F1, Jost Capito and David Redding leave Woking. Minardi “F1 cannot afford to lose McLaren as well”

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McLaren continues to lose important piece the day of the presentation relentlessly approaches as well as the first official tests on the track at Barcelona. After Ron Dennis’ estrangement at the end of last year C.E.O. Jost Capito and team manager David Redding also left the Woking factory.

These signals are synonymous with the internal collapse of a glorious team, a symbol of Formula 1, which is passing through an important phase of changes of management and ownership. Considering his past Jost Capito could have been an important figure. His departure, together with that of the team manager tells us of moments of tension within the team. Over the last few days we had hinted at the possibility of an agreement between McLaren and BMW on the Circus front as well, but it was denied by the team from Bavaria. A hint of hope had appeared which disappeared just when chaos ruled within the team.

At this moment Formula 1 cannot allow itself to lose a team such as McLaren. It was once an expert puppet master that controlled the strings very well. Now Liberty Media is called to undertake a sensitive task.

2017 is a delicate year for McLaren, but above all for Honda. The winter tests will give us the first answers, even though I do not have much faith in the Japanese constructor.

McLaren and BWM together again, waiting for Apple

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It is back in vogue the marriage that made millions of fans dream in the 90s. McLaren and the BMW group will be again together, even if not in the world motorsport for the moment.

The goal of the new partnership between McLaren Automotive and the Bavarian group, whose cooperation also comprises a number of other partners, is linked to the development of new technologies for the inner combustion that will make us reach new power levels and reduce CO2 emissions.

Contextually, Zak Brown is working to bring new sponsors to Woking to give some oxygen to the stable. The wind would carry to Cupertino, Apple destination. Last year, the name of the company created by Steve Jobs had already been associated with McLaren, but then denied. According to rumors, any Apple landing in F1 would open the doors for the return of BMW in the world championship as a propellers supplier.

As in many other operations, and despite the estrangement from Liberty Media, I am sure that behind this there is, once again, Bernie Ecclestone’s hand. No one else knows this environment as him, and he is still the reference point for companies.

F1 | Minardi "Studying the past to plan the future"

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Day after day, Liberty Media, the new owner of Formula 1, discloses its cards aimed at improving the show. Chase Carey confirms he wants to bring the Circus towards the US with events in Miami and New York, without forgetting the traditional destinations that have made this sport great.

The managing director Ross Brawn points the finger at the power-units and at the too high costs, especially for the little teams called to a basically unsustainable effort. The former engineer at Benetton, Ferrari, and Mercedes as well as founder of the 2009 world champion stable named after his name, would like to see a Leicester-style fairy tale. A small stable able to fight with the major teams. With regret I learn that the courtain will fall definitively on the Manor, defeated by debts. Unfortunately, no buyer has been found.

Surely, the discussion it will focus on the new Concord Agreement, which expires in 2020.

My advice, is to study the past, before releasing any statements. At this time, words are carried away by the wind and create just nervousness. It is sure that F1 will have to undergo a relevant transformation both on the sporting and technical front. The current Concord Agreement is the result of laborious negotiations. Liberty Media should study the previous agreements in order to understand the evolution of the faced difficulties.

As I have already said in my blog, I find it crazy the idea of having 4-5” faster cars than last year with the consequent increase in research and development costs. All this will not lead to a better show because the audience at the circuit or in front of the TV will not perceive all this. The introduction of the Power-Units was a risky step, the development of which was to be directed towards endurance races.

Surely, Formula 1 has to work on marketing to attract new companies, but has also to find technical solutions able to ensure the survival and the continuity to all its teams. Last years have been detrimental for small entities forced to raise the white flag.

In US, the Federations are investing $ 50 million dollar in studies to make the sport more competitive in the future. A signal that shows how much this area and the needs of enthusiasts and spectators are changing quickly. We are going towards shorter and faster events.

F1 | The curtain falls on the Manor. Minardi "It's a defeat for the whole system"

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The starting grid of 2017 Formula 1 will be constituted by only 10 teams. The curtain falls on the Manor. When you loose a team it is a defeat for the whole system. Perhaps it is the first real signal of the exit of the orchestra leader Mr. Ecclestone. It seems almost impossible that they didn’t find a new investor.

The engineers and the technicians of Manor have wanted to make a last step ahead with the 1/50 scale model that will never see the track. This image brings me back quickly to November 2005 when the Minardi PS06 (in the picture) had been created under the skillful design of the engineer Gabriele Tredozi and his working group. A car that had produced excellent results on paper but that unfortunately has never see the light because the new ownership had decided to line up the RB1 clone.

The regret for the abortion of that project was cancelled by the confirmation of the whole Minardi staff by the new Toro Rosso ownership. Today, after eleven years, they still have an important role within the structure.

My best “good luck” goes to the more than 200 employees of the Manor, can they find peace soon.

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.