Reliability and Consumption, the two key words for the 2014 season

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The beginning of the new year represents a hot spot for Formula 1. Some squads will disclose their new cars (in a virtual way at least) over the next few weeks, before the first testing session, scheduled for January 28th on the track of Jerez, takes place. We still don’t know how many teams will take part in the Spanish event. What is certain is that LOTUS team won’t be present at Jerez. That is probably due to financial or strategic reasons, as the English team was “robbed” by its technical crew. We don’t have to forget that the team originated from the Toleman Team and has always managed to re-emerge and survive several corporate changes.

A new chapter is about to start and all teams have to face several issues; delay can be felt. Some teams have received a “draft” of the engine – based on which the bodywork and the plant design will be built – just a few days before Christmas. So Ferrari and Mercedes could have an edge versus other teams because of that.

It will be hard to understand the 2014 racing season and the key words will be Reliability and Consumption. The important thing this year is to have not only the most performing car, but also the most reliable one, with reduced gas consumption. After 8 years of unchanged regulations, this year everything will start again from scratch. New energy recovery strategies will be found and research will make huge steps forward. It will be so important to close partnership agreements with suppliers in order to assembly all car parts the best way.

Pre-season testing will play a more important role this year, if compared to last seasons. I’m almost sure teams will hide themselves much less, so I can’t wait to see the first laps.

Whereas in the past seasons to have the best drivers pair was an added value, in the 2014 season to rely on Champions the likes of Alonso, Vettel, Rosberg and Hamilton couldn’t be enough. This year, to win will probably mean to cross the line first, instead of being the fastest on track…….

Gian Carlo Minardi “Things don’t go well at all”

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Double points, new penalties, pole Trophy…Is this really the right way to make the F.1 Championship more engaging? It looks like some innovations have to be necessarily introduced to make the Championship more and more attractive, but I don’t think the result achieved will be as good as expected. In my opinion, what is necessary to do is to introduce more understandable regulations, rather than making use of those stopgap measures. A marketing strategy should be carried out to attract race enthusiasts, instead of shutting oneself up in one’s own motorhome, which is locked down more than a fortress.

It would be nice that enthusiasts could live the paddock’s atmosphere and see with their own eyes the race week end, have an autograph signed by their idol and a picture taken with him. I’ve got the feeling that many people cannot even recognize drivers, instead (apart from those who got onto the podium).

I think that the rule according to which drivers will be awarded double points at the last race, it’s simply ridiculous. A driver runs the risk to see all his work being ruined by only one race. It’s the same for third-tier teams. Marussia got the tenth place in the constructors’ championship, thanks to a 13th-place-finish (the team’s best result), one position ahead of the Caterham team. It’s a –one-position-gap which is worth at least 10 million dollars. The Russian-English team fought tooth and nail throughout the season. Next year, it could take only one race week end to ruin all the work done. This could be done more by the luck of rivals, than by their skills…..

In these days FIA has announced it wants to add a new team to the list of the teams which have been taking part in the World Championship for years. Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi have already declined the invitation, as they’ve been already engaged in some covered-wheel-Championships such as Le Mans and other World Championships. The causes of that can be many: car companies consider endurance competitions as a better way to promote their image and devolve technology to standard cars. Another reason is that nowadays it’s so difficult for car companies to partner with a chassis manufacturer who can ensure good results in F.1. At the beginning of the year Porsche was very close to close an agreement with Red Bull, but, due to some reasons, the agreement was never closed. The point is that next year the Le Mans competition will be very interesting, as important car companies the likes of Toyota, Audi and Porsche will take part in that. They’ll show us a breathtaking challenge. The participation of those big companies will make those Championships more and more interesting. Ferrari, through President Montezemolo’s statement, announced to be interested in those Championships. After all, a constructor such as Ferrari, who won the GT2 World Championship, cannot ignore these scenes.

The Minardi Management and Alberto Tonti join forces to launch future champions

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The Minardi Management and Giovanni Minardi are glad to announce the beginning of a new professional cooperation with Alberto Tonti to carry out an ambitious project: find and follow the future motorsport Champions, starting from the first step of the car racing pyramid, i.e. kart racing.

