250th Gp: Congrats 'Nando

/in /by

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”. 

It 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"

/in /by

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"

/in /by

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

/in /by

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 /by

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

/in /by

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.

F1- Red Bull and Toro Rosso: a different solution?

/in /by

While F1 is at work for next Russian Grand Prix, all the technical uncertainties linked especially to Red Bull teams keep leading discussions. In effect, both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso Stable are without an engine at present. However, also the driver market is ready to take its first steps.

ENGINES After criticizing Renaut engines, knocking at Mercedes and receiving the marching orders directly from Carlos Ghosn, now Helmut Marko and Christian Horner declare themselves scandalized because Ferrari would have offer them 2015 engines. However the puzzle gets complicated due to the rules that allows every engine supplier to supply a maximum of four stables. Haas and Sauber are already at Ferrari. So it remains Just a place for two candidates. It looks almost like the musical chair game.

Toro Rosso joined Renault in 2014 catching up with its “sister” RBR and mainly summing up its power. Therefore, under Regulation this collaboration could cease. So what roads Toro Rosso is supposed to take? “Honda knocked at Toro Rosso. A solution that could help the Japanese constructor, and therefore McLaren in developing its troubled Power-Unit. We do know that Honda is around Europe to make a technological shopping” Gian Carlo Minardi comments “.While we are talking, the World Council is going on. It could change the current rules that, among other things, limit each engine supplier to supply a maximum of four teams”.

Mercedes already supplies four teams, Mercedes, Williams, Force India and Maron that replaces Lotus. As said before, at Ferrari there would be a free place ( Ferrari, Sauber, Haas). Honda and Renault (that is going to come back as constructor purchasing Lotus) each have a team. “Now the ball passes to Ferrari and its President who has to decide if add a fourth customer. But be careful. On February 28th 2016 engines meant to be used in season will have to be deposited and frozen. Not being able to use tokens for developing their PU along the season, Official team and customers will have the same unlike this year. So I see the employment of 2015 PU as a difficult event”.

DRIVERS  Contextually to the engine-market, the driver-market could also enliven. Yesterday, Haas team presented the french Grosjean who said goodbye to Lotus leaving temporarily alone the already confirmed (thanks to his sponsors) Maldonado. The arrival of Renault could bring Enstone a top driver like Jenson Button who hasn’t clarified his future yet, whose place beside Fernando Alonso could be taken by Stoffel Vandoorne (who already revolves around McLaren). The arrival of Manor under Mercedes wing could also bring new names like Pascal Wehrlein.”In other words there is really many opportunities to take advantage of. We are waiting to know the news coming from the World Council. Moreover the Diselgate could affected the FIA. Volkswagen group is very involved in motor sport: Porche in WEC, Audi with WEC and DTM, beyond the Rallies for Volkswagen”. The manager from Faenza concludes.

F1 – Japanese Gp: SCORECARDS

/in /by

Among several engine complications regarding Honda, Red Bull and Lotus/Reanault, let’s grade the protagonist of the Japanese Grand Prix along with Giancarlo Minardi.

Lewis Hamilton – 9 impeccable during the race, he was outclassed by his team-mate in qualifying. Once again he proved all the superiority of his Mercedes also scoring a fabulous fast lap, outstripping all of his opponents by over 1”.

Max Verstappen – 8,5 he started from the bottom for the second time, being able to recover up to the ninth place thanks to an intriguing pace and exciting overtakings. A result that was unhoped-for early in the race also due to the features of this Japanese circuit.

Sebastian Vettel – 8 excellent at the start where he out-passed Bottas. He brought home the best result for Ferrari in an unfavorable circuit.

Nico Rosberg – 7 the vote is especially linked to pole position achieved in qualifying. He seemed colorless and not so aggressive as a driver in his position should be. With that car, the second place is the worst result to aim at. He looked like resigned to have to be the second drive.

Nico Hulkenberg – 7 an important sixth place both for him and Force India. It is the proof that the fifth place in the Constructors’ standings is a result achieved on track.

Valterii Bottas – 6,5 at the start he was caught off guard and lost the challenge with his main opponent: Ferrari. He brings some points to William that proves itself third power in the world championship.

Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado – 6,5 in such a hard time for their team, both of them succeeded in getting into the points. A good strength trial for the two Lotus standard-bearers. Maldonado is already confirmed for the next season, and now the team could open its doors to Grosjean.

Haas Carlos Sainz Jr – 6,5 he lost the challenge with his team-mate, the first of all the opponents. He also made a levity entering the box and loosing some time for the replacement of the nose.

Fernando Alonso – 4 it’s a vote linked to his team-radio beyond his malice on track where he has steadily improved his times recovering the eleventh place. An inappropriate outburst especially because addressed to those who wanted him in McLaren. Honda delegated any decisions to his team that, according to rumors, would like to remove him through Ron Dennis. Surely it was an inappropriate outburst, but the fact remains that communications should be better filtered. It is the Fia itself that decides what team-radio broadcast. On this occasion an inelegant tool has been used to keep alive the attention on F1. This kind of facts make people talk.

Mercedes – 10 Pole position and victory with both of its drivers. They proved to have kept their bearings. They are again that perfect and unbeatable car they were before Singapore.

Ferrari – 8,5 with the third and fourth places they strengthen their second place among Constructors and with Vettel they achieved their tenth seasonal podium. A good result considering the technical features of Suzuki, unfavorable to the red.

Lotus – 7,5 despite the lack of liquidity and hospitality, the whole staff is working with the hope of a rescue by Renault. These points raise spirit and strengthen the sixth place.

Williams – 7it succeeded in qualifying but it raced below its capacity. In a circuit suitable for Mercedes Power-Unit like this one, I expected something more from them.

Toro Rosso – 7 they close the week-end ahead their “ cousins” at Red Bull proving to work usefully. I hope they could find an engine solution suitable for their development which allows them to continue their young line that makes us so much fun.

Red Bull – 5 besides not having confirmed the result in Singapore, they lost the challenge with Toro Rosso. Surely they are bothered by their engine complications . They are heavily paying their arrogance, especially towards Renault with which they won four world championship. As soon as they had some problems, they has felt free to heavily point their finger to the French constructor. An aggressive approach that surely alarms Ferrari and Mercedes. They should make an examination of conscience.

EnginePuzzle – Red Bull between Ferrari and Mercedes. Risk at Honda

/in /by

With every days that goes by, the engine tangle is getting more and more complicated at Red Bull. Furthermore, even if the marriage between Red Bull and Mercedes looked like a thing done in late July, during the Italian Gp at Monza, Mercedes made a decisive back step: the management of the German team proclaimed that they won’t supply a team born to win. Meanwhile Ferrari stepped forward through its President Sergio Marchionne. They put words into action with several meetings aimed to reach an agreement.

This way the stable of “The Prancing Horse” would provide its engines to Toro Rosso in addition to Red Bull, starting a significant Power-Unit “waltz” and gaining a good economic returns. We must not to forget that the rules allows each manufacturer to supply a maximum of four teams and the new “Star and Stripes” team Haas will be equipped with a Maranello’s heart from 2016. In this “dangerous” game Sauber could be the loser, with Manor in Mercedes perspective. We approach the end of September and the situation is still stuck. Mercedes uncertainties also spread along Maranello’s corridors.

The rules is clear: all the teams enrolled to the F1 World Championship must have an engine. If Maranello says “no”, measures will be taken by the top brass. As a good orchestra leader, Mr. E won’t stand watching, also because he can’t afford to loose two such important teams like Red Bull and Toro Rosso.The only certainty is that the next year RBR and TR won’t use a Renault PU anymore. If we add to this also the troubles at Lotus and McLaren, we understand that we are fire-walking.Enstone’s group is awaiting Renault to attempt planning the future of its team that in Japan gave a nice trial of strength closing its race in seventh and eighth with Grosjean and Maldonado.

The situation at McLaren-Honda is the same. Ron Dennis’ team is paying the heavy Japanese debacle among some shirker sponsors and others ready to run away.Alonso’s radio-team during Suzuka’s Gp is in inexcusable, it is a synonym of frustration. For Honda it is hard time.The technical gap is huge compared to its opponents. In such situations Japaneses usually made drastic choices. At present it is really difficult to imagine their future in F1 after 2016.

