F1 – Pierluigi Martini "I am working for a Minardi day at Imola"
Pierluigi Martini is the favourite driver by fans. In a challenge on fb that has involved all the drivers who have run for the color of Minardi Team during the twenty one seasons of the stable from Faenza in the F1 world Championship, Pierluigi Martini, 54 years old, has vanquished his competitors. “It could not be otherwise. Pierluigi has ruced with us more than 100 GP contributing to write in good part Minardi Team F1 story. Today we are still united by a strong friendship. He would have deserved to win more successes in his long career” Gian Carlo Minardi comments.
He has raced for the Team founded by Gian Carlo Minardi 107 F1 GP in 119 bringing on track the first single-seater signed by Minardi Team in 1985. His path has gone on from 1988 to 1991 and from 1993 to 1995. Also the first point in a world championship has been signed by Pierluigi in 1998 in Detroit. After saying goodbye to the Circus, in 1999 he imposed himself on Le Mans 24 hours.
This year he has come back in a collectors’ Minardi cockpit. During Austria GP week-end he got behind the M185 wheel, while during the Goodwood festival of speed, Paul and Graham North’s M189 was back to rumble (see the photo gallery).
“As soon as I have got in the cockpit I felt right at home. As if time had stopped running and I had got out from the single-seater the day before. My M189 was like a custom-tailored suit. 
Those car were very smaller than today’s F1 cars, and it seemed to be in direct contact with the asphalt. Moreover, your head was completely out from the cockpit and you had a great view. I have immediately remembered the good times spent with that car, but also the hard ones. The car was very rigid and it was crazy to drive. Small wheel, three pedals and manual transmission. If you were not physically prompt it was the car which drive you and not vice versa”. An enthusiastic Pierluigi Martini remembers. He said us that he has been working also for a new proposal.“I am accomplishing the restoration of my M189. We are finishing the engine electronics and along with Gian Carlo Minardi I am planning to organize a Minardi day in Imola mobilizing all the Minardi people. A great day in a car racing circuit with all the F1 Minardi cars and more“.
F1 – US GP: SCORECARDS
Evaluating a funny GP like that in Austin is always a pleasure. I offer my congratulations to Hamilton for his third World title, but I give the highest mark to:
Sebastian Vettel – 9 maker of a perfect race along which he push his Ferrari to the limit without a sole mistake. Forced to start in 13 due to the replacement of his engine, he succeeded recovering till third place smelling the second one. Despite complicated conditions he has been impeccable in every situation fighting with any means. Like certain champions he can bring out the best in his Ferrari differently to his drive-mate.
Max Verstappen – 8+ once again he showed us what he is made of, especially with his excellent takeoffs.
Carlos Sainz Jr – 8 he went trough some mistakes which strengthened and allowed him to close a great race. Both he and his team-mate are taking STR towards an un-hoped sixth place in spite of a loss of points due to reliability.
Lewis Hamilton – 7,5 we have always to remember the car he has at his disposal. Surely, last week-end he has not been impeccable. Anyway I congratulate with him for his third title.
Sergio Perez – 7 another race where the Mexican driver proved his nature and to be good at. Along with Hulkenberg, he is taking Force India to unhoped levels: the fifth place is strengthened.
Daniel Ricciardo – 7 I liked very much the Australian driver both in qualifying and on race. As long as he could he fought like a lion proving to be at play even in difficult conditions.
Daniil Kvyat – 6 what a pity his juvenile mistake with which he canceled what he had well done till that moment.
Nico Rosberg – 5,5 the German heavily disappointed me. With such a car to drive, sometimes he makes second-.driver’s mistakes. That is not really good.
Kimi Raikkonen- 5 due to my liking for Ferrari. Anyway it is time to stop defending him or someone have to explain what kind of technical complication occurred. The comparison with his team-mate is embarrassing.
F1 – Road to…Austin
The Circus has said goodbye to Russia and flown to the Us in Austin, one of the best Tilke circuit: 5500 technical meters with twenty bends for fifty six laps. It should be more hot than Sochi even if it is going to rain on Friday and Saturday.
