F1 | 2017's grid among new-names, confirmations and changes of team

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Starting from the Grand Prix of Australia in Melbourne, but even before the official tests, we will see a grid with numerous newness at the wheel of the single-seaters.

Among the top teams, only Ferrari and Red Bull will present themselves with the usual line-up. Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will have the task to erase a disappointing 2016 that ended winless. After the second place among manufacturers, Red Bull will go on track with one of the strongest couples formed by Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen. At Toro Rosso, the Russian driver Kvyat and Spaniard Sainz jr have been confirmed as well. There is an uncertain future, instead, for Manor which is without drivers so far.

Change of team

Nico Rosberg’s retirement has created a little turmoil in the the market. Mercedes will place side by side Lewis Hamilton and the Finn Valtteri Bottas who comes from Williams, whose place was taken by the returning of Felipe Massa.

Force India, the revelation of last season with fourth place among manufacturers, has asked the French Esteban Ocon (from the Manor) to fill the departure of Nico Hulkenberg, passed under Renault colors.

In his second F1 world championship season, Haas has bet on Kevin Magnussen who comes from Renault and takes the place of Esteban Gutiérrez (moved into Formula E after he missed renewal).

The Swiss team Sauber has torpedoed Felipe Nasr even if he is author of the two only points scored last season. Points that have been worth the tenth place among manufacturers. The place of the Brazilian was assigned to Pascal Wehrlein.

New names

Williams and McLaren are the two teams bringing two new faces (or almost new) on the grid : Lance Stroll and Stoffel Vandoorne.

Lance Stroll (born in 1998) will wear the colors of the Williams alongside Felipe Massa. Despite his young age in his prize list stand out titles in the Italian Formula 4 (2014), in the Toyota Racing Series (2015), and in the European Formula 3 (2016).

Stoffel Vandoorne (born in 1992) will be alongside Fernando Alonso in McLaren, replacing the former 2009 world champion Jenson Button. It will not be a real debut in the World of Formula 1, having already replaced the Spaniard during last season at the Grand Prix of Bahrain. An important debut that gave McLaren the first seasonal point thanks to the tenth place. After the successes won in F4 Eurocup 1.6 (2010), the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2012) and the second place in Formula Renault 3.5 (2013) in 2014 he joined the team from Woking. The next year he prevailed in the GP2 Series.

2017 F1 Team/Drivers 

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton
Valtteri Bottas

Red Bull Racing

Daniel Ricciardo
Max Verstappen

Ferrari

Sebastain Vettel
Kimi Raikkonen

Force India

Sergio Perez
Esteban Ocon

Williams

Felipe Massa
Lance Stroll

McLaren

Fernando Alonso
Stoffel Vandoorne

Toro Rosso

Carlos Sainz jr
Daniil Kvyat

Haas

Romain Grosjean
Kevin Magnussen

Renault

Nico Hulkenberg
Jolyon Palmer

Haas

Romain Grosjean
Kevin Magnussen

Sauber

Pascal Wehrlein
Marcus Ericsson
 

F1 | New technical cycle. Minardi "A wrong direction has been taken"

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2017 represents a new Formula 1 era. Not just due to the arrival of the new owner Liberty Media, but also regarding the technical regulations. For the first time since 1994, the new sport season will have started with a reviewed regulation that will give us decisively more fast and performing cars compared to last year’s end.

Cyclically, the FIA used to call the rules into question to have slower cars compared to the previous technical cycle. Thanks just to the specialists’ genius, the teams managed to carry new-performing single-seater into the track.

Today, instead, we are facing simulations speaking about cars that are 4-5 seconds faster than those at the end of 2016 with a 40 km/h cornering speed.

All this for the benefit of whom? The show?

I do not think so because who sits in the stands or in front of the TV does not realize if the cars are faster. We will have cars much more difficult to drive and dangerous. I dread to think about what will happen after the development of an entire season or after some years. In contrast, with a note, FIA informed the circuits that will have to adapt themselves to new security standards, as if it were a simple and immediate thing. I find it absurd.

Formula 1 must promote the show on track, with fights and duels. I am glad that Liberty Media, the new property, feels the same way. They will be called to a difficult task whose results will only be visible in some years. The arrival of Ross Brawn will have a crucial role in the drafting of technical regulations. We need to return to have 2 or 3 teams able to contrast each other and to fight for victory. 

