F1 | Gp Italy, The heart is ready to beat once more

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Ferrari’s test of strength at Spa-Francorchamps can be a good omen on a fast track such as that at Monza that this weekend will host the 89th edition of the Italian Grand Prix. We predict another exciting duel between the two pretenders to the throne, Ferrari and Mercedes but especially between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.

As we already saw last weekend in Belgium the weather will play an important role and probably shuffle the cards: with a dry track the Ferrari-Vettel duo has shown it is more competitive than its direct rivals, while under the rain Hamilton and Mercedes have shown they are superior. Storms are forecast for Friday as they are for Saturday as well, even if qualifying should be dry. On the other hand the race should be overcast.

We come to a track characterized by very long straights with only eleven bends where the engines run at full speed for 75% of the lap. It will be a great effort for the power-unit. After what happened at the start last week (the penalty inflicted on Hulkenberg seems correct even if the marshals continue not to use the same yardstick with all the drivers) care must be taken at the first chicane at about 700m from the starting line. They will come to it at speeds much higher than those at Spa.

Ferrari will start the real post Marchionne era and behind the curtains there will be many meetings that could open up a number of moves. Kimi Raikonnen’s future is still to be decided after an unlucky weekend at Spa that was conditioned by the contact at the start of the race that forced his retirement.

We predict that the weekend will not be easy for Red Bull due to the handicap of the Renault engine (Ricciardo will start in last place but will be equipped with the latest version of the PU). The duel between Renault and Haas for fourth place in the constructor’s ladder is to be followed, as well as the chase by Racing Point Force India that in Belgium was the team that achieved the third highest number of points (18) after Ferrari and Mercedes. The entry of the new consortium led by Lawrence Stroll will have given confidence back to the team (as well as new life).

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | Spa-Francorchamps, Ferrari wins with Vettel. THE POINT by Gian Carlo Minardi “Now everybody at Monza”

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A perfect Ferrari won at Spa-Francorchamps. At this time the car is achieving positive results and has shown that in dry conditions it is superior compared to Mercedes as we saw right from the start when Vettel masterfully overtook Hamilton. The situation is reversed on a wet track when car and driver are inferior to pairing of Hamilton-Mercedes.

It was without a shadow of doubt a great, very tight grand prix run at heart pounding pace on the edge of tenths of seconds, as we saw above all between the 15th and 20th laps between the two pretenders to the throne.

It was a pity about Kimi Raikonnen who was cut off by a contact at the first curve. He too would probably have fought for a place on the podium. The result was a morale boost for all the team and brings a breath of fresh air in view of the last part of the season and the arrival of the Circus at Monza. Vettel nibbled away seven precious points from Hamilton. After the gifts in the previous grands prix (see Germany) he must continuously finish in front of his British rival.

It was an excellent race by Max Verstappen which excited the public and many of his fans came to support him. I would like to see this scenario at Monza as well. All the fans are needed to help Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel in this pursuit. Sadly the lack of an Italian driver on the starting grid is felt but at this time the market has been unleashed and the next few days will be crucial. There are still many unknown factors, above all in the second division teams, where I hope Mercedes will find a place for Ocon after the arrival of the new owner who gave life back to Racing Point Force India. We still need to understand what will happen in Williams to Stroll and McLaren (Vandoorne) and Sauber. In short there are still many pieces to be placed, as well as deciding Raikonnen’s future. Sincerely in Ferrari I would choose a younger line to place to support Vettel. We will wait and see.

Meanwhile I am very happy for Racing Point Force India that began its adventure with fifth and sixth place with Perez and Ocon behind Bottas. On the other hand there was an important mistake by Nico Hulkenberg who set off the pile-up at the start. He came decidedly long into the first chicane (he had two gears more than the other drivers who were ahead of him). Luckily the new safety systems avoided the worst but we must stop and think for a minute that at Monza the first chicane is after a kilometre from the start and they get there at very much higher speeds.

I look forward to seeing many of you at Monza.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F1 | Spa-Francorchamps, we finally start again!

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With the end of the three weeks of summer break, this weekend the Formula 1 world championship is ready to start the engines again with teams and drives committed to a double commitment on two tough tracks as Spa-Francorchamps and Monza which will lead the way to a fiery end of season.

Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel will have the toughest task since they will not be able to make the slightest mistake. They are called to make nine perfect grands prix if they want to wipe out the 24 point gap that separates the German from Lewis Hamilton. The mistake at Hockenheim weighs very heavy.

We start with the track in the Ardennes, it is a circuit that is as historic as it is difficult in which the weather and safety car will practically do the honours. After having tested it on Sauber and Hass, the Ferraris will be equipped with the latest version of the Power Unit as Mercedes should also do.

On the tyre front Pirelli will bring to both Belgium and Italy the Medium, Soft and SuperSoft mixes. We come to this round with some unknown factors on the drivers’ market in which above all Kimi Raikonnen’s future is still up in the air. We experienced a very hot August (not only due to the high temperatures) that will redraw the 2019 starting grid. Daniel Ricciardo will say goodbye to Red Bull to wear Renault’s colours together with Hulkenberg and with Sainz taking the seat left free by Fernando Alonso who announced his retirement from F1 after 17 seasons. Red Bull will promote Gasly alongside Verstappen, while the places in Toro Rosso are still vacant. Force India, which has been placed under administration, was saved by a group of entrepreneurs led by Laurence Stroll whose son will free a place in Williams.

We expect very intense weeks. This weekend we start with Spa where the weather promises rain but then I expect many of you at Monza.

Gian Carlo Minardi