F1-Engine Puzzle: Everything postponed until Frankfurt Motor Show

/in /by

To complete the puzzle of the tangled Motor issue, particularly connected with Red Bull Racing team, only  the last  two  pieces seemed to last.  The week-end of Monza’s GP has been stage of some meetings, not just about the renewal of the contract between the circuit and Mr. E, but also about the supply of PU to Dietrich Mateschitz’s teams. The time available to make a decision is passing inexorably and Adria Newey has begun to press.

Helmut Marko and Christian Horner encountered the top brass at Ferrari to seek a technical solution for 2016. However much will depend on Renault that is engaged in the purchase of Lotus for its comeback in F1’s front-line, not just as an engine provider.
According to the last rumors considering the purchase of Lotus very likely, the French Constructor will publicize his purposes only after the Frankfurt motor show scheduled from 19 to 27 September. So, the event of an agreement between Red Bull and Mercedes is called into question.
“Ferrari declared itself available to supply its PU to Toro Rosso and Red Bull, even if everything will depend on what Renault is going to do. Positions that were clear have been complicating.  Mercedes Motorsport has never been sure about supply such a troublesome team like Red Bull Racing. Instead, The Management of Mercedes would look kindly upon a partnership with such a juvenile brand” Gian Carlo Minardi analyzes. “According to the last rumors everything is postponed until the end of the Frankfurt Motor Show”.

Red Bull racing is now in a thorny position: it can guarantee a young and attractive brand but it is also a fearful competitor being in F1 to win.

F1,Italian Gp – SCORECARDS: from 0 to 10

/in /by

FIA – ZERO  what happened in Monza after the checkered-flag is really ridiculous. You can’t keep the whole paddock in suspense for two hours and a half about a supposed infraction by Mercedes and then put and end on the matter with nothing coming from it declaring that you are going to decide what to do in the future. Situations like these shouldn’t happen in F1 because they are an additional disorienting signal to the fans. There is a lack of fixed rules. Everything is dictated by improvisation and chance. You can’t call into question a sport result like that Hamilton and Mercedes achieved this way. It’s time to organize a permanent, competent, and full time technical staff. I had been perplexed by the fact that any communication about the inquiry was given only to Toto Wolff’s staff and not to journalists as well. I am not sure if a similar regard has ever been used also to all the other teams.

A scandalous FIA which carries itself iniquitously in minor formulas too. I experienced a blatant example of that exactly in Monza with GP3 Series when the car of Luca Ghiotto, who was leading the standings, was subjected to many controls to the limit of patience putting the driver under pressure. This kind of controls doesn’t usually involve his competitors for the title: strangely enough they run for Art Gran Prix.

Lewis Hamilton – 10 we have to reconfirm him as the top of the class. He had been able to manage his car at his liking, turning constantly 5 tenths of a second faster than Vettel and increasing his gap to 1” (that are Friday’s registered gaps) when the mysterious communication about the team arrived. Furthermore, as I was told, Mercedes would have finished the race with 9kg of gasoline on board. Really noteworthy.

Nico Rosberg – 8 he was really unlucky. Everything happens to him. Last week-end he was affected by a breakdown of his new generation PU being forced to run with a dated unit which had more than 4000 km on the shoulders. Despite that, he has been attacking the Ferrari driver gaining 3-4 tenth of a second per lap.

Sebastian Vettel – 8 he exploited as best he could the potential of his Ferrari taking it to the third place in general standings. He ended the race in the second place pushing to the maximum and resisting Rosenberg’s attacks.

Felipe Massa – 8 once again he finished ahead his team-mate taking his Williams on the podium and gaining some important points. A precious result even for his personal standing and for his reputation.

Valtteri Bottas – 7 with his fourth place he completed Williams’ good week-end, despite some mistakes at the box and his slow pit stops.

Sergio Perez -7 he and Nico Hulkenbeh took their Force in the top 10, strengthening the fifth lace in Constructor’s general standings. They gained points that will make a difference at the end of the season.

Daniel Ricciardo – Daniil Kvyat, Carlos Sainz Jr, Max Verstappen – 7 although being penalized by Reanult’s PU and being forced to start from the bottom, they have been able to recover. Ricciardo’s eight place is good. Unfortunately the bearers of Toro Rosso haven’t been collecting what they deserve. Surely the change of the motor unit will penalized them again. Verstappen would deserve half point more for his good time’s over-takings. The boy has been growing and now he is an adult.