It will also be fundamental the commissioners’ role. The working group must be the same for all the grand prix, avoiding subjective decisions.

(Photo source McLaren.com)

 

The new F1 faces. Minardi "A historic day"

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It is a historic day for the world of Formula 1. Liberty Media has completed its acquisition, and Chase Carey is the new F1 boss. He replaces Bernie Ecclestone (Honorary President) who is forced to leave the control of his “toy” after 40 years. Unfortunately, this moments are part of life, I lived the same experience in 2005 with the arrival of the new ownership in Faenza.

If Formula 1 exists today, it is thanks to the intuition and to capacity of Mr. E. that now has the chance to see the world championship with new eyes. For this very reason, he can still be very helpful to the cause.

With pleasure I read that on the agenda there are some topics that I have faced since some time, and Ross Brawn’s arrival is a positive signal. For some while, I have stated that F1 has to be managed by specialists with some experience on te field, but not involved with the teams. I agree with Brawn when he points it finger at the current power-units because I am sure it is a technology more suitable for prototypes and for endurance. The sprint races shall be the major expression of velocity and of competition with tyre-to-tyre struggle. Regarding this issue, FIA has required commissioners to be more permissive. To do this, it is important to have the same team in each circuit. Decisions must be objective and not subjective ( as it happened too many time in the last few years).

The new management will have a not easy task, the fruits of which will be visible in some years. It will be a slow process. Marketing will have to attract new sponsors and fire up the passion in every fan.

F1 | Along with Bottas, his sponsor joins Mercedes as well

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Few days after the announcement about the entrance of Valtteri Bottas into Mercedes with a yearly agreement ( with an option for 2018), the stable from Brackley has announced the coming of Wihuri, the Finnish company linked to the ex Williams driver.

It is a shiny example of what we said some weeks ago. Behind every driver there are economic movements. In this specific case, the company has agreed upon a contract with Mercedes that lasts as the agreement reached with Bottas, closing its cooperation with Williams.

Surely, the sponsor mustn’t have been decisive to close the negotiation because we are talking about a team with a great constructor behind, but the fact that Mercedes has acquired a new logo remains. At the same time , the company will have a return in term of image being on the World Champion car.

Behind every driver who enters F1 there is always a company that backs his career. We must consider, anyway, that the drivers on the grid, in 99% of cases, have the technical and fast capacities to take part in the World Championship.

Formula 1 needs to draw new resources. It is a costly sport that lives thanks to sponsoring. Thus it has to be able again to fill the chassis with logos through new commercial strategies, changing the way it approaches its supporters. These days, FIA gave its approval for the acquisition of F1 by Liberty Media.

F1 | Ricciardo-Verstappen the strongest couple. Interview with Gian Carlo Minardi

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These have been days rich in announcements within the F1 Circus, especially at Mercedes-Williams-Sauber which have completed the puzzle. All the pieces have found their place without any twists, respecting recent previsions and rumors. The editorial staff of www.minardi.it has met Gian Carlo Minardi for an interview.

One after the other, three official press releases have arrived. Valtteri Bottas is the new Mercedes driver.

With this choice, Mercedes has got more weak because it bets on a second driver. Bottas is surely a good driver, but he didn’t cause any trouble to an “old” driver like Felipe Massa. In my opinion, we cannot compare Rosberg’s and Bottas’s career because German driver’s Williams wasn’t as today. I expect a Bottas in trouble against a cannibal like Lewis Hamilton, especially if he won’t be distracted by extra-sports events like this year. With his choice, Rosberg has caused some problems to Mercedes that had to take remedial actions when the market was already closed. The one year agreement (with the option for a second one) is the proof that it is a repair choice. The Finnish driver risks a lot. If he fails, he will become unemployed at 28 year old.

Felipe Massa at Williams beside Stroll.

I have said it since the first moment. After his good career, he risks to jeopardize his reputation in a single season. I find it difficult to have the right incentives to face a demanding season like next year’s one beside a young boy, unfairly criticized, that has been able to impose himself in every championship.

Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber in Felipe Nasr’s place.

We must recognize Toto Wolff’s managerial ability. He managed to place both his drivers. Ocon at Force India and the German at Sauber motorized by Ferrari. Before promoting them to the first team, Wolff has tested them, and Wehrlein will have more difficulties. I consider them both good drivers.