In the next few days something will certainly happen also because there are two cars to be designed.

 

F1 – Road to…Suzuka

/in /by

We enter the last six gran prix of the season with 150 points still at disposal. After the victory signed by Vettel and Ferrari in Singapore, and Lewis Hamilton’s retirement due to some complications, everyone dreams what is impossible.

The Circus arrives at Suzuka, in Japan. It is an old fashioned historical circuit where a mistake is payed heavily, Drivers will have to forget the long paved and safe “Tilke”escapes quickly.

We talk about a track that wrote fundamental pages of this long, fast and demanding sport, this is a circuit also distinguished by its adverse weather conditions. Clearly our thought rapidly goes to last year terrible accident which deprived us of Jules Bianchi.Here engines and tyres are considerably stresses and cause many uncertainties as the entry of the Safety car.

It will be interesting to see how Mercedes will be able to react. Ferrari, little by little, is nibbling essential points.The past teaches us that the German team, is not so perfect under pressure. I believe that William is already in 2016.The third place is sure for them. I don’t think that Red Bull had the power to recover the current gap, so Lotus towards Force India. Instead, Toro Rosso will try to bother Enstone’s team with its two standard-bearers returning from a good week-end in Singapore, especially Verstappen who managed a good recover with the help of two Safety car.

It will be a critical event also behind the scenes with sheavily maneuvers towards a not so rosy future. We have Honda that, among a lot of complications, is arranging to do the honors. Red Bull without engine and Renault that has to decide its plans. In all this, time is inexorably ticking.

F1 – Singapore Gp: SCORECARDS

/in /by

After Sebastian Vettel’s great victory for Ferrari and the debacle of Mercedes, let’s grade the protagonists of this Gp along with Gian Carlo Minardi.

Sebastian Vettel – 10 his week-end was absolutely perfect. He missed just the fastest lap. In qualifying he was more stunning than in race. He made a voluptuous, encyclopedic, textbook lap.

Daniel Ricciardo – 9 with certainly not perfect Red Bull he was able to make a good leap ahead. He was also helped by tires and by the circuit layout that wasn’t severe with his engine.

Max Verstappen – 8,5 despite his mistake at the start he was able to recover giving us amazing over-takings once again.

Carlos Sainz Jr – 8 there is no doubt. Along with his team-mate he has been proving to deserve this F1. Along with Max, he brought important points to Toro Rosso.

Daniil Kvyat – 7,5 he did well on Friday. His qualifying was good while he lost a bit his way during the race even if he brought important points to Red Bull Racing with his sixth place. He was overtake by his team-mate in standings.

Lewis Hamilton – 7 he did very well especially after his changing tires where he kept the leaders’ peace. Unfortunately he was betrayed by the reliability of his Mercedes.

Nico Rosberg – 7 thanks to Hamilton’s retirement he gained 11 points in standings. A good booty at such a crucial time of the season. He reopened the championship even if he will have to pay attention to Vettel.

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez – 7 respectively in fifth and seventh places. The standard-bearers of Williams and Force India optimized the material at their disposal.

Alexander Rossi –  7  debutting in such a demanding circuit like that in Singapore is certainly not an easy task, but the American at Manor proved to match up with the world championship.

Kimi Rraikkonen – 6,5 he did his little homework. Given the conditions of this week-end the third place was the minimum result and it was what he gained. Surely the third place gives Ferrari important and valuable points for the Constructors’ World Championship, but once again the comparison with his team-mate is merciless.

Fernando Alonso – 6 in qualifying he was able to recover, but he could nothing against the unreliability of his McLaren and its Honda engine. Japaneses deserve a severe low mark.

Ferrari – 10 with a result gained o track. In such conditions the car proved to be very strong. They failed nothing, also managing restarts very well.

Red Bull Racing – 8 a great recover, but we are talking about a singular circuit where the engine hasn’t to give its maximum. As happened in Hungary, at lower speed Renault do its better.

Mercedes – 6 I believe this week-end can remain just a bracket in an interesting season. Certainly, they panic under pressure making some mistakes.