Pirelli will bring his Soft and Medium tyres, tyre-compunds non-optimal for teams like Ferrari. So we will have a lot of unknowns and unpredictable moments. With the challenge for the title already closed in favor of Hamilton who needs just a second place to prove himself World Champion for the third time, all the attention will be focused on Rosberg and Vettel’s challenge for the second place. For the German driver at Ferrari it would be an unexpected goal, while Rosberg has much to lose towards his team-mate and his team.
If the technical aspect of this grand prix will focus on the struggle between the two standard-bearers at Mercedes and at Ferrari, from a political point of view, the substantial changes proposed by engine suppliers will be the main topic. Having these proposals to be endorsed by the F1 Commission, all the teams will take part in several meetings trying to find the indispensable unanimity. From my personal point of view these proposals are fair because development, growth and research are all part of Constructors’ DNA. Nothing should be done, anyway, at the expense of Customer-teams which deserve equal regard. Only this way they can level performances on track. The soap opera about Red Bull engine continues. I think both RB and TR will stay with Renault because times are too tight to create two different gear-boxes.
Returning to the circuit, we will have seen Raffaello Marciello behind Sauber wheel for the fourth time. I have been stressing the importance for each team of dedicating a car to young drivers for years. “Lello” has came from a complicated GP2 season, I hope he will prove his real worth because he has all what it takes to reach F1.
F1 – Ecclestone "Red Bull and Toro Rosso won't leave F1"
Mr Bernie Ecclestone is sure: Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso won’t leave F1 World Championship even if they are now without an engine for next season after their break with Renault.
In the last two weeks, Red Bull staff, from Marko Horner to Newey, have threatened by the press to leave the Circus after the refusal of Mercedes and Ferrari who are not willing to sell their latest PU models. The soap opera seems to have come to an end. Red Bull would got back in touch with Renault which asks for a public letter of apology for the treatment they have received by “The Soft-drinkers” in the last few months. Maranello’s doors should open for Toro Rosso even if there are technical complications not easy to solve because the team from Faenza uses the same transmission of Red Bull Racing. A new development would involve a considerable amount of time and money.
“The risk of a defection was high, but in view of recent events I think it can be considered avoided” Mr. E has commented on Autosport. FIA and Mr. Ecclestone refer especially to article 23.5 of sport regulation where it is stated that from 2016 to 2020 only the power unit validate by the Federation will be usable.
At present the deadline to freeze the engines is on February 28 2016. Then it will not be possible to improve them. Gian Carlo Minardi stressed this perspective already on 30 September commenting Red Bull situation ”On February 28th 2016 engines meant to be used during the season will have to be deposited and frozen.Not being able to use tokens for developing their PU along the season, the official teams and their customers will have the same power unit and, unlike this season, diversify supplies won’t be possible.In my opinion, the use of 2015 PU is unlikely, unless some change in regulation coming from constructors’ meeting in Ginevra, that should also pass the examination of the Formula One Commission”.
According to last rumors, at yesterday’s meeting in Ginevra, Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda expressed their willing to avoid the freezing and to update their unities during 2016 (32 tokens would have been asked). Basically like this year. This way we could have official engines and customers. An evolution like this would be really favorable for Honda and Renault in a strong technical delay respect to Mercedes and Ferrari. We have to applaud the fair-play of Mercedes which probably will keep its leadership having important developments aside. But there is more. There is the willing to modify article 23.5 of sport rules so to supply 2005 power units.
We have to keep in mind that this kind of proposals should be discussed by F1 Commission, and approved jointly by all the teams.
F1 – Russian Gp: Scorecards
Let’s grade this grand prix that impressed us till the last lap with his amazing show.
Pirelli – 10 due to the renewal of its partnership with F1 for other three years. They are taking their technology and the Italian brand around the world. It is a great satisfaction for our motor sport. They have been able to satisfy all the needs, as the Gp in Sochi demonstrates. They have been working not only for a technological earning but also for the show: a very important move that stresses Italian engagement in Motor Sport. Made in Italy is strongly present in the Circus with Brembo, Sparco, and a lot of helmets suppliers. Unluckily we have not a driver yet…
Lewis Hamilton – 8,5 overpowered in qualifying and at the start by the unlucky Nico Rosberg, he has been excellent in race even if the fastest lap was signed by Vettel.