Marcus Ericsson – 7 he has showed good things. He has very often outperformed his team-mate, Luiz Felipe Nasr, looking at the future he is undoubtedly one of the more interesting young.

Kimi Raikkonen – 6 Great time in qualifying. He demonstrates how much is permitted to a driver who has gained respect. His mistake at the start is anyway unforgivable even if he then made a good recover arose from numerous over-takings against a series of car which are decisively not so well-performing as his Ferrari. He could have made change the team ‘s strategy. They could have attempted to “squeeze” Hamilon’s Mercedes.

F1 – Road to…Monza

/in /by

After the emotions at the Spa-Francorchamps and those at Brisighella where Mercedes was crowned with the Lorenzo Bandini trophy, we are now preparing to live the Monza Gp, in its 66th edition.

Most assuredly it’s going to be a very complicated week-end as during its launch  we could witness President of Lombardy  Roberto Maroni’s expressions of opinion and AC Milano President Ivan Capelli and ACI President Angelo Sticchi Damiani’s replies, with some off-stage meetings trying to break through the post-2016 scenario. Also Matteo Renzi is going to come at the circuit to do the honors on Sunday.

This week-end will be also characterized by the financial complications at Lotus and by the motoring future of Red Bull whose agreement with Mercedes could be called into question given the difficulties encountered by Renault in purchasing Lotus. A meeting between Red Bull’s top brass and French Constructor that has recently took place could open doors so far closed.

From what I have learned in Brisighella, Mercedes Motorsport doesn’t look kindly upon an agreement with “the Beveragers” unlike the management of the German group. Once again, having an hand in this there is Mr. E. who is conducting the orchestra. In recent days, he payed wages to Lotus employee’s and he engaged to ensemble a parterre of people to keep the World Championship competitive and interesting. We then have a Ferrari interested in buying a segment of Toro Rosso.

Talking of the track, we are waiting a press conference from Pirelli who is going to explain in detail what happened at Spa. Differently from last year, the constructor will take the Soft and Medium tire compounds to the track, With regard to the weather, the next week-end could be bothered by milder temperatures.

So, we are approaching the end of the championship and everybody will give their maximum. Mercedes remains the favorite but they’ll have to pay attention to reliability. At Monza, the Pus will turn to their maximum for the 67% of the trail, hard breaking will have a fundamental role too, so changes of directions. We have to pay attention to the first variant, scene of difficult moments. Ferrari, Williams, Red Bull, Force India, and as we hope also Lotus will try to fight for top places. It will give Rosberg one of the last chances to keep the world championship open. We hope that the “new dad” could reach Monza thoughtless, ready to fight with his team-mate.

There are all the ingredients it takes to experience a great weekend and Gp. Everybody in front of TVs or tribunes. I’ll be present at the circuit and I hope to see terraces and field crowded by supporters. It would be also a good motivation to sign the new contract.

F1, Belgian Gp – Scorecards

/in /by

That at the Circuit of Spa was a special day. We saw a crowded circuit as we hadn’t seen since good times. This Gp was dominated by Mercedes with a breath-taking final due to the burst of the right rear tire of Vettel’s Ferrari. This refrain will lead the discussion for the next fifteen days looking forward to Monza.As usual, we draw up our scorecards:

Lewis Hamilton – 9 honestly he would also deserved 10, but the credit of his supremacy belongs to Mercedes other than his unquestionable virtue. Even so, Lewis has outclassed his team-mate Rosberg giving him 0”458 in practice. After a perfect start, he managed the race to his linking continuing to distance himself from his main rival.

Romain Grosjena – 8 Lotus driver ended on the podium one of his best ever Gp since he has been in F1. Capable in he Practice, perfect in the race. He skilfully managed the car and and the tires. Once he had understood Vettel’s strategy, consisting in just one pit stop, he attacked Ferrari driver in the final part of the race. He gave a real shot in the arm to his Team that had lived a difficult w.e. among lawyers and bailiffs due to its economical difficulties.

Sebastian Vettel – 8 thanks to what he showed in the race. In practice he hadn’t been decisive with his ninth time that could have had compromised the Gp. Once again, the makings of a Champion has emerged during the race with a super start, a robot race pace and a peculiar management of tires aimed to reach the podium. Surely he adopted an hazardous strategy, but he was great in the last laps facing the Eau Rouge with his tires stressed by 26/27 laps. Then, unfortunately, the burst at the 28th lap frustrated all his work and strategy.

