F1 | Gp Russia, MINARDI “Mercedes is the car to beat”

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We are on the eve of the Russian Grand Prix, the sixteenth round of the Formula 1 World Championship. We come from consecutive three wins by Ferrari that were enhanced by its first double of the season, achieved on the hostile Singapore track that brought some valuable tranquillity in the Racing Department of Maranello.

We come to a circuit that is not easy and characterized by a fast section that favours the SF90 with a very slow final section that should make Mercedes and Red Bull smile. I prefer using the conditional in light of the result on the Marina Bay Circuit.

Despite the fourth and fifth placings by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas last week, I am still convinced that the car to beat is still the Mercedes. Last year they dominated far and wide, “playing” with the rivals, but this year nothing is written yet.

The climatic conditions can make the difference since the teams will find temperatures lower than Singapore. On the tyre front, Mercedes and Ferrari have opted for different strategies with 8 sets of the Softs the world champions against the 9 for Ferrari and Verstappen. Two sets of Hards for Bottas against one for Hamilton, Vettel, Leclerc and Verstappen, with 4 Mediums for Hamilton against the three of his main rivals.

We are the end of September and there are thirty days to go to the day to end the work of defining the 2021 regulations, there is no uniformity of view from the teams. This is not minor obstacle considering that a unanimous vote is needed. I am still convinced that the definition of Constructor is to be defended to prevent the creation of clones which would lead to the creation of a huge gap between teams. It would be a major financial damage for the image of Formula 1. I have always fought for this, with Frank Williams as an ally.

One final consideration before saying goodbye. In recent days there has been much talk about the drivers’ market and Haas’ move amazed us. They talk about continuity, but sincerely this is incomprehensible in consideration of the current performance of the two drivers. I am convinced they gave everything they could. It would have been opportune to confirm one and to bring fresh air into the team. With the current situation Hulkenberg risks being left out. His name has been linked with Alfa Romeo but I am convinced that Antonio Giovinazzi deserves to be confirmed. He certainly has made some mistakes but the team too has not been exempt from Kamikaze decisions with highly questionable strategies.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Contact us

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Gian Carlo Minardi

To contact Gian Carlo Minardi and the Minardi Team write to
gcminardi@minardi.it

Minardi Management

To contact Giovanni Minardi and the Minardi Management write to
giovanni@minardi.it

GEAR

To contact GEAR write to info@gearsrl.it

Media e Ufficio Stampa

To contact Editors of minardi.it write to
media@minardi.it

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Training

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Thanks to its 21 years long experience in Formula 1 and its partnership with the best professionals in the field, Minardi Management can plan and manage the relationship between the driver and the facilities offering a professional consultation applied to psychophysical activity.
Training programs, driving simulators, and custom nutrition programs will be developed professionally, after the most meticulous physical assessment test.

Link – Fans Club

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Minardi Club Pavullo

Giacomo Tansini:
robertot@tiscalinet.it

Les Minardistes

(En Français)
www.lesminardistes.tk

Minardi Club Lauria

Giovanni Cosentino:
giovanni.cosentino@tiscali.it

Minardi Club San Francisco

(USA)
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=minardi%20club%20san%20francisco

Emmett Quigley
equigley@mac.com

Forza Minardi

(In English)
www.forzaminardi.com

Cars and drivers of Minardi’s History

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2006


Model: Lola B02/50
Drivers: Rodriguez – Caceres – Tuka Rocha – Rigon – Ippoliti – Nunes
Engine: Zytek V8
Tech. Director: Breda
Tyres: Michelin

2005


Model: PS05
Drivers: Albers – Doornbos – Friesacher – Toccacelo
Engine: Cosworth TJ2005 Series 10
Tech. Director: Tredozi
Tyres: Bridgestone

2004


Model: PS04B
Drivers: Bruni – Baumgartner
Engine: Cosworth Racing CR-3L
Tech. Director: Tredozi
Tyres: Bridgestone

2003


Model: PS03
Drivers: Verstappen – Wilson – Kiesa
Engine: Cosworth Racing CR-3
Tech. Director: Tredozi
Tyres: Bridgestone

2002


Model: PS02
Drivers: Webber – Yoong
Engine: Asiatech AT02
Tech. Director: Tredozi
Tyres: Michelin

2001


Model: PS01
Drivers: Alonso – Marques – Yoong
Engine: European V10
Tech. Director: Tredozi
Tyres: Michelin

2000


Model: M02
Drivers: Gené – Mazzacane
Engine: V10 Fondmetal
Tech. Director: Brunner
Tyres: Bridgestone