Who would you like to see in the grid?

Antonio Giovinazzi without any doubt. Leaving him on the bench is a pity because the results in the last years speak in his favor. I would like to see him in action.

After last movings, which couple do you prefer?

Ricciardo-Verstappen. I see them more close-knit and strong. Now, Vettel-Raikkonen are an mystery. In 2016, Raikkonen managed to put in trouble his team-mate, while during last years he had fought to not deface. It will depend greatly on the kind of car that Ferrari will give them, but I see them weaker, especially regarding the Red Bull couple that will do its best, struggling one another to became the best one.

Ferrari and Mercedes have put eyes on Mick Schumacher.

Mick has undoubtedly a natural talent. Competition and velocity are in the Schumacher’s DNA. Anyway, it seems premature to make auctions to grab him. In my opinion, it is about respecting Michael for the two most important teams linked to his career. I hope this “game” goes in favor of the boy’s image.

 

F1 | Minardi "I'd like to see Giovinazzi on the track already in 2017, but …"

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These are intense days for the drivers and technicians market in F1. Mercedes and Williams are the market compass needles. Nico Rosberg’s flash-retirement has triggered a true driver-wager. The most listed name is surely that of the Finnish at williams, bottas, even if so far Mercedes stays tight-lipped. In Renault, instead, as a bolt from the blue, Frederic Vasseur has left his role as a Team Principal because of some discordance in the team management.

The world Champion Team has also to face the “getaway” of Paddy Lowe whose destination, Williams, would offer him the desired role of Team Principal (an official announcement still lacks). This operation could include the exchange with Bottas that should be substituted by the returning of Felipe Massa. The Brazilian driver would have taken some time, till January 30, to give a definite response.

Meanwhile, Toto Wolff, with the Manor under receivership for economic difficulties (it ended its championship in the eleventh place), has moved Pascal Wherlein to Sauber tearing off Felipe Nasr’s seat. (Esteban Ocon will dress the Force India-Mercedes colors instead of Nico Hulkenberg who went to Renault).

With this scenario, they vanish the chances of seeing Antonio Giovinazzi (already promoted as a third Ferrari driver at the end of the year after his good GP2 season) in track with the color of the Swiss team motorized by Ferrari, for a first apprenticeship season. If so, it would be a great pity. It would be a small defeat for the Italian motor sports. Ferrari should help its compatriots to find a seat in a minor team so to make them gain a bit of experience in grand prix. It would be amazing to have again an Italian driver in F1, also protagonist during the Italian grand Prix.

Everything could be questioned if Massa gives up to the offering of Williams. At that point, Wehrlein will find a place in Grove, and Hinwil’s doors could open for Giovinazzi.

 

F1 | Felipe Massa ready to return to Williams. Minardi "Better as a FCA ambassador"

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Paddy Lowe’s arrival to Williams could intersect Bottas’ transfer from Grove to Brackley beside Lewis Hamilton, avoiding (or reducing) the gardening leave period of the technician.

The transition of the Finnish to Mercedes frees a place at Williams beside the young Lance Stroll. So, the British stable would have call back Felipe Massa, who would have broken his agreement with Formula E taking some time, till January 30, to make a decision.

Honestly, I don’t look kindly upon a potential step back, after announcing a retirement. In F1, he made an important career and gained a worldwide respect. He missed just the title, and went out with a standing ovation.2017 will be a demanding season and will require a great physical preparation, I would not risk to ruin my reputation. I find difficult to find some needed incentives to race an entire season.

This job is a “disease”. So, I would look for new incitements in other championship, like Formula E or GT.

Otherwise, I would see him well in the role of ambassador of a company like the FCA thanks to his past in Maranello.

F1 | Claire Williams defends Stroll. Minardi "Lauda, Senna, Alonso had a sponsor too"

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Williams is living an important rearrangement. As we told today, Paddy Lowe is arriving from Mercedes to fill the role of Team Principal. Sir Frank Williams and his daughter Claire are ready to abdicate and hand over to Lawrence Stroll, closing the experience of the last garage owner.