F1 – Engine Puzzle – Scenarios

/in /by

From the Frankfurt Motor Show Carlos Ghosn has proclaimed that the partnership between Renault and Red Bull is over. Since 2016 the French Constructor won’t supply its (debated) Power-Unit anymore. The President hasn’t added anything about the future of Renault in Formula 1.
“The announcement about the future of Renault has been postponed to after Frankfurter Motor Show” manager Gian Carlo Minardi declared some days ago to www.minardi.it. Lotus that should be purchased by Renault, is ready to come back with an own team.

The end of this partnership opens several scenarios that will surely characterize this conclusive season. During the Italian Gp at Monza, the President of Ferrari, Sergio Marchionne, declared its willingness to supply Red Bull and Toro Rosso with Maranello’s Power-Unit. He met Helmut Marko and Christian Horner themselves. The stable of the prancing horse has de facto passed the competition of Mercedes, whose talks with the Soft-drinker’s top brass has been interrupted sanctioning de facto the victory of Toto Wolff who has never liked to supply a direct rival.

Scenarios that appeared  already sharped are now ready to mix up. We have to remember, in effect, that according to current rules, every constructor can supply only four teams with its Power-Unit. And don’t forget that many changes will affected the rules in 2017. First things first.

FERRARI POWER-UNIT
As we know, Haas team will joint F1 in 2016 and Ferrari will support it through its propeller. To date, Maranello’s portfolio comprises also Sauber and Manor. If it involved also Red Bull and Toto Rosso  the number of supplies would reach 6 (forbidden by the current rules).

MERCEDES POWER-UNIT 
According to rumors, Manor would be ready to migrate to Mercedes motorization, becoming de facto the German Junior Team. So it will joint Williams and Force India.

RENAUL
Renault has expressed an interest in returning to F1 “in first person” as Constructor and not only as engine supplier by purchasing Lotus which is in heavy financial difficulties. Any announcement has been postponed after the Frankfurt motor show.

SAUBER 
Under the circumstances, Sauber would be forced to migrate to the trans-alpine motorization. According to what announced by Ghosn, Renault would stay in F1 only as Constructor without providing its PU to additional teams. This decision would cause great complications to the Helvetian group.

Mercedes: Mercedes, Williams, Force India, Manor
Ferrari: Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, Haas
Renault: Renault, Sauber (?) Honda: McLaren

F1 – Road to…Singapore

/in /by

From the Frankfurt Motor Show, Carlos Ghosn has announced that the partnership between Renault and Red Bull is over without adding more details about the future of the French Constructor. Surely Red Bull is now in a difficult situation, without a Power Unit in mid-September. I don’t think this is an unexpected news to Horner’s staff, who at first had long approached Mercedes and then Ferrari. Toto Wolff won his battle with the top brass of Mercedes. He effectively has never concealed his dislike about supplying a rival hungry for winning. I’ll be in Singapore and I’ll try to collect more information to be more clear.

The Engine-pool will be the acme in Singapore one of the most beautiful, choreographic and spectacular Gp. It is the first nighttime Gp and has opened a new era of visibility. I am pleased to recall that all this is feasible thanks to an Italian group from Romagna, DZ Engineering. That of Singapore is a circuit with a lot of unpredictability. The Marina Bay, with its 5065 mt and its 23 bends (13 on the left, 10 on the right) is the most demanding circuit of the World Championship, as drivers themselves declare. Even more than Montecarlo. It has all the complications of a town circuit: white strips of road sign, drains and safety-car. And we have to add also the humidity (around 80%) and outdoor temperatures around 35°C. Reliability will be the center of attention even due to haze and pollution that could “smother” the engines.

There are many unknowns that will make the week-end opened to any scenario, even if Mercedes remains the favorite with the usual internal battle between Hamilton and Rosberg. Nico has to be competitive at his best to keep the World Championship alive. On the shoulders of Hamilton and Rosberg I hope to see a growing Ferrari that has to halve its gap from Mercedes. Be careful about Red Bull, even if surely it won’t have any update until the end of the World Championship. Toro Rosso will try to gain that points that it has missed so far due to its lack of reliability. Force India instead is going above its expectations. About tires, Pirelli will suggest its Super-soft and Soft, as it did in 2014. Last year Hamilton won with the SS-SS, he mounted the Soft tires only in the last 10 laps.