After launching very talented drivers the likes of Pastor Maldonado (first F.1 test), Gabriele Lancieri, Davide Rigon, Matteo Bobbi and the two brothers Andrea and Giacomo Piccini onto the most important stages of International motorsport, the Faenza-born manager Giovanni Minardi consolidates his society’s structure by joining forces with Tonti’s scouting.

Minardi and Tonti join forces to become a benchmark for all the drivers and their families who want to get into the world of motorsport.

“I’m really glad Alberto accepted my invitation to join his forces with the Minardi Management. He’s a very skilled person I hold in high regard and he has a long-standing experience in the world of kart racing. Alberto will bring precious added value to the society thanks to his deep knowledge of a world which represents the first step for future champions. So far, I’ve had the chance to work with drivers who had already joined Formula cars championships such as Maldonado, Rigon, Lancieri, Zampieri, Vicky Piria and many more. Thanks to this project the Minardi Management will have the chance to watch closely youngsters, teach them the basics of car racing and support them to face the difficulties that a motorsport career will present them year after year”, says the manager Giovanni Minardi.

Alberto Tonti’s career in the world of motorsport started in 2003, the year he founded the Fly Kart team who took part in National and International competitions with a Tony Kart chassis. In 2011 he won the European KZ1-KZ2 Championship and he was awarded the World Cup KZ1’s vice-champion title the following year. In 2012 he joined the Management of Birel Motorsport, where he is in charge of dealing with drivers, media and sponsors.

“I’m honored to join forces with a big name in motorsport such as Minardi. It’s a big step forward for my career in the world of car racing”, says Alberto Tonti “I entered this world starting from kart racing, which is the first step. Making my experience available to young drivers and support them to move ahead with their career and enter Formula competitions, it’s a wish come true. Since some preparatory championships such as Formula 4 have been established, it’s getting more and more important to help drivers and families find the best solutions. I’m sure that, together with Giovanni Minardi and his Minardi Management, we’ll be a great team who will be the source of Italian and foreign young champions among whom there will probably be some promising lady drivers”, ends Tonti.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Sutil joins Sauber for the 2014 F.1 season

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After being replaced by Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez in the Force India Team, Adrian Sutil joins Sauber for the 2014 F.1 World Championship.

The German driver joins the Hinwil-based team after being a Force India’s driver for 6 seasons: “I’m really happy to race alongside Sauber team. Transaction spun out more than expected, but Sauber has always been my first choice. I was a Force India’s driver for 6 seasons, so it was time to take on a new challenge. It’s a team with a long-standing experience in F.1. The factory is really amazing and the wind tunnel is one of the most state-of-the-art facilities in the field. I want to say thank you to Peter Sauber and Monisha Kalternborn for giving me this great opportunity”, says the Sauber team’s new driver Adrian Sutil.

“The new season is taking shape and each piece of the puzzle is taking its place. I’m very pleased with the agreement between Sutil and Sauber, as it means that the team is quickly solving all its problems. He’s a good driver, with a 6-year-long-experience in F.1. Peter Sauber will surely take advantage of the driver’s long-standing experience. Now, we’re waiting to see who’s going to be his team mate”, says Gian Carlo Minardi.

Now, all we can do is to see who is going to partner the German driver. Sergey Sirotkin is the favorite one to partner the German driver, but he hasn’t got the Superlicence yet.

Perez joins Force India and partners Nico Hulkenberg

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Nico Hulkenberg has his team mate. It’s the Mexican driver Sergio Perez, who, after racing alongside Sauber and McLaren, has joined Force India to partner Nico Hulkenberg.

It’s an all-new driver pairing for the Vijay Mallya-owned team, who gets ready to run a 2014 season which is full of unknown items– because of the several technical changes which have been introduced – .  The new pairing is made up of two young drivers who stood out over the last few F1 seasons. Both Nico Hulkenberg (born in 1987) and Sergio Perez (born in 1990) drove an interesting second half of the season. The ex-Sauber German driver led his team up to the 7th place (one position behind his new team) and the Mexican got the better of his World Champion team mate Jenson Button many times, finishing 11th in the drivers’ championship.

“In view of the new technical changes, Force India wanted to change its driver line-up and rely on two young drivers such as Nico and Sergio. If the team’ s performances are as good as they were in the last few seasons, the team can strive for getting a good position in the constructors’ championship, thanks also to the Mercedes’ engine”, says Gian Carlo Minardi.