I am glad that Claire Williams has gone back on a topic I have faced in these pages, an issue linked to the so called drivers with the suitcase. The arrival of the young Lance Stroll has caused a lot of stir since he is backed by a well-to-do father. In this moment, anyway, the boy is exempt by any criticism because he has been able to impose himself in all the championships he raced, proving an excellent management.

All of the Formula 1 drivers can be considered with the suitcase because their career is backed by sponsors from their first steps in karting. History is full of such examples. Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Fernando Alonso (just to mention the World Champions). They were backed by some economic supports, private or not.

We must not hide behind a glass. Motorsport is a cost environment that founds itself on sponsoring. In my opinion it is like to look for a needle in a haystack. Before pointing an accusing finger at this boy, we must give him the time to go on track and show himself.

F1 | Minardi “Paddy Lowe towards the direction of Williams"

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With his switch from Mercedes to Williams, after three years full in success, Paddy Lowe is preparing himself not only to change his jacket, but also to assume the role as Team Principal in the stable founded by sir. Frank Williams in 1977.

An era ends. The last cornerstone of F1 (Founder, Team Principal, and Team Manager) is ready to abdicate. This could mean that the reins of the stable have passed into Lawrence Stroll’s hands, the father of Lance who is about to debut this year into the Circus at the Williams wheel, (probably) beside of the returning Felipe Massa.

With Paddy Lowe, an important technician gets to the top brass of the stable. He can create the basis to rebuilt a winning course. A scenario already seen with Ross Brawn when he launched his namesake stable, and the following year sold it it to Mercedes with the world constructors’ and drivers’ 2016 titles in the pocket.

I wish this handover is an auspice for the English team that will count on Stroll’s substantial financial and managerial capabilities.

The displacement of the ex executive technical director of Mercedes is the last example of how Formula 1 has been changing. A Formula 1 that is increasingly in the hands of managers who now lead a team and then change their jacket.

It remains to guess the gardening leave period that Lowe will have to face before entering in action at Grove. That operation will trigger a sequence of procedures linked to the drivers’ market that we will face next days.

F1 | Silverstone ready to give up. Minardi «A worrying alarm-bell»

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If a circuit like Silverstone is thinking to leave the Circus of F1, in spite of its last years’s “sold out” there is something wrong in the system. It is an alarm bell very worrisome that we should face seriously.

We are talking abour an historic circuit with a great passionate and expert audience that fills up the platforms and the fields.We saw it last year, during the British grand prix won by their home champion Lewis Hamilton.

If in a reality like Silverstone the numbers do not add up, the system created by Ecclestone creaks dangerously. The same is true for Canada that would not payed yet.

Mr. Ecclestone denys any troubles since the governments would have the commitment to intervene to heal the accounts, and since F1 can do without Europe. Unfortunately, the Malaysian state (sponsor of Sepang’s grand prix) decided to leave F1 because it wouldn’t be a good investment.

We have to review the system giving more commercial spaces to the circuits, spaces useful to preserve the balance and renew the facilities. Going on along this way, they risk the collapse. The suffering circuits are increasing and the new ones don’t seem a guaranty. We have to remember that the roots of this sport are deeply-rooted in Europe along with the passion of its fan. 

The dark side of F1. Minardi «A questionable Mercedes choice »

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Felipe Nasr knows it very well. After rescuing the Sauber from a disastrous season (at the detriment of its rival Manor motorized by Mercedes) now risks a layoff by his team in favor of Pascal Wehrlein (driver at Manor).

We must step back till Sunday 12 November, the Brazilian Gp weekend and penultimate world championship event. Esteban Ocon and Pascal Wehrlein’s Manor was in the tenth place in the constructors’ standings thanks to the point achieved in Austria by his German driver. The tail-end out of the top ten is the Sauber.

Under the deluge in Sao Paulo, a race characterized by red flags, safety-car, and by the incredible Max Verstappen’s race, Felipe Nasr drags the Swiss stable till the ninth place, digging Manor out from the top-ten and giving a precious heap of millions of dollars coming from TV revenues to Sauber. In Abu Dhabi, no one of them conquers the point zone and the standings remains unchanged. The loss of income – a life vest for the little teams – brings the Manor into receivership with the great risk of not being able to take take part to the 2017 season.