Sebastian Vettel – 8,5 fabulous in race despite Saturday’s complications. He has signed the fastest lap right at the end. I hope Ferrari has figured out its tyre warming problem because Seb has raced faster with Soft tyres.
Nico Rosberg – 8 a pole position with a perfect lap, he has been excellent at the start. Unluckliy he lost any chance to keep open the World Championship due to a clamorous problem linked to the break of the acceleration pedal. As usual, really unlucky. Surely he is not a second driver even if he has been below expectations for a year.
Sergio Perez – 7,5 he has been able to manage in an excellent way his car despite an hazardous and too early pit stop. Bottas and Raikkonen have passed him but till that moment he has been driving very well closing one of his best race.
Daniel Ricciardo – 7 as long as his car has been working, he did well despite some difficulties. Carlos Sainz – 7 after Saturday’s accident he wanted absolutely participate in the race. Unluckily, once again along with Toro Rosso, he has lost important points due to reliability. They have to work hard and I think the accident could be a possible consequence of brakes complications.
Max Verstappen – 7 his last recover demonstrates t that Toro Rosso is a remarkable car After having fallen in last positions for an early pit stop, he has recovered and reached point zone taking advantage of a fallacious Fernando Alonso.
Felipe Massa – 6,5 after a lackluster qualifying, with his “grand-pa” experience in F1 he recovered achieving final fourth place ( from the fifteenth) for Williams also thanks to the double Finnish KO.
Daniil Kvyat – 6,5 he has brought important points to Red Bull that is still waiting for an engine. The fifth place is important to him and also in view of future developments. Valtteri Bottas – 6 this grade is due to qualifying. In race he hasn’t taken advantage of Saturday’s result.
Kimi Raikkonen – 5 beyond the start he has made some mistakes, like the collision with Bottas. You can’t jeopardize your race and that of a rival f yours this way. His attempt could have been good for the show but he has committed a heavy misjudgment.
F1 – Road to…Russia
F1 has returned to Russia for the second time. Surely the first edition of this Grand Prix didn’t enter into the annals of history as the most engaging race, but this year things could change also thanks to Pirelli who has chosen to bring the Soft and Supersoft tyres. We expect to clock better times of 3 secs.
Unless cataclysms, It will be another Mercedes week-end, indeed they could already gain the Constructors’ World Championship title. Regarding drivers, for Nico is really the last chance. Hamilton has a psychological head start, five second places would be sufficient to be again the champion. Behind theirs back we should find Ferrari (at ease with these tyre compunds even if temperatures will be around 15-20°C) that will have to look over its shoulders not only because of Williams, but also because Red Bull and Lotus. I hope Enston’s team has found a final solution with Renault in order to plan their future at their best and close the season with greater confidence.
We are talking about an half-urban circuit with 18 bends (12 on the right, 6 on the left) characterized by the most long bend in the whole world championship that puts under stress the tyres. Approaching the last part of the season, the forces at play are almost outlined even if Ferrari must keep improving to get closer to Mercedes. They can’t lower their guard.
Behind the curtains, the negotiations will go on because Red Bull and Toro Rosso are still without an engine.Time begins to run low even f they have the resources to recover lost time.Last rumor talks about a Toro Rosso very close to Maranello’s Power-Unit and a Red Bull that would have reopened its negotiations with Mercedes trying to bypass Toto Wolff. It’s time to clarify.
250th Gp: Congrats 'Nando
In a season stingy of results, with the upcoming Russian Gran Prix, Fernando Alonso will accomplish an important goal: 250 Grand Prixs in F1.
“I am really happy for Fenando and his important goal. I am glad I started his career. I wish that his 250 Gp could be an auspice to reach the goals he wants”.
