karol. On a very technical and tight circuit like Castelletto he kept his nerves without making the slightest error and made himself the protagonist with important come backs in both the pre-final and the Final. We still have things we must get right in performance, but we are on the right road to get back on the podium beginning at Muro Leccese,” said manager Alberto Tonti.

Photos by Alex Vernardis & Loredana LRN / The RaceBox

 

The curtain falls on the Barcelona tests. Minardi “Too early to judge. We don’t know how much fuel”

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The sun has set on the last day of tests at Barcelona. The first session ended with the best time by Kimi Raikonnen in his Ferrari SF70H. The day was marked with a deliberately wet track to evaluate the behaviour of Pirelli’s wet and intermediate tyres. The slicks were then tested in the afternoon

It was a difficult day to judge as the track dried quickly, effectively thwarting the development and grip of the track, as well as having lowered the temperature of the asphalt and affecting that results of the rivers who took to the track on ultra soft, super soft and soft mixes.

Too early to judge the forces at play

At the present time it is too early to judge the forces at play even though there are only four days available before the departure for Melbourne. The cars will be back on track beginning Tuesday. Thanks to Pirelli’s colours we know the types of mixes, but we are missing one vital detail; the amount of fuel aboard each car.

Reliability

For now the only detail we can use is reliability. The numerous laps run by Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikonnen as a good calling card for the SF70H and also for Hamilton and Bottas’ W080. In the final minutes of yesterday’s session Seb had a problem with his Ferrari, whereas in the morning it was Hamilton’s turn to remain the in the box for an electrical problem for his Mercedes. Renault and particularly Honda fought with a few too many problems. The French, according to the Red Bull drivers, have yet to push their power-units to their limits.

Pirelli ready to change the mixes

Despite the thumbs up from the drivers Paul Hembery, Pirelli Motorsport’s Director, announced that the mixes of the wets will be changed, especially the intermediates, as they had suffered significant deterioration. The decision came at the end of the final session on the artificially wet track at Barcelona. It is thought that two types of wets will be available according to the situation: one for the warmer tracks and one for those such as Silverstone and Spa which are always colder.

 

F1 | An important step for the fans by Liberty Media

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A change of direction by Liberty Media, the new owner of Formula 1, that during the first four days of testing underway at Barcelona allowed the teams and drivers to publish brief videos in their respective social media pages. An operation that was totally banned by the previous FOM.

A small but very important step in opening not only to new communications technologies, but also towards the fans that can live up close the brief moments of action in the boxes and pit-lane.

The teams were not caught unprepared…