Archive for category: F1

The media “tam-tam” around the announcement of Max Verstappen continues to monopolize the conversation, diverting the attention both from the results on the track and from the great manoeuvres behind the scenes. The move of Red Bull, ‘teacher in marketing’, that has in fact attracted all the attention on itself creating a real media event, denied the undisputed leaders of this championship the front pages of newspapers and networks. “With this move, Red Bull has been able to convey the attention on itself, distracting those in the know from the results on the track or from the manoeuvers related to the drivers’ market. In these last days, it has spoken predominantly about the lightning passage of the young Max Verstappen in Toro Rosso, blurring the unbelievable result in qualifying, that highlighted two Mercedes fobbing off two world champions as Sebastian Vettel (3^rd) and Fernando Alonso (4^th) with even 2″ in qualifying. These performances have reaffirmed in Race, demonstrating an incredible superiority in overall level (chassis – Power Unit – electronics), although undermined by Pilots’ mistakes”, analyzes Gian Carlo Minardi on www.minardi.it.

Red Bull opened the games, but in these days great manoeuvres are expected. “After the significant investments within McLaren, Honda is looking for a Top Driver. The recent statements of loyalty by Fernando Alonso at Ferrari have effectively removed one of the ‘unhappy’. Therefore, Vettel and Hamilton remain into play. From Japan, a very strong manoeuvre is suggested to me; it has been played in the last days by Honda, in order to win the pair Newey/Vettel. Exactly at Spa-Francorchamps, Bernie Ecclestone approached Sebastian Vettel. As happened on other occasions, driven by the various actors, Mr. E might have tried to put his own, in order to convince the German champion to accept this new challenge without involving Newey. Even to Ecclestone would be convenient to see a top-driver in the recovered McLaren-Honda pair”.

The involvement of the Japanese manufacturer against Sebastian Vettel would get back into the game the landing of Carlos Sainz Jr. in Formula 1. Gian Carlo Minardi hopes for Toro Rosso in very “Young” version, with Verstappen-Sainz Jr. and the Russian Kvyat, promoted in Red Bull Racing alongside Daniel Ricciardo. As already mentioned a few days ago: “On the basis of these news, the mosaic begins to take shape. By signing the young Max, Red Bull (a brand strongly aimed at young people) accomplished an important marketing action, as well as acquiring a new potential talent. Moreover, it might also realize the task that practically everyone took for granted: Carlos Sainz Jr. in F1, Toro Rosso side. At this point, it comes easy to think about a promotion for the young Russian Kvyat alongside Ricciardo, in case the transition of Sebastian Vettel to Honda will materialize“.

“Hamilton’s enigma still remains. Unhappy more than ever after the ‘close contact’ with Rosberg, he has been defended for the first time firmly and peremptorily by Team Principal Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda. Is a new scenario emerging, changing the future strategies of Mercedes? Does a new pretender loom on the horizon … Valtteri Bottas? A young man who showed his value on track and we should not forget that he has a remarkable manager: Toto Wolff!“, concludes Gian Carlo Minardi.

The games are getting to the heart and in Monza we will know what developments will materialize for many of these movements behind the scenes.

Set aside the three-week of summer break, this weekend Formula 1 is ready to get back on track, on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, after some controversies, cut and thrust among the various teams.

Therefore, we are back on track with two tough appointments like Spa and Monza, two authentic circuits, in which the Mercedes (despite some problems of reliability) and their PU start certainly as favourite. Williams, however, could be the outsider, ready to create confusion in the first row. It will be interesting to see what innovations will be brought on track, because, in spite of summer break, the brilliant minds of the technicians have continued to think and work out, in terms of the end of the Championship and of the upcoming season.

In fact, we enter in the final part of the Championship, that promises to be very “hot”, as we have already mentioned in the previous appointments, with great movements behind the scenes. Belgium and Italy have traditionally been two intense weekends and we will see which negotiations will come to an end and which will remain locked in teams’ drawns. I have my own personal memories of 2005-Spa circuit, which marked the passage of my team in the hands of Dietrich Mateschitz.