1999


Model: M01
Drivers: Badoer – Gené – Sarrazin
Engine: V10 Ford Zetec
Tech. Director: Brunner
Tyres: Bridgestone

1998


Model: M198
Drivers: Nakano – Tuero
Engine: V10 Ford Cosworth
Tech. Director: Tredozi
Tyres: Bridgestone

1997


Model: M197
Drivers: Katayama – Trulli – Marques
Engine: V8 Hart
Tech. Director: Tredozi – Gennari
Tyres: Bridgestone

1996


Model: M195/B
Drivers: Lavaggi – Fisichella – Lamy – Marques
Engine: V8 Cosworth
Tech. Director: Tredozi – Gennari
Tyres: Goodyear

1995


Model: M195
Drives: Martini – Badoer – Lamy
Engine: V8 Cosworth
Tech. Director: Costa
Tyres: Goodyear

1994


Model: M194
Drivers: Martini – Alboreto
Engine: V8 Cosworth
Tech. Director: Costa
Tyres: Goodyear

1993


Model: M193
Drivers: Fittipaldi – Barbazza – Martini – Gounon
Engine: V8 Cosworth
Tech. Director: Costa
Tyres: Goodyear

1992


Model: M192/L + M192
Drivers: Morbidelli – Fittipaldi – Zanardi
Engine: V12 Lamborghini
Tech. Director: Costa
Tyres: Goodyear

1991


Model: M191
Drivers: Martini – Morbidelli – Moreno
Engine: V12 Ferrari
Tech. Director: Costa
Tyres: Goodyear

1990


Model: M190
Drivers: Martini – Barilla – Morbidelli
Engine: V8 Cosworth Mader
Tech. Director: Costa
Tyres: Pirelli

1989


Model: M189
Drivers: Sala – Barilla – Martini
Engine: V8 Cosworth Mader
Tech. Director: Costa
Tyres: Pirelli

1988


Model: M188
Drivers: Sala – Campos – Martini
Engine: V8 Cosworth Mader 
Tech. Director: Caliri
Tyres: Goodyear

1987


Model: M186
Drivers: Nannini – Campos
Engine: V6 M. Moderni
Tech. Director: Caliri
Tyres: Goodyear

1986


Model: M185/B + M186
Drivers: De Cesaris – Nannini 
Engines: V6 M. Moderni
Tech. Director: Caliri
Tyres: Pirelli

1985


Model: M185
Drivers: Martini
Engine: V8 Cosworth – V6 M. Moderni
Tech. Director: Caliri
Tyres: Pirelli

About – Gian Carlo Minardi

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Gian Carlo Minardi

Born: 18 September 1947
Birth place: Faenza (Ravenna), Italy
Nationality: Italian
Civil State: Married with Mara, a Son Giovanni
Place of Residence: Faenza (Ravenna)
Hobbies:Football, Historical Car
Email: gcminardi@minardi.it

Gian Carlo has grown among cars: his family ran a business as Fiat dealer from 1927 to 1999. No doubt, the passion for racing was passed on to him by his father Giovanni, who built the GM75 in 1948. It was a small two-seater car, powered by a 6-cylinder and 750 hp engine, whose design was carried out together with Sir Oberdan Golfieri, the Engineer. After a short period spent as an uphill racer, a rally driver behind the wheel of a Fiat 124 and historical cars meetings attendee, the young Minardi decided to hang up his helmet to deal with a new-born racing squad named “Scuderia del Passatore”, a team from Romagna engaged in lower Formulas Championships. From 1972 to 1974 the team got good results in Formula Italia: the driver Giancarlo Martini finished 2nd in the 1972 Championship and was 1973 Championship winner.

The team was renamed “Scuderia Everest” and took part in the 1975 and 1976 Formula 2 European Championships with a BMW March. These are the racing seasons in which racers such as Martini and Leoni made their debut alongside the team. In 1975 he simultaneously started to collaborate with the Ferrari. The deep admiration and respect cherished by the Commendatore Enzo Ferrari for Gian Carlo Minardi resulted in putting a F.1 Ferrari 312/B3 available for the Scuderia Everest, to wean Italian motorsport young drivers.

In 1977 the Ferrari made the Dino V6 engines available for the team from Faenza. The F.2 Ralts first and the Chevrons then, were all equipped with those engines. Drivers: Brancatelli, Leoni, Guerra and De Angelis.

Minardi himself became a constructor in 1979, when he founded the Minardi Team. The Team ran 4 brilliant F.2 racing seasons, characterized by good results and a win scored by the driver Michele Alboreto in the 1981 European Championship in Misano.