Daniil Kvyat (4°) and Max Verstappen (8°) – 8 these two guys showed us old-time overtakings. The first is gaining his Team’s trust thanks to his resolution and speedy. The second showed us how to face the Blanchimount (one of the most difficult and fastest bend) keeping his foot down and making an almost impossible overtaking. “Insanity an genius” has emerged making us understand his great potential. Surely we’ll enjoy his challenge in the future.

Sergio Pérez – 7 he gained a good qualifying, he didn’t make any mistakes during the race assuring to Force India an unexpected fifth place and some important scores for the championship.

Fernando Alonso – 7 he has demonstrated to be that Champion he is and he would deserve a more competitive car. He has showed his value during the race with a quick start that allow him to recover 8 positions and fight for a long time with Ericsson (10th) and Nasr’s Sauber during the race. He imposed 49” to his mate-driver Button.

Nico Rosberg – 6 I don’t understand what is happening to him! He was outclassed in practice by Lewis, making a disastrous start and a little aggressive race. Only the excessive power of Mercedes, that hasn’t rivals at the moment, permitted him to reach the second place and the fastest time. Not enough for someone who would aim to challenge his mate-driver for the final victory.

Kimi Raikkonen – 6 the renewal of the contract wasn’t enough to glance him over. He did the minimum required to gain some scores, but I expect more from him even if he has reached Vettel’s times in many occasions during the race. Unfortunately this times are distant from Mercedes’ ones.

Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa have no vote because Williams once again nullyfied everything with their miscalculated strategies, and their mistakes at the box. Anyway, they were good in qualifying with Bottas in the second row. Probably it’s time to review some managing mechanisms.

Goodbye Justin

/in /by

I remeber Justin Wilson with great regret. “The Gentle Giant” was a fast driver. He began his adventure in F1 with Minardi and then as a Formula Indy driver he has excelled many times.

A driver-manager who first anticipated Motorsport Crowd-funding. His personality was able to attract liking and support to his career. Unfortunately a tragic fate has deprived us of one of our guys.

Goodbye Justin

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Mercedes wins 2015 Bandini trophy

/in /by

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team wins this year’s XXII edition of the prestigious Lorenzo Bandini trophy.
The prize dedicated to the unforgettable Italian driver will be collected by Toto Wolff, Executive director of the Star team, in the medieval village of Brisighella on 30 August. Moreover, Paddy Lowe, Technical manager of the group, will be honored with the Senate President medal.

As usual, many sportsmen and insiders emerging for their high quality and passion will be rewarded on this occasion.

That’s who will be awarded: Herman Rilke, the most eminent F1 circuit designer; National Cycling Ct Davide Cassani; illustrious Italian cameramen Franchino Scandinaro; former F1 Minardi’s designer, Gabriele Tredozi who is going to claim his prize driving a PS04 Minardi; Rai sport Journalist Sandro jacobini; journalist and director at Omnicose Franco Nunges; GP3 Aci Sport Team Italian driver Luca Ghiotto; RTL newscaster Florian Koing; driver and Sky sport columnist, Davide Valsecchi.

In such a charming setting, before such illustrious guests, Mercedes F1W05 Hybrid, 2014 World Champion sinle-seater, will be exhibited.

We remind to fans the Museum of F1 Champions’s Tracksuits and the attractive shows of classic cars: classic Mercedes and Fiat 500 ‘s parade.

F1 – Road To … Spa-Francorchamps

/in /by

After a three weeks break, the F1 Worls Championship is ready to start again with enthusiasm thanks to the appeal of the Spa-Francorchamps and to the results at the Hungaroring. It also restarts with some uncertainties due to the variable weather conditions, a constant feature in Belgium, to the first sharp turn –stage of some spectacular moments- and to the fact that for the first time the start won’t be completely assisted. As usual, the guarantee is the German “battleship” signed by Mercedes.

The struggle between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg remains open with the two bearer of Mercedes detached by 18 length. Behind them a great challenge branded Ferrari and Williams.The Red from Maranello shows up in the Ardennes strengthened by its second seasonal success signed by Sebastian Vettel in Hungary that has refueled enthusiasm and dreams for an almost unattainable venture.Yet, watch out for Williams. The Circus is getting ready to approach two/three fast racetrack that on paper could favor the team from Grove. A little help for Vettel and Raikkonen could come from Pirelli that like in 2014 is going to present Soft and Medium tires although of different construction. “Yellow” tyre compounds could really favor the SF15-T. Watch out of weather conditions.