“I’m really happy with this announcement. Force India has always been my first choice. I want to say thank you to Vijay and to all the team for giving me this opportunity. It’ a young and very determined team who has built competitive cars. Due to regulations changes, many things will change next season, but I have a good feeling about 2014. I’ll soon go to the factory to meet the staff”, says Sergio Perez.

Gian Carlo Minardi in Madrid as Fernando Alonso's guest

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On the occasion of the “Fernando Alonso Collection”, which was inaugurated on Monday at the Madrid-based Centro de Exposiciones Arte Canal, Gian Carlo Minardi was a Spanish Champion’s guest and had the chance to re-experience the beginning of the Spaniard’s bright career into F.1, which was promoted by the Faenza-born manager and his team in 2001.

It’s an amazing exhibition where all the cars, trophies and memorabilia concerning the Spanish driver’s career, are put on display and visitors have also the opportunity to take an “interactive trip” into Fernando’s story. The exhibition is divided into 6 thematic areas: the first one is called “o km” and it’s the area dedicated to Alonso’s first steps into the world of motorsport; the second area is called “la collecciớn” and it’s the area where all the single-seaters Fernando has driven to take part not only in the F.1 Championship but also in lower Formula Championships, are put on display; the third section is named “Circuito Alo”, here visitors can take an “interactive trip” through Fernando’s motorsport career and private life; another section is called “Start your engines!”. Visitors can have an audio-visual experience relating F.1 and can share the passion the Asturias-born driver has for this sport; “Formula 1 Experiences”, where all secrets about the technological innovations which mark the top series can be discovered; “275.000 km de emociớn”, it’s a video where the Ferrari’s driver goes back over his career. The Exhibition, which was organized by the Fernando Alonso Foundation in cooperation with the Canal de Isabel II Gestiớn, is only the embryo of what will be the Fernando Alonso Museum, to be established in Oviedo.

“It’s a beautiful exhibition and an amazing collection. Fernando parents’ idea to collect all their son’s sport equipment was great. There you can find his first go-karts, racesuits, gloves and trophies. Even the 2001 Minardi car is put on display, along with the racesuit Fernando wore in his debut year into F.1. All that brought pleasant memories to my mind. I want to extend my congratulations to everybody for arranging such an amazing exhibition. It was also a good opportunity to see some friends like Flavio and Stefano, again”, says Gian Carlo Minardi.

On the exhibition’s opening day, Fernando wanted not only his family and friends next to him; he also invited all the team principals he dealt with throughout his career into F.1: Gian Carlo Minardi, Flavio Briatore, Martin Withmarsh and Stefano Domenicali.

Hulkenberg – Force India…sometimes they get back

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Force India has announced that Nico Hulkenberg has signed an agreement with it for the 2014 season, but it is rumored that the German driver has signed a contract also for the following years.  “Hulk” will race alongside the Vijey Mallya-owned team again, after joining it in 2011 and 2012 as a test driver first and as an official driver after.

It was a 2013 season rich in satisfaction both for Force India and for Nico. The Sauber team’s ex-driver scored 51 points during the second half of the Championship, after an unhappy first half of the season. He managed to finish 10th. Force India has hoped to get the better of McLaren until the end and took the seventh place on 77 points, ahead of Sauber and Toro Rosso, its main driver.

Hulkenberg represents another piece to complete the 2014 F.1 season’s puzzle, after Felipe Massa moved to Williams to replace the neo-Lotus driver Pastor Maldonado. Daniel Ricciardo will replace Webber at Red Bull and he will race alongside the 4-time-World-Champion Sebastian Vettel and Kevin Magnussen will make his debut into F.1 alongside the McLaren team, having Jenson Button as his team mate. The Danish driver will replace a still-not-hired Sergio Perez. The Mexican driver could partner with Hulkenberg at Force India.

Maldonado to join Lotus F1 Team alongside Grosjean

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Some teams have already taken their decision about the 2014 season’s line-up, just like Lotus. After leaving Williams, alongside which he drove a “grim”2013 season, Pastor Maldonado, who took a win in Spain in 2012, joins the Enstone-based team alongside an already-confirmed Romain Grosjean.