I
t has been 14 years since that young Spanish boy (only nineteen) embarked on the Motor-sport Olympus thanks to Gian Carlo Minardi who after seeing him in action strongly wanted this boy on his team with which Alonso debuted in F1 in 2001 at the wheel of a PS01.The first contact happened some years before, in 1999, on the occasion of the first test-prize ( for having won the World Series by Nissan) at the wheel of Minardi team single-seater on Jerez track.In 2000, simultaneously with his engagement in F3000 Championship, Alonso starts to work with Minardi team.The most important test was surely in Fiorano, where he signed lap times so important to attract the attention of Ferrari. In that moment his price started to rise.
F1 – Silverston at risk. Minardi "I am astonished"
We don’t learn now, but the news upsets us because it represents an alarm bell for the F1 world. Silverstone has delayed the payments due to Mr. Ecclestone. The future of historical Motor-sport is now strongly questioned.
After Germany and Italy, also England risks to lose its F1. We have consulted Gian Carlo Minardi who raced a lot of Gps with his Minardi Team. “I am really astonished. I was aware of the difficulties at Nurburgring and Monza circuits, but if a circuit like Silverstone is in trouble, something doesn’t work. In the last few years, exactly during the Gp, this English sport facility has had a record audience. If a theater can’t earn a living with its shows, we have to revise the rules of the games. In my opinion impoverish who organists the show isn’t fair” manager from Faenza analyzes.
Like the Italian Gp also the English event doesn’t enjoy the Government support. In the last few days, in addition to Mr. E., also Mr. Patrick Allen, managing director of the circuit, has sounded the alarm. “At present I can’t guarantee for the future of Gp. We would need someone willing to invest in the circuit. Give up the Gp would be very sad for the Great Britain and for the whole Motorsport”. Thanks to “F1 Mister”’s intervention 2016 edition won’t be at risk. “They will pay the next year for this year’s race. I personally authorized them, otherwise they would have closed by now”.
F1- Concurrence between F1 and Le Mans. Minardi "No problem"
As soon as we have seen the 2016 F1 Calendar that was decided during the last FIA World Council, we have noticed an extraordinary coincidence. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku and the 24H of Le Mans, the most important event of Endurance, take place in the same week-end (19th June).
In the last few years the World Endurance Championship, that includes the French marathon, has had a great increase of audience, also among the drivers of the Circus. After saying goodbye to Red Bull and F1, Mark Webber joined WEC, side LMP1, under Porsche colors and Nico Hulkenberg reached him this year, precisely on the occasion of the 24H.The German coming from Force India not only took part in it, he also got the victory and increased his prestige in and out the circuit. After his F1 debut at the wheel of Williams in 2010, Nico has never had the occasion to attract attention with a Top team car. Hulkenberg won’t have the opportunity to defend his victory. With such a calendar, to combine all these scheduled events won’t surely be an easy task.
And if Mr. E., as a good conductor, wanted to trick his drivers preventing them to run in other races with such a demanding calendar?Jenson Button instilled this doubt in an interview given to Auto Express. “Each driver thinks about Le Mans. It is a great team work and win it is a great result. I like what Bernie did. He has just clarified that F1 drivers can’t drive cars which not belong to F1. I have a lot of projects for the future, they will have to wait”.
We have consulted Gian Carlo Minardi who at www.minardi.it has commented this way. “Such a long and demanding calendar can easily have some concurrences with other races. In this case thanks to jet lag they won”t even interfere, so I don’t see any problems. Many times we run In Canada in the same week-end of the 24H”.
The manager from Faenza has made no secret of the fact the he doesn’t agree with the idea that a F1 driver undertakes simultaneously in a risky race like Le Mans 24H. “In any case, even if I have the maximum respect for this wonderful event, personally I have never given the no impediment for Le Mans to my drivers.I think that race has to be prepared differently from a F1 Gp. So I have never been willing to take any risks, indeed behind each driver there are substantial investment both from Constructor and sponsors.Hulkenberg is an exception, the majority of the drivers has a contract that doesn’t allow them to run also the 24 Hours”.