In 1985 the Minardi Team made his debut in Formula 1. In 1991 the Ferrari announced it would have equipped the Minardi with its V12 engines. It was the first time a private team was allowed to be equipped with Ferrari engines and we don’t have to be surprised about Mr Ferrari decision, since he deeply admired Minardi.

In 1994 Minardi reached an agreement with the “Scuderia Italia”, in order to ensure the survival of his team. Two years later the team’s majority stake was bought by Gabriele Rumi and Flavio Briatore . Gian Carlo Minardi worked closely to Gabriele Rumi as the Team Managing Director until the end of the 2000 racing season.

In January 2001, the Minardi Team’s majority stake was bought by Paul Stoddart.

In 2005, after running 340 GP and being a F.1 Team for 21 years, the Team itself was assigned to the Red Bull. This is the year that marks the end of Gian Carlo Minardi’s adventure in the world of Formula 1.

He is currently an ACI-CSAI (Italian motorsport commission) advisor and a sport analyst for several newspapers and TV programs.

AYRTON DAY –The Imola circuit celebrates the brazilian champion

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On Wednesday May 1st the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit will be the stage for the Ayrton Day in memory of Senna, twenty five years after the demise of the Brazilian champion.

The day will give fans the chance to experience the commemoration in various ways thanks to an intense programme that will start at 8.00am and finish at 6.00pm with displays on the track by F1 racing cars and historic cars (starting at 11.30am), exhibitions, cars made from LEGO blocks (McLaren MP4) and guided tours of the Circuit’s facilities, as well as experiencing the thrill of virtual speed with the simulators.

Seven Formula 1 cars with which Ayrton Senna built his career will be present. We start with the 1983 Williams FW09, the racing car in which the Brazilian carried out his first F1 test up to the 1994 Williams FW16, passing through the LOTUS 97T/4 JPS and Lotus 99T/6 Camel, the McLaren MP4/5B and McLaren MP/7 and the Williams FW14 to which we also add the Honda NSX road car. In the pits there will be the Minardi M192, M194 and PS01, the Ferrari F93A, the Toro Rosso STR 03 and the Van Diemen RF83, the chassis of Roland Ratzenberger who will also be remembered on the occasion.

The Santerno Circuit will also host a photographic exhibition “Simply the best” by Angelo Orsi and Mirco Lazzari, the “Senna” portraits exhibition, the “L’uomo, il pilota, il mito” (The man, the driver, the myth) conference (10am in the Conference Room) with the members of the F1 GRAN PRIX DRIVERS CLUB (Emanuele Pirro, Howden Ganley, Patrick Tambay, Hans Herrmann, Derek Daly, David Piper, Teddy Pilette, Jo Vonlanthen, Mike Wilds, Jo Ramirez and Mario Theissen) with the relative autograph session and the presentation of the book “Senna Inedito” (The Unpublished Senna, 4.00pm in the Conference Room) by Pino Allievi, Roberto Boccafogli, Carlo Cavicchi, Giorgio Piola and Carlo Sanchez.

Open letter from Gian Carlo Minardi "Imola is synonymous with the Romagna around the world"

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As a man of sport I would have preferred not entering in person into the question tied to the Imola circuit but in recent weeks I received many requests for information from passionate enthusiasts worried about the future of the Historic Minardi Day. For this reason I want to calm all the fans by confirming that on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Circuit will host the fourth edition and to state my thoughts on what is happening.

Around the world Imola is synonymous with the Romagna region and speaking in a sporting way I consider it my second home as it was the stage of 21 Grands Prix for the Minardi Team.

The Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit is an international heritage.

The core lies in defining once and for all the meaning of the Circuit for the city of Imola. A Circuit is obviously a place where auto and motorbike races are held, both at national and international, and in the specific case of Imola we are talking of a facility with a historic image that is exceptional in the world, a point of reference for all of Motorsport, beginning with the Italian Federation.

All the circuits have high management costs, tied above all the renovation work for its safety. In order to protect the budgets, it is necessary that the facility functions for the greater part of the year, also through days of open testing that are open to all the fans. This would be easily to facilitate in the Imola Circuit because its image would attract this very type of clientele. Without forgetting that hosting national and international events brings income above all to the cause but also to the benefit of the Imola Local Council’s overall economic performance and also to the neighbouring Local Councils.

The circuit is certainly also a source of discomfort because of the sound for those who live nearby but goodwill is needed to overcome these problems. Today there are technologies and interventions that can alleviate a good part of the problem.

Despite Formula Imola having managed to relaunch activity strongly in recent years, if we do not decide to follow the road to saving the Circuit we seriously risk losing the Enzo and Dino Ferrari.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Imola to spend a weekend together under the banner of Motorsport with the fourth edition of the Historic Minardi Day.