Grosjean’s second part of the 2013 season was very intense and rich in results, as he finished 7th on 132 points, behind Nico Rosberg: “I’m very happy to have been reconfirmed and have the opportunity to continue to drive for Lotus F1 Team. The 2013 season was rich in satisfaction for me. We’ve worked a lot together and I know everyone has fought hard to try to score points, nothing was left to chance. I can’t wait to drive the new car and go to Australia for the first race.”

The Venezuelan driver was a much sought-after driver by many teams, especially for the great financial support he is able to bring to a team. After the negotiation with Quantum failed, Eric Bouiller has probably thought about signing the talented Venezuelan driver (who can ensure a great financial support) to partner with a matured Grosjean. “It’s a great opportunity for me. It’s not a secret that I wanted to change to make some progressions in my F.1 career. Lotus F1 Team is the best opportunity for me, for sure. Next season regulations and cars will change a lot, so this is the right moment to start a new adventure. I just can’t wait to start.”

Now, only Force India and Sauber’s seats are still unassigned and Hulkenberg, Di Resta and Perez haven’t signed a contract yet.

Drivers’ market…how many unknown things!

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On Sunday the curtain was brought down over the F.1 World Championship, so drivers and teams are thinking about the 2014 season. A lot of work is being done not only inside factories to set cars for the next season but also inside meeting rooms, where people are discussing how to complete the grid’s puzzle, but there are still too many missed pieces to complete it.

Hulkenberg, Maldonado, Perez, Grosjean, Di Resta are only some of the drivers that haven’t signed any contract yet and Lotus, Sauber, Force India are the most important second-tier teams to still have free positions. That is an uncommon thing for the modern Formula 1. Normally, small teams got left behind. Lotus and Sauber are still longing for a financial support to come from Russia and Arabic countries.

The main cause to that, it has to be found in the difficult financial situation the whole world is undergoing now and also in the rise of costs all teams will have to deal with next season: “The regulations changes will cause a rise in costs that is still hard to evaluate, since next season will be rich in unexpected things”, says Gian Carlo Minardi “ It is really difficult to anticipate costs arising from the introduction of the turbo engine, as there are many unexpected things we still don’t know about. I know something about that, as, when I joined F.1 in 1985, the turbo engine was at its apex. Some teams have troubles even before starting using the turbo engine, never mind late in the racing season.” The Renault engine’s failure on Grosjean’s car in Brazil could sound like an alarm bell for next season, during which only 5 engine units per driver will be available, “If with 8 super tested engine units available, teams had some problems, I cannot imagine what will happen next year. These failures have a rise in costs and relegation as a consequence.”

A good mix between technical and economic values is one of the leading reasons which drive teams to choose a driver. “It won’t be easy to foresee the next steps, as many parameters have to be taken into consideration. The main reason which leads the team to choose a driver instead of another is the amount of money he can bring to the team. Maldonado and Perez, two drivers who could rely on great financial support, are now on the market. We’ll see if they will enjoy that support even in the future. For example Maldonado, who is supposed to be very close to Lotus, said that the PDVSA could probably leave the circus. Perez, who was relieved by McLaren despite he overshadowed Button many times, won’t probably enjoy that support any more, otherwise it would be difficult for me to understand the Woking-based team’s decision. Nico Hulkenberg’s situation is different: he finished in the points many times, so he really earned his salary. The German driver represents an example of a good investment whose return is paid off by a good position in the constructors championship. Sauber’s seventh place is entirely thanks to him; thanks to that position, the Swiss team earned quite a great amount of money coming from TV rights. So, it is important to choose a driver who can score points and a driver who can ensure a good financial coverage.”

The 2014 season will be the season of engine “revolution” “Marussia will be equipped with Ferrari engine, thanks to which the team will make some steps forward. So, new drivers are probably expected to join the team. Bianchi will be reconfirmed, for sure, but we don’t have to forget that Chilton, who can enjoy a great financial support, can probably get the ball rolling. Someone can even risk to be left out. Perez pointed out that he doesn’t want to be a bit player”, ends the manager from Faenza.

A red-hot winter is expected.

Brazilian GP – Drivers’ Scorecard

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The Brazilian GP marked the end of the 2013 F.1 season.

Sebastian Vettel 9.5 – No doubt he deserves a good mark, as he and Red Bull were always the most performing on track, come rain or shine. Once again they did what they wanted. They were a “war machine”, as they took 9 consecutive wins. They were unbeatable.