Differently from what seen on the slow Hungarian track, the Power-Unit will be critical for straight roads, accelerations and changes of directions at the Spa-Francorchamps. Surely it is a long track where a driver can make a difference, still he can’t do wonders.The driver is always essential on this track, but current cars will especially highlight challenges between drivers belonging to the same team, rather than provide for technical gap among cars belonging to different stables. From the point of view of the frame, Red Bull could have its say If it won’t have reliability complications, even if the uunknown of first penalisations looms over.

Among group B teams I  have confidence in Toro Rosso that lost important scores in the last races ending in any case the first part of this season with a good Verstappen’s fourth place in Hungary. I expect from them an aggressive and interesting final season. Spa could be their springboard to approach the fifth place in constructir general standings which was their early season goal. Instead I don’t trust much Lotus, engaged in a negotiation with Renault for the team transfer. I don’t trust much also Force India due to its economical problems.

Manouvres for 2016 are going on behind the scenes, while  the Working Group gathers on 18 August. I hope for decisions other than ones sketched in recent meetings. If anything, I’ll comment them separately.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Angelo Sticchi Damiani: «Monza is important to F1»

/in /by

With engines off for the summer break, www.Minardi.it has had the pleasure of meeting President of ACI Angelo Sticchi Damiani to comment along with him this first months of Aci Team Italia, and, of course, the future of the Italian GP at Monza.

This year you launched the Aci Team Italia Rally and Speed. On the front of speed we have Ghiotto and Marciello engaged respectively in GP3 and GP2 with Trident team. Can we make a first assessment?
The gained results clearly suggest that we are on the high road and we can say we achieved two important victory from now on. The first is against skepticism which has affected this project from the start. Always the same people.In particular some on line magazines passed from an initial irony to a general no-comment. Even so, I don’t expect any support from them. The majority of media and “authorized personnel” have soon understood that it was about the first steps of a serious project that will gain great results in the very near future. We achieved the second victory on the field making sure that the two guys at Trident could have a financial and communication support. So they could face as best as they can the season and gain good, sometimes excellent, results.

Talking of young, Marciello and Fuoco took part in the F1 tests driving a Ferrari. Luca Ghiotto instead, leading GP3 general standings, was called by Red Bull to test their F1 simulator. A good result for the Federal School. How do you judge the program?
For the Federal School and Aci (the Italian federation sport automotive, as we must remember) the achieved results are just the starting point which deeply empowers us for the future and engages us to keep on giving our best efforts to lead one or more Italian drivers to F1 as soon as possible.

Italian motor sport is having a good time. Other Italian drivers engaged in most important International Championship are also getting substantial results both on single-seated front and GT. This is the outcome of Aci’s strategy conducted through formative stages and FDA.What does we miss to reach F1 and what will be the next steps to assist this guys in the best way?
I don’t want to sound too optimistic , but from my point of view, we don’t miss anything and we are ready to get the goal that we have set ourselves. What are the next steps? Keep hard working with minor categories to find new talents and to enhance supports, including economical ones, towards the most deserving drivers.

You have been the first to embrace the project of F4 that was deeply wanted by FIA.This year we reached the second chapter of Italian F4 Championship powered by Abarth. What do you think about these Championship and project?
Yes, we first understood the importance of this project, and we first started. So we pointed out to others the way, even for technical choices. The Championship is having a good moment and its fame crosses national borders, as is shown by the participation of several foreign drivers. Again, we need to go on because it is through this formula that we’ll gain our future champions.

In 2016 we’ll celebrate the centenary of Targa Florio, but the contract between F1 and Monza will expire.What can you say about Italian GP?
I can say that our main goal is the confirmation of Italian GP at Monza. We are working in every directions attempting to make every protagonist understand not just the value of the GP itself due to its history and technical past, but also the great future benefits that all this can hand over F1. Unfortunately the recent cancellation of historical races taught us to look ahead to make everybody understand how having a GP in Monza could benefit us also from an economical point of view. F1 is having a bad moment on the front of audience and show.

What is your recipe to raise again the show and re-attract the audience?
Unfortunately we are accustomed to sectorial analysis that cause us to loose the overall view and also the right way to face the problems. It is the whole race world, save some sporadic exceptions, that is facing this crossing point to new way of making and enjoying this show. There aren’t any easy recipes. Sure, we need not to make errors like cancel Monza GP where love and passion towards F1 are assured to approach new region economically more favorable.