Gian Carlo Minardi

The Bandini Trophy and the Minardi Day together on the weekend of May 5th and 6th.

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The Bandini Trophy and the Minardi Day come together for a weekend of international Motorsport which will see the two prestigious events on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May unite in a spectacular fashion, thanks to the collaboration of the heads of the two organizations: Francesco Asirelli – President of the Bandini Committee, now in the 25th edition of the annual awards in memory of the famous and much missed Ferrari driver who tragically lost his life in 1967 and Giancarlo Minardi who, together with Formula Imola, is preparing the 3rd year of Minardi Day.

The winner of the 2018 Bandini Trophy is the Finnish driver, Valtteri Bottas of the World Champion F1 Team “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport who will collect his award on Saturday 5th May in Brisighella. Alongside Valtteri Bottas the Committee, which is made up of some of the most illustrious figures of the world of Motor Sport and Journalism, has assigned a special exclusive award to the President of ACI and Vice-President of the FIA, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, whose prestigious presence perfectly combines Italian Motor Sport with the International image of the weekend’s events with great emphasis on Motor Valley.

As well as the winners Aldo Costa – F1 World Champion designer and Riccardo Mosconi – Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer, will complete the formidable presence of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, which, for the delight of fans. will bring two F1 cars; the 2013 W04 and the 2016 W07.

On Saturday afternoon the W07, the world champion car of 2016, will be driven by Valtteri Bottas from the main square in Faenza to Brisighella, where he will receive the prestigious Award, one of the most coveted on the circuit.
Mercedes, the protagonist of the 2015 edition, with Team Principal Toto Wolff , the much celebrated and honoured winner in 2015, will be in the spotlight for the entire weekend first in the charming Medieval Romagnolo village of Brisighella and then at the Minardi Day at Imola with the 2013 W04 that will be driven by its designer Aldo Costa (formerly of the Mindardi Team). Valtteri Bottas will also stop at the pits to sign autorgraphs prior to going to Faenza.

It promises to be a breathtaking and intense weekend which will bring together the distinguished 25th edition of the Bandini Awards, and the 3rd annual Minardi Day – major events for true Motorsport fans.

The Bandini Trophy awards ceremony will come alive at 3,00pm on Saturday 5th May with an impressive parade of cars and breathtaking exhibits before the arrival of the F1 W07 car in Brisighella and will conclude at 6.00pm with the Closing Ceremony in the spectacular Amphitheatre of the spectacular medieval hamlet.

Paolo Stanzani and Mario Poltronieri have passed away. Minardi "I lost two friends"

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It is a sad day. I do not know what to say. In a single day I lose two great friends, Paul Scanzani and Mario Poltronieri. Stanzani was one of my partners in F1 when the Scuderia Italia joined the Minardi team. Together, we shared many decisions. We met again in Imola during the Historic Minardi Day and exchanged greetings at Christmas. I especially embrace his daughter Chiara.

I am forced to also greet Mario Poltronieri, a RAI historical journalist and a great driver in the 60s and 70s with Abarth. We shared living rooms as pundits to remember our past, telling the present.

It is a sad day for our country that loses two historical characters related to the world of Motorsport.

 

Gian Carlo Minardi receives the prize "Una vita per lo sport"

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In the set of Piazza del Popolo in Faenza,  Saturday 10th September, Gian Carlo Minardi received the Panathlon Club Faenza prize entitled “Una vita per lo sport”, a  prize created in 1990 dedicated to those citizens from Faenza who have distinguished themselves in sport.

“It is the second prize that I receive from the city of Faenza. I received the first one, “Faentino sotto la torre”, in 1987, after my entrance into Formula 1 World Championship with the Minardi team. These are the most important prizes that the municipal administration of Faenza gives to its citizens, and I am proud of both of them”, Gian Carlo Minardi says.

A recognition that does not come just for the results achieved in 21 F1 seasons. “I was chairman of the greco-Roman wrestling club and currently I am still  chairman of the Faenza Calcio”, the manager from Faenza continues.

“It was a great pleasure to receive the prize from Mauro Benericetti, chairman of the Panathlon Club Faenza and from Lieutenant Colonel Giuseppe Minissale, chairman of the agonistic department of the Army Sports Centre. It happened in the presence of its Olympic athletes:  Odette Giuffrida (silver medal in judo, in recent  Brazilian Olympic Games) Brazil Fabio Parisi (greco-Roman wrestling), John Sarchioto (boxing), Raffaele Di Serio (boxing), Licia Martignani (Taekwondo), Lara Mori and Erika Fasana (artistic gymnastics). As President of the Commission speed ACI Sport, I am working together with Lieutenant Colonel Minissale to activate a collaboration with the center“.