 Mark Webber 9 – He deserves this mark because he finished second on Sunday (thanks to his second place he took the third place in the championship) and also because he’s a true gentleman. He was “stolen” a title he had already won and he had to race as a “second driver”; he never complained. All Red Bull’s problems occurred on his car.
Fernando Alonso 9 – He proved himself to be the number one. He led his Ferrari onto the podium again, despite the race was dominated by Red Bull.

Jenson Button and Sergio Perez 7 – Thanks to them McLaren flourished again. The English team laid around in the races. Button’s fourth place was unexpected, just like the Mexican’s sixth place, as, if he hadn’t changed the gearbox, he could have finished ahead his team mate, who was reconfirmed.

Nico Rosberg 7 – Good race. He was very aggressive as compared to the previous races. He fought tooth and nail to defend his position.

Felipe Massa 9 – He was “stolen” a podium, because Fernando would have let him pass and finish his adventure alongside the Italian team, on the podium, in front of his supporters.

Nico Hulkenberg 7 – Once again he scored points for the team. His contribution to save Sauber’s season was decisive. Thanks to the points he scored he brought certain advantages to the team. This is a clear proof of how important it is for a second-tier team to have an experienced driver whose salary is paid off with results.

Lewis Hamilton 6.5 – Even if I think that he was imposed an over-the-top penalty (it’s a consequence of a penalty imposed on Massa with the sole purpose to balance the forces), a world champion shouldn’t create certain situations; he could have used another way to overtake Bottas. The Finn, however, had enough room to avoid the collision, like it is required by regulations.

Daniel Ricciardo 7 – Both him and his team mate kept a good pace in the wet in Q3. In the dry, they weren’t as performing as they were before; anyway he scored the last point of the season for Toro Rosso.

FIA 0 –  This mark is due to the Federation’s disorganization. I think it’s time to rejuvenate the board and establish a unique commission to judge drivers. That is to ensure judgment’s uniformity.

GP USA – Preview

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Among the new generation’s circuit, the Austin raceway is the most interesting one from a technical point of view. Temperatures are expected to be lower than usual, so Pirelli’s choice to bring hard and medium tires to the USA, could cause some problems to some teams, Ferrari included. Some constructors are challenging each other to get the title, just like the Maranello-based Scuderia, which wants to close the gap with Mercedes and Lotus will try to go over the Italian squad’s head. Kimi’s abandon before the end of the Championship – I do agree with his choice to undertake surgery for not jeopardizing next season – and, above all, Lotus’s choice could make it difficult for the English team to get the third place.

The struggle between McLaren and Force India to get the fifth place is also remarkable. Everything seemed to be said and done until some race ago, however, Di Resta and Sutil’s performances over the last few GP made the team score 15 points. Now the point-gap with its main rival is only 18 points, so everything can still happen. The change Perez-Magnussen could break up the team’s calm and work to the advantage of the squad owned by Vijay Mallya.

The Austin race week end will be very important also for the unrest which rings around the drivers market not only for what concerning next season, but also for the 2015 season. It’s a long time since the market was so dynamic and we can say that it’s a kind of crazy. But, let’s do things in an orderly fashion:

– After seeing how the land lies about Maldonado, Hulkenberg and Schumacher, Lotus relied on Kovalainen, leaving “empty-handed” its third driver Valsecchi. The team’s choice has to make everyone think, especially those guys who are all set to sign a contract as a third driver, without having any guarantee. The Lotus management has preferred to rely on an experienced driver, even if he hasn’t raced for some time, rather than relying on a young driver who has worked with the team for one season and has demonstrated to be able to be very performing. I think that the blame has to be placed on regulations. I find regulations really stupid, as they don’t allow young drivers to show their skills and gain experience. I don’t agree with this choice and I’m so disappointed with that.

– Magnussen will join McLaren. The Danish driver will replace Perez. The Mexican has been criticized many times, even if he has demonstrated to be a skilled driver and, in some cases, to be even more performing than Jenson Button. I think that the team’s choice has to be interpreted as a strategy for the 2015 season (cooperation with Honda), rather than as Perez’s rejection.

At this point, many negotiations will be driven behind the scenes. There are two drivers such as Perez and Maldonado who are “unemployed”, despite they can rely on a millionaire support. Pastor is aiming at becoming a Lotus driver, while Perez could wink at Force India or Sauber, to the “Hulk” detriment. The German driver can remain at Sauber thanks to Ferrari’s support.