For example, after the large investments with McLaren, we have Honda on the hunt for a super-top driver to place alongside the young Kevin Magnussen. They want to make a return in great style, to start as best they can. Consequently, Button should no longer fall within the McLaren plans. In Mercedes, at the moment, only Nico Rosberg has signed the contract extension and it is not taken for granted the permanence of Sebastian Vettel in Red Bull. Considering Ferrari, there should not be big movements, with Fernando Alonso mainly interested in receiving more guarantees on the technical front. But in life, and especially in F1, you can never say never. In these days, the vent of Marmorini is synonymous with great nervousness and, therefore, Marco Mattiacci must first of all bring serenity within the team.

Red Bull has started itself to shake up the market, putting under contract Max Verstappen, who has followed in his father’s footsteps – Jos Verstappen – and who ran with me in 2003; he’s doing very well in Formula 3, as well as our Antonio Fuoco and Antonio Giovinazzi. In the next season, the Dutch will be the new driver for Toro Rosso team, alongside Kvyat. The games have started.

We come from very interesting races, that have been able to give us back that show so claimed from the beginning of the season, proving that this F1 is not to reject, being in front of such an epochal change. The engineers and technicians have been able to make giant steps, such as at Renault, allowing Daniel Ricciardo to conquer the only two victories so far not marked Rosberg and Hamilton. And  exactly Ricciardo will be awarded in Brisighella with the Bandini Trophy on August 31st, an award that has always been a good auspice to its winners (from Schumacher to Vettel, passing through Rosberg, Alonso and many others), who brought home extremely interesting results.

Note: Article updated upon confirmation of Verstappen in Toro Rosso.

The fourth round of the Italian Championship F.4 powered by Abarth – held at the Magione Circuit, in Umbria – is over: for Joao Vieira it has not been a very positive weekend. The 10 points scored, thanks to the fifth place in Race-1, are a less rewarding result comparing to the expectations for this race, for the 16-year-old Brazilian driver.

Race-2 has in fact been compromised by a mistake and by the contact at the first corner, which put an end to the race.

In Race-3 the driver of Antonelli Motorsport had to settle for a thirteenth place, for a mistake at the first corner too. Therefore, the loss of more than ten positions at the first corner has inevitably affected the final result.

“It has been a weekend in which I have not achieved much in terms of results and points and I regret that, but it has been very important in terms of the experience I have gained”, Joao Vieira comments.

“It was an intense weekend, concentrated in just two days of competition and characterized by some inexperience mistakes which affected all three races. I am sure that Joao will build on this experience and the summer break will be useful to recharge our batteries, giving us the strength to finish the season improving our performance, in a finale that promises to be intense”, the Manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

After the summer break, the second part of the season will start on the demanding track “Piero Taruffi” in Vallelunga, on the weekend of September 13^th and 14^th, 2014.

We saw another dazzling GP with many variables and masterfully conducted by extremely deserving pilots; therefore, grading these protagonists is going to be pretty easy.

Ricciardo – 10 For the aggressive race’s behavior and the overtakings on Alonso and Hamilton, made three laps from the end.

Alonso – 10 Perfect race, always on the attack, as if every lap will be Qualifying. He was very smart, taking advantage of the Soft tyres for 31 laps; without a sensational Ricciardo, he would have certainly won this GP

Hamilton – 9 He recovered from the bottom of the starting row and, with an offensive race, he conquered an important podium for the Championship

Rosberg – 8 After an extraordinary Qualifying during the race, he didn’t emerged as in other occasions, but strategy didn’t certainly helped him. Perhaps, if he had changed the Soft tyres two laps before, he could get another result.

Vergne – 8 He struggled in second position, especially in the early laps, and he finally took points to Toro Rosso

Raikkonen – 7 Perhaps, he did the best race of 2014, hoping for gaining some serious points for the Constructors’ Championship

Mass and Bottas – 7 They could not do better, even if they had cars with high-performances, thanks to the stategies’ choices of William – in my opinion, a bit weird

Button – 6 He brought home a point with a car which was in a difficult situation, with a very questionable strategy too

Bianchi – 6 A mark of encouragement, according to the Qualifying in Q1, when he eliminated Raikkonen with a perfect lap

Vettel – 5 Bad start, nervousness and a mistake that could cost him a lot. After a good Qualifying like an ex World Champion, he suffered Ricciardo during the race

Nico Rosberg – 9 He showed all seriousness, professionalism and peace of mind needed to lead the World Championship.