During the weekend of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Lieutenant Colonel Giuseppe Minissale, along with the medalists Basile and Chamizo, guided by Gian carlo Minardi, have touched the environment of Formula 1.

Bandini Trophy. Minardi "Verstappen is mature and enjoyable"

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Max Verstappen received the Bandini Trophy in Brisighella. The prize, dedicated to the Ferrari driver from Romagna passed away for a car accident in 1967, since 1992 has rewarded emerging drivers. This year, the promoters wanted to award the talent of the very young Red Bull driver, winner in the Spanish GP. Thanks to that seal, with his debut at the wheel of the Red Bull Racing after a promotion from Toro Rosso, Max became the youngest driver to win a F1 GP at the age of 18 years, 7 months and 15 days.

“Max Verstappen is very pleasant and mature in his answers. We must applaud the committee that once again identified and rewarded a driver with a major F1 career in front of him. It was a wonderful evening with a great feedback from the public. A prize that has been growing for 20 years, attracting a lot of authorities and important people in the small municipality of Brisighella. There was a beautiful exhibition with ten Toro Rosso, the Porsche that won at Le Mans and two Lamborghini to remember the centenary of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s birth”, Gian Carlo Minardi says.

The Bandini Trophy to Max Verstappen

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It is Max Verstappen the winner of the 23th edition of the Bandini Trophy. The award ceremony, that takes places as usual in Brisighella on Sunday June 17, will crown the young Red Bull driver, the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix in his eighteens in Barcelona. After last season focused on the win of Mercedes as Constructors’ World champion, the event focuses again on the drivers who have been in a great shape. Verstappen inherits a prize that in the last years went to drivers like Schumacher, Raikkonen, Alonso, Vettel, and Hamilton, great champions who with their brilliant career then have testified the foresight of the prize organizers capable of discovering and giving value to talents as nobody else in this field. “After last season with witch we celebrated the win accomplished by Mercedes 50 years later its last victory, this year we are back to our origins, rewarding an emerging driver that in a few time has gained notoriety. Last year, at seventeen years, he debuted in a F1 world championship. This year he was confirmed with flying colors trough a flash promotion into Red Bull, a promotion that he repaid with his win in Spain and two second places”, says Gian Carlo Minardi, who has been part of the Honor Committee for 23 years.“His win in Spain proves that the choice was right also because his promotion into Red Bull Racing came before his win. Verstappen has shown a certain improvement and maturation after each appointment”.

Verstappen is a model to follow for the drivers and for the stables

“It is a good signal for all the young, but also for the stables” the manager from Faenza continues and stresses the importance of giving an opportunity to young drivers. “Max was good at exploiting all the opportunities, from his debut into Toro Rosso up to his passage into Red Bull baptized with a win. There are other drivers that would deserve an opportunity, and it would be an incentive both for the teams and official drivers”. The arrival of the Dutch driver put some pressure on Ricciardo, creating a healthy and productive competition within the team, a competition that urges them to do always their best. “The project for the youth of Red Bull offered us a lot of satisfactions, but burned some drivers. They have an important economic power that allows them to have a turnover, moreover they can count on a Junior-Team”.

 Fuoco, Ghiotto, Marciello, and Giovinazzi

 Our mind flies fast to our standard-bearers Antonio Fuoco, Luca Ghiotto, Raffaele Marciello and Anthonio Giovinazzi, who are doing well in their respective GP3 and GP2 Series championships. At Silverstone, it was the turn of Antonio Fuoco for sounding the notes of the hymn of Mameli while in Baku Giovinazzi brought the tricolor onto the summit winning twice. “As a Federation, we are very pleased with the results, because these guys were selectioned and followed through internships. At Silverstone Fuoco he won his first GP3 race, while Giovinazzi and Ghiotto have occupied important positions in Gp2. Now, the resources of ACI Team Italia are limited and we cannot afford any mistakes. However, having the support of our Federation may open to new opportunities. At the moment, we lack a reference team with which boys can do their debut, making the most of our work”.

Ferrari Driver Academy

During the collective tests at Silverstone, Charles Leclerc, GP3 leader and FDA driver debuted with Ferrari SF-H16. “Massimo Rivola is doing a great job as a coordinator and Sporting Director of this reality dedicated to the youth that wants to re-launch itself after missed results. Unfortunately, Jules Bianchi, FDA reference driver, passed away. Despite his young age, the Monegasque is fighting for the GP3 title along with Fuoco, and during testing on the English track he alternated himself with Kimi Raikkonen at the wheel, after impressing the Haas team in free practice”.