Downfall started with the introduction of these Power-Unit, also because “the little noise”. F1 is the right stage for this technology or it would be better to use the FIA WEC? Turbo and Hybrid will be the future for standards cars?
I don’t believe that the downfall started with the introduction of Power-Unit and surely F1 is the right theater for every new technology. Hybrid, in my point of view, is an essential step even in the present of standards cars. In the last months, security return on spotlight, a living argument even on our roads.

As ACI, what kind of campaign are you conducting? And what can we do to teach young to enjoy in moderation?
The battle for road security is a strong point for Automobile Club Italia’s action. Initiatives like Sara Safe Factor, for example, lead ten thousands girls and boys just licensed, to talk about road safety with drivers and auto sport men. But we can also think to Kart in Piazza where we start to talk about road safety to children letting them play with little karts on safe routes. Our activity is determined also in politics. There are our ideas and projects behind new initiatives. Unluckily we have still to realize that with 3000 deaths per year and hundred thousands injured we are facing a real war. Everybody should probably become aware of that.

A special thanks to President Angelo Damiani Sticchi and his Press Office for its kind cooperation.

Red Bull studies 2017 F1. Minardi "I'm asthonished"

/in /by

F1’s Working Group will meet again on the 18th of August to discuss Circus change starting from 2017. They are going to drawn on the research commissioned to Red Bull by the International Federation… Yes, really, the same Red Bull taking part to F1 World Championship with even two separated teams: RBR and TR.

So, once again, FIA directly grounds on teams and their engineers to work out new proposals to be included in the Regulation.
The same rules that will order the features of next single-seaters. As already happened in the past, with the involvement of that old fox of Ross Brawn who dominated season 2009 with his Brawn GP ( after having purchased structures and materials from the outgoing Honda). He dominated thanks to his famous diffuser and the tune of eight victories which earned him the World Constructors’ Championship and the World Driver’ Championship with Jenson Button.

“I am really asthonished. We go back in time, when the same Brawn who studied the new car manufactured an unbeatable one with innovative solutions like the diffuser. I have been long arguing that the task of make proposals to be presented to teams is up to the the FIA, not to the stables themselves” Gian Carlo Minardi analyzes on www.Minardi.it. “In this way we would avoid certain favoritisms. At FIA there should be men capable to decide and legislate rules for each area of expertise. Men not engaged in teams. You’d think that they don’t have an appropriate staff to make professional proposals”.

F1- Mid-season scorecard: Drivers

/in /by

After the teams, let’s analyze the Drivers.

Lewis Hamilton – 9 Especially for his five victories. At the moment he is the fittest driver. Fortunately for us, he too made some little mistakes. He will remember Hungary for a long time.

Sebastian Vettel – 8,5 He is fighting and making the most of his Ferrari taking it to the second place of the World Constructors’ Championship. He made two exemplary victories. In the time of need he was ready to make the most of “Mercedes’s favors”.

Nico Rosberg – 8 Decisively under level, especially in qualifying. Last year he won his personal challenge with Hamilton. But now, in my opinion, he looks discharged. He isn’t the Nico I expected to see.

Felipe Massa – 7,5 surely he done better than his team-mate wanted by rumors instead of  Raikonnen at Ferrari. He is still beyond Bottas in general standings but the Brasilian are making the most of his Williams.

Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz Jr, Daniil Kvyat – 7 the Finnish at Williams’ is fighting, while Red Bull drivers represent the “advancing newness”.
The young guys are building their future in F1. Despite the jump into main team and the disapprovals received early in the season, the Russian is coping with Ricciardo.
Meanwhile TR is pursuing his “green” challenge. At the Hungaroring, Vestappen scored his best result and  almost touched the podium with a fourth place.

Daniel Ricciardo – 6,5 Half a point below his team-mate because he can rely on a greater experience. He isn’t the Ricciardo we saw last season. Undoubtedly he suffer more than the others for Red Bull lack of competitiveness.

Kimi Raikkonen- 6 It’s a vote of confidence. He dosn’t do what he should for Ferrari. In Hungary he was unlucky for a breakdown but one swallow doesn’t make a summer. In general standings he payed 3 tenth to his team-mate and a sec to Hamilton.

F1- Mid-season scorecard: Teams

/in /by

The engines are off and the factories closed for the summer break so we take the opportunity to draw up the first semester scorecard. Certainly,  this pahse was affected by Mercedes which has been able to dominate far and wide, high and low, especially through Lewis Hamilton. It was also a period characterized by the pleasant Ferrari’s revival as second world power, ahead of Massa and Botta’s Williams and Red Bull which was heavily affected by trans-alpine Power-unit.