After placing Esteban Ocon in Force India (motorized by Mercedes as well) at Nico Hulkenber’s place (who has moved to Renault), Toto Wolff would be redirecting Wehrlein (an official announcement still lacks) to Sauber beside the confirmed Erikkson, replacing the Brazilian driver Nasr.

The name of the German young driver had been put near Mercedes many times to substitute Nico Rosberg beside Lewis Hamilton, where, instead, it is awaited the Finnish Bottas, who should leave his place at williams for the returning Felipe Massa beside the neo 18-year-old Lance stroll.

A Mercedes choice that makes us discuss, since it has de facto contributed to the failure of his satellite team. 

F1 | Minardi «This is my F1» Happy New Year everyone

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Few more days, and we will leave another year behind. This sports season ended with the shocking news of the retirement of Nico Rosberg few hours after winning first World title and with Giovinazzi’s promotion – neo vice-champion GP2 – as a third Ferrari driver. In 2017, an Italian driver will be back in F1 via the Maranello’s pits.

A season slipped away with another Mercedes dominion. For the third year in a row it has conquered the titles constructors and drivers, collecting the beauty of 51 victories out of 59 grand prix. A Mercedes that has to face a big headache, having to chose a driver to place side by side with Lewis Hamilton maker of some announcement against his team. The Finnish driver Bottas is repeatedly indicated along with the flash return of Felipe Massa into Williams beside the rookie Lance Stroll.

A season that has been able to give us some moments rich in adrenalin during the grand prix in Monaco, Brazil, and Yas Marina.

A not easy season for all us Ferarri fans. Ferrari hasn’t gained any wins nor starts from the first row, it has been also surpassed by Red Bull protagonist of a great recovery pushed by a baby Verstappen. Ferrari ended just in the third place of the constructors’ standings.

Waiting for the new year

We are about to enter a 2017 that will give us important newness about regulations, with the return of large tires, design freedom, engines and cars with a more engaging aerodynamics.

It will be critical creating the basis to rebuilt F1 and to attract aficionados again. It will be a decisive year to understand Liberty Media projects. For this reason, I see many aspects on which we need to intervene, and I don’t see the budget-cut (it has been proposed again) as the most effective mean.

– I’d like to see again some days devoted to collective tests to attract the fans that have run away because their lack of interest and economic issues. We should come back into the track instead to spend for simulators.

– decreasing the number of the staff within the team. We should prohibit the remote-team, engineers’ teams on work at the general-headquarter simultaneously to the action on track, beyond having a score of engineers. On the other side, I would make free the development of engines and cars, without any limits.

– Pit-stops with just 8 mechanics. They would be more spectacular for the audience, televisionally speaking. The cars would be more visible as the sponsors that today disappear in a cloud of 28-30 people. It would be exciting from the strategies point of view, in addition to touching the costs entry.

In conclusion, a season rich in unknowns is awaiting us, with the hope that it could give us a greater fight for the first position and a competitive Ferrari capable to fight for the win.

Happy new year to everybody.

F1 | Giovinazzi goes to Ferrari. Minardi «Further developments are possible»

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Antonio Giovinazzi is a driver of the Ferrari Stable. His season ends with a bang.

This is a very important step that will give the opportunity to grow further to a driver who has already proved all his value. Giovinazzi has the mental and technical traits to stand out. He is the result of a long job developed along with ACI Sport President Sticchi Damiani.

This result demonstrates that we have some talented drivers in Italy as well. We have been fought for several years in the most important championships and next year we will have Fuoco and Ghiotto in GP2, Pulcini and Iorandi in GP3, Colombo and Mosca in F4.

These boys are the fruit of a long work that the Federal School has begun several years ago, by monitoring the boys from their first steps in kart and during their formative apprenticeships.

Reaching Formula 1 is not easy because there are just 22 cars, but from now till the end of the year there could be a further evolution. Games are open, even if everything will depend on the Mercedes choice and on the driver that will be chosen to replace Nico Rosberg. Being able to race a whole season with a minor team would be an enormous opportunity for a driver who has proven his value for so many years.

Some years ago, I had already introduced Giovinazzi to Ferrari, but this meeting has become a something concrete only today. Unfortunately, since I had not a team anymore, I couldn’t prove on track what I had saw in him. Thanks to this agreement an Italian driver is back on the track as a third driver.

There are many irons on the fire. Let’s see what will happen in the upcoming weeks.