Two very important GP are yet to be raced to complete the 2014 season’s puzzle.

Abu Dhabi GP – Preview

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Seven days after Sebastian Vettel’s won his 4th world title, the F.1 paddock is ready to move to the Middle East for the last but three events to take place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

At Yas Marina teams will fight to get the second place in the drivers and constructors championship and they are all ready to score the points that are still up for grabs in order to preserve their position or aspire to new adventures into F.1. I expect Red Bull to do its best for not giving anything to rivals. The true challenge will take place behind them. Considering the track high temperatures and hot weather, the Pirelli tyres will play a key role again.

I get the feeling next racing week end will be mainly played out “off-stage” because of the many questions about the 2014 F.1 season that are still unanswered. There are still some free seats to be assigned: Lotus, for example, is looking for a driver to replace Raikkonen, being careful with money and technical skills. Williams’ Maldonado is determined to quit the English team to join the Eric Bouiller’s camp. Should the Grove-based team find an interesting economic agreement, it can sign Felipe Massa. Another aspect which is not of a minor importance compared to any other is the one concerning the maximum number of engines which can be used by each team throughout next season (5 engines per driver). Considering the large number of technical upgrades introduced by FIA (turbo-powered engine 1.6 with limited rpm, limited gas consumption, new energy recovery systems such as the MGU-K and MGU-H) and the lack of time to make on-track test, I think 5 engine units per season are not enough. It won’t be easy to find the right reliability and balance at the beginning. The great thing about that is that this technology can be applied to standard cars.

The 2014 season will be very demanding from a technical point of view, but I’m sure that engineers and technicians will be able to find a solution to that, as usual. Technical changes will involve a huge financial outlay for all teams and small teams will rely on great manufacturers’ technology. Historically speaking, regulations amendments has always changed the balance of the deployed forces. Red Bull seems to be out of reach and I think the Austrian team will be like that also in the future, but we will probably see some other team growing.

Indian GP – Drivers’ Scorecard

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Sebastian Vettel 9 – The 26-year-old driver won the fourth world title. He will make the history of F.1 Championship. He did what he wanted to, as usual. I appreciated his burnout in front of the audience (I would have never fined him) and I also appreciated the moment when he got down on his knees and kissed the car. Through that action, he made us understand how grateful to Red Bull he is.

Nico Rosberg 8 – He’s fighting hard to try to get the better over Ferrari for the second place.

Romain Grosjean 9+ – He deserves to be better graded than any other driver, as he showed to be stronger than his pitwall staff, who made several mistakes. Started from the 17th place, he managed to jump up to 3rd and drove an excellent race.

Kimi Raikkonen 8 – He took a particular choice. His teammate was better than him at handling tyres. His masterpiece was ruined by a last-moment- pit stop. Satisfaction comes from the fact he set the fastest lap. Congrats to Lotus, as well. The English team is fighting tooth and nail.  The team could act as a judge for the second and third place in the constructors’ championship.

Felipe Massa 8 – Competing as a “separated” at home it’s not easy at all. He wants to leave a good memory of himself, for sure and he wants to secure a future in the F.1 Championship. His fourth place is a good omen to try to close the point-gap with Mercedes.

Fernando Alonso 6 – “You can’t touch pitch without being defiled”. He took a very unlucky start, even if this time he was less concentrated than he was in many other occasions. According to times sequence, he could have fought against Rosberg to get a second place finish, but he was very nervous.

Sergio Perez 7+ – He handled his car in such a good way and he has improved time after time. He was strongly criticized throughout the Championship’s first part, now he’s upstaging Jenson Button. McLaren is getting ready for the 2015 racing season.

Lewis Hamilton 7 – He’s having quite a hard time. He doesn’t manage to get the most of his car, unlike his teammate. He held the reins of the team, but now he’s upstaged by Rosberg.

Force India 6 – The “homely atmosphere” was good for the team. After an unlucky period, the team finished in the points again with both its drivers. The week end was good for the Indian team which has almost secured the sixth place.

Toro Rosso 6 – One point is not enough, especially if we consider that the team’s immediate rival Sauber didn’t finish in the points. Even if three races are yet to be run, I don’t think they’ll be able to close the gap. As a Faenza-born person I hope they’ll have a good end to the season.