Mercedes – 8 Technically speaking, if we judged just the six consecutive race run with the same PU it would certainly be a 10 with honors. The mark decreases of two points due to the strategic mistakes in Malaysia, Monaco and Hungary.

Ferrari – 8 Two victories and seven placements took them to the second place in Manufacturer World Championship. But the gap with the “Silver Arrows” is great. They did well to take advantage of the two “Mercedes favors”.

Williams – 7,5 Half a point less than Maranello. They have a high-performing car on fast circuits but they loose ground on slower ones ( like in Hungary). As happened last year, they will be able to turn the situation around in the second part of the season.

Red Bull and Toro Rosso – 7 Technically the two cars by bibitari are well manufactured even if they pay an enormous penalty for Renault Power-Unit complications. In particular TR is short in heavy points due to the lack of reliability in the last rounds. In Hungary, a circuit not suitable for motors, they took three cars in the first fourth places.

Sauber – 6,5 Eighth place and 22 points just ahead to McLaren and Marussia. It’s better than 2014 but they don’t live up to their tradition. They started positively this season, loosing later their way.

Lotus and Force India – 6 Despite Mercedes engine they are getting less than last year due also to their financial difficulties, especially at Lotus.

McLaren – 5 This mark is especially directed to Honda which is in a big trouble. They realized that the Japanese technology is already obsolete and are trying to remedy “by shopping” in Europe. Their path is really uphill and it won’t be easy to recover. So far Alonso and Button gained just 17 points. In Hungary Fernando’s fifth place is a great shot on the arm , but that was also an odd GP.

F1- Red Bull-Mercedes. It's reality.

/in /by

After Minardi.it announced a tam-tam concernig Renault’s interest in purchasing the 100% of Lotus team few days ago, now rumors consider an agreement between Red Bull and Mercedes as a done deal. According to them, Mercedes will provide his Power-Unit to Milton Keynes-based team already from the next season.

It is a really interesting step because a group who tenaciously wants to win again joins the current “fleet”composed by Williams, Force India, and Lotus. Almost certainly there will be four German’s customer-teams with Gérard Lopez’s group transition under transalpine colors.

“As previously mentioned Renault is not interested anymore in just a part of the Lotus team but in its entire stake, to start relevant manoeuvres which could concern also Red Bull which is heavily atoned for the transalpine PU. According to last rumors the first domino has fel apart starting a great change for 2016” Gian Carlo Minardi analyzes at the microphones of Minardi.it. “A direct rival for the title appears among Mercedes’ customer. Dietrich Mateschitz deeply wanted this transformation and his men want to win again. This could generate a wonderful championship. We hope that Ferrari could recover its gap to play the game” the manager from Faenza continues.

However there could be other news as told us by the ex Team Principal and Manufacturer.“Within Red Bull’s team there is also a discussion about an important change on the Driver front aiming to take a top driver to Milton Keynes, with respect to Ricciardo and Kyvat. There are really many opportunities to take advantage of ,with many drivers close to contract expiration or who could be released for lack of results”.

F.1 – Road to… Hungaroring

/in /by

The Hungaroring circuit, where the 10th Formula 1 GP is going to be hosted, is usually compared to a kart circuit due to his very slow layout requiring a strong downforce unlike the two next appointments on the Spa-Francorchamps and Monza tracks.

It’s going to be an insidious week-end due to the high temperatures embarrassing resistance of Pirelli’s Soft and Medium tyres, the little grid of the asphalt and the dust, which is settling in this moment, even because we are talking about a little used track. Another variable will be determined by the tyre settling outside the ideal trajectory and that could create some complications for drivers engaged in overtakings.

Due to the cancellation of the German GP we come in Hungary after three weeks of forced break. We’ll see who has worked in a better way and what newness will have been bring forward. Beyond Mercedes’ supremacy I hope Ferrari could counter attack the recovery of William, which showed strong signals of growth in the last appointments. Maranello is called to show a strong signal to be again the second World championship power even on track.

Behind these two teams the gap is short. It doesn’t take much to change the forces in the field.

Red Bull remains the great riddle of this year. They remain a fearsome entity thanks to their potential even if they are heavily paying the delay of Renault PU. Moreover, they have some complications with the chassis.

Toro Rosso “cousins” signed for the firth place in the Constructor standings. Certainly, thanks to their technical and economical potential, this goal is within their reach. So far they didn’t collect what they deserved.

The fifth position won’t be an easy goal to gain and Force India goes with an advantage of 20 points.

Gian Carlo Minardi