F1 2016 Calendar
FIA World Council announced the 2016 F1 Calendar. The curtain will be raised at the end of the week of 20 March with the traditional season-opening Australian gran prix in Melbourne and it will be drawn the on 27th November in Abu Dhabi with the United Arab Emirates Grand Prix. Twenty-one races in just over 8 months with the newness of Azerbaijan (Baku) on 19th June, the same weekend of the 24h at Le Mans.
March 20 – Australia (Melbourne)
April 3 – Bahrain
April 17 – China (Shanghai)
May 1 – Russia (Sochi)
May 15 – Spain (Barcelona)
May 29 – Monaco
June 12 – Canada (Montreal)
June 19 – Azerbaijan (Baku)
July 3 – Austria (Speilberg)
July 10 – Britain (Silverstone)
July 24 – Hungary (Budapest)
July 31 – Germany (Hockenheim)
Aug 28 – Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
Sept 4 – Italy (Monza)
Sept 18 – Singapore
Oct 2 – Malaysia (Sepang)
Oct 9 – Japan (Suzuka)
Oct 23 – United States (Austin)
Nov 6 – Mexico
Nov 13 – Brazil (Sao Paulo)
Nov 27 – Abu Dhabi
With regard to the noise, the dual exahust has been approved. The single-seater car should be equipped with a wastegate valve thought which only its exausted gasses will have to pass.
F1- Minardi: "The partnership Mercedes-Manor? A good signal"
In a short lap of time, McLaren confirmed his partnership with Jenson Button for 2016 while Mercedes announced his intention to supply its six-cylinde to Manor, the small team that now gets silver de facto becoming its Junior Team.
Great job for Banbury’s team that after risking a bankruptcy and a separation from the starting grid now could raise the bar leaving the last place at the grid.Indeed, the partnership with the team managed by Toto Wolff shouldn’t involve just the Power-Unit supply but much more. This way it could become a “home”for all that young driver in Mercedes sphere, like Pascal Wehrlein, already third driver in DTM where he precisely runs for the German group. We have consulted Gian Carlo Minardi in order to better understand the meaning of this partnership.
“The strategy of Toto Wolf, who probably succeeded in avoiding the supply of his PU to Red Bull and in planning an useful partnership for his team, is getting clearer and clearer.This new partnership between Mercedes and Manor is a good signal for all of the top teams, especially Ferrari. De facto Manor becomes a Junior Team where make the drivers around Mercedes grow. Basically it is the same relationship between red Bull and Toro Rosso. A partnership that will allow the little cindarella to climb the rankings” the manager from Faenza analyzes on www.minardi.it. “This situation could embarass some team not really accustumed to the lower zone of the standings. At present Toro Rosso, Sauber, McLaren and Manor occupy the last four place of the standings. Next year, unless a Japaneses’ wonder, McLaren will have to fight to not be the last“.
Manor in Mercedes zone, with Wehrlein from 2016
The official announcement arrived just an hour ago. Manor will drop out Ferrari engines to adopt Brixworth six-cylinder engine in 2016, de facto becoming a junior team of the “Three-pointed Star”.
As things stand, it would be a good breath of fresh air for Banbury’s team, now engaged in the World Championship with a 2014 car which has been evolved just in some elements to suit the current rules.
This new partnership could open the doors to some young drivers who revolve around Mercedes as the German Pascal Wehrlein, present DTM leader ahead our compatriot Mortara (Audi Sport).
The second seat could became a matter between present official drivers Will Stevens and Alexander Rossi, with the addition of the Indonesian Rio Haryanto, supported by Pertamina oil company.
Circus entrance should remain closed for the new F3 Euro Series champion Felix Rosenqvist. The Swedish, born in 1991, supported by Mercedes could attain GT, side DTM.
In recent days, Gene Haas’ team has presented his first driver. It is about Romain Grosjean who will say goodbye Lotus after four years. So, the seat beside the already confirmed Pastor Maldonado frees.
Instead, McLaren-Honda confirmed Jenson Button for 2016 season this morning. Woking’s team used the option on the English that will run his seventh season with Mclaren.
*This article was updated after the announcement of Mercedes.