Valtteri Bottas – 9 He showed to be the strongest emerging pilot, like Daniel Ricciardo. With his third consecutive podium, he is preparing to attack Alonso’s fourth place.

Daniel Ricciardo – 9 He struggled a lot, creating an amazing battle with Fernando Alonso and demonstrating not only all his talent, but also that he can fight on par with a double World Champion like the Ferrari driver.

Fernando Alonso – 9 Another great race. After Vettel, he changed rival, offering a beautiful show to the public together with the Australian driver of RedBull. He is holding the honor of Ferrari, but nevertheless they have become the fourth power of the World Championship.

Lewis Hamilton – 8.5 For the Sunday’s race; he certainly deserves a 9 too, but his nervousness has sometimes emerged, preventing him from attacking Rosberg seriously. It’s true that he came from a rather serious technical problem on Saturday, but he should be able to manage the tensions, being a World Champion.

Sebastian Vettel – 8 He completed his task, being able to stand before Daniel Ricciardo, that has been slowed by the opening contact between Magnussen and the unfortunate Massa.

Nico Hulkenberg – 7.5 He was good, because he brought his Force India in the seventh place.

Jenson Button – 6 He defended with his tooth and nail, despite not McLaren at its best.

Sergio Perez – 6 He also defended well, winning the last available point.

Kevin Magnussen – 5.5 The incident with Massa was not his fault, but he should be more careful.

Kimi Raikkonen – 5 He was very submissive and not really aggressive. At this time, he cannot earn a positive vote.

Formula 1 – 8 Despite Mercedes’ supremacy, they are making us relive the battles of the past. The same vote should be given to the stewards, while Charlie Whiting deserves a 5, not letting the safety car enter the circuit at 19 laps from finish and favouring, thereby, Nico Rosberg.

Formula 1 is back in the circuit that wrote the history of motorsport, on a track with a “choreography” and a sports culture that is difficult to find elsewhere. We arrive at Silverstone at a particular time of the season, with an exciting duel going on between Nico and Lewis at Mercedes’.

Rosberg will try to defend himself from a good driver that has always been strong and that can count on the support of his home crowd. We expect again a direct fight, important in the view of the World Championship, with very fast actors, such as Williams and the other cars pushed by the German PU, which will certainly not stand and watch. On the other hand, it’s a difficult moment for Ferrari and Renault, which is experiencing hard days, as we can read also in the various specialized weekly magazines. As we already mentioned in the recent weeks, problems and discussions are on the agenda and something might happen.

The extra variable can be represented, as often happens, by the weather that has historically influenced the final result. On the front of tyres, Pirelli leaves momentarily aside the Soft and Supersoft, relying on Medium and Hard that could change the values hitherto expressed. There might be a return of McLaren, which has always been at ease with Hard. In the last races they have shown signs of awakening with Magnussen, while Button is “entered in the viewfinder” and could be “sacrificed” in view of 2015.

It promises to be a hot summer on the front of riders. At Red Bull’s we have a Sebastian Vettel ready to be dumped, also because of the many young drivers who push to have a chance, such as Kvyat and Sainz J. For a company that lives on marketing, the passing of the baton it’s understandable. Vettel has given all he could give, making his team walking on clouds. We might expect movements at Mercedes’ too, where Hamilton is not happy with his situation. Moreover, we must not forget that Toto Wolf is a shareholder of Williams and manager of Bottas. Therefore, I would not wonder about a possible pair Bottas-Rosberg. The Finnish driver is proving good speed and technical characteristics. As said at McLaren’s, Honda wants a top driver alongside Magnussen. Therefore Button-Vettel-Hamilton-Bottas could really “fire” the market. We expect several “games” between motor homes.

For the Minardi Team, Silverstone is an historical circuit that evokes wonderful memories such as the 5th and 6th are scored by Martini-Sala. Thanks to that fantastic result, we were able to re-enter into the Constructors’ top ten. In those years, being in the top-six was like entering today among the top three of the ranking. An unforgettable result in the history and life of Minardi.

In a few days we’ll be in England, on the Silverstone track, which represents the history of this sport.