F1, Italian Gp – The Point

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The fast and demanding layout of the Monza’s track has stressed the only real Achilles heel of that technological jewel that Mercedes is: reliability. We have especially perceived this weakness watching the dissimilarities on the timetable.During Friday’s long run, Ferrari payed a 1-1,2”’s penalty to the Germans. Then, during Saturday’s qualifying, the time gap unbelievably descended to 3 dec.

Meanwhile we learned that Nico Rosberg had been forced to qualifying using a dated Power-Unit with 5 Gps and 4,000 km on the shoulders due to a malfunction in that super engine specially taken to Monza.
This also forced Hamilton to run in a softer mode. Despite this sword of Damocles, Vettel was constantly paying a 5”’s delay per round to the leader. Then this gap went back to over 1”in the very final when the engineers asked Lewis to push.

The mistake at the start by Kimi Raikkoner, maker of a wonderful recover, makes me think to a change in the strategy of “The Red” which had counted on the opportunity to put more pressure to the silver arrows.
This second place is certainly important both for Ferrari and fans who have celebrated Hamilton-Vettel-Massa under the podium inciting the circuit. A podium which confirms Maranello as the second force in the world championship, exactly ahead of Williams which has completed the podium with Felipe Massa in third places before his team-mate Bottas. The Brasilian has shown what he is made of.

Sergio Perez’s Force Indias have came back on top 10 looking for their validation and for the newly confirmed Niko Hulkenberg. Also the drivers of Toro Rosso have been excellent with Verstappen maker of amazing over-takings. Instead it has been a day to forget for Lotus which had been fighting in stormy waters, even if important communications about their are expected in the coming days.

But let’s talk about the “mystery” that has surrounded the race. Ater the checkered flag has been waved, rumors started about a possible penalty to Mercedes which would’t have followed tire pressure suggested by Pirelli. From this circumstance we can undestand to what the misterious communication to Hamilton in the final phases was due. Once again we are in front of a F1-caos event. For a change nothing is undestood. We talk about possible penalizations, but on what bases? FIA should demostrate that the use of a pressure lower than that suggested by Pirelli could have been Dangerous…

This week-end a lot of meeting about the post-2017 of Italian Gp at Monza have taken places. These meetings raise our hopes about a renewal even if talking about success rates is a bit premature.
Also Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has been present at the circuit in honor of the occasion.
I think we should defent this Italian stage, because it isn’t just a Lombardy Region’s event but an Italian know-how.

F1, Belgian Gp – The Point

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We watched a fascinating Belgian Gp in its 60th edition, 48 of which raced at Spa. At the same time we celebrated the 900th Ferrari’s Gp, a really important goal for the family from Maranello who has deeply contaminated the racing world and particularly F1’s world with its Dna.

After an amazing Qualifying, Hamilton gained the pole position and outstripped his mate-driver by 0”458 with a perfect lap. The Mercedes World Champion did not miss anything starting ahead and managing the race to his liking without being troubled by Rosberg who instead failed the start and was committed to regain the second place which has been occupied by an excellent Perez.
After a good start from the eight place, Vettel achieved a difficult third place thanks to a brave strategy based on just a pit-stop at the 15th lap. Unluckily this strategy has been frustrated by the bursting of the right rear tire that put him KO two laps from the end.
So an excellent Grosjean reached the third place of the podium with his Lotus making his box smile in a difficult W.E. distressed by the financial complications his Team is facing.

Surely Ferrari’s strategy has been a bit risky. I think, anyway, that Pirelli should better investigate what happened also as a result of a comparable problem spotted by Rosberg (however Pirelli underlines that Mercedes case was caused by debrises). Yet, in both events it happens to a tire not resting and surely the excellent Pirelli Technicians could tell us if it was about a technical construction problem or it was a problem of structure tiredness considering that in Vettel’s case any drop of performance ascribable to a tire compound wear wasn’t displayed. Indeed Ferrari Champion’s lap times has been stable till the moment of the burst.

Once again we have some problems at Williams’ with mistakes at the box that frustrated Bottas’s great performance in qualifying with the third time. We have to observe, anyway, that during the race both Bottas and Massa had a car which had erroneously stressed the tires. An optimistic note about this Gp comes from the two young Kvyat (4th) and Verstappen (8th) who juiced up the race with their grit and overtakings demonstrating in this way that bet on young sometimes is good.
There is not much to say about the unlucky Kimi in practice, capable for a 7th final place in spite of a start from the 15th place, but the ’55 seconds gap from the first and the lack of competitiviness of his car compared with Pérez and Massa who preceded him, didn’t permit the Finnish to celebrate in the best possible way the contract renewal for 2016.

As usual, the next fifteen days are going to be caracterized by a strong work in view of the next Gp at Monza, that is one of the historical F1’s showcase.

                                                                                                                                                                                                              

F.1 – British Gp: THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

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The race started changing the cards on the table, with the two Williams who get immediately the lead in front of Hamilton and Rosberg, authors of a bad start, as well as at Ferrari and that was able to until to keep up with Mercedes right from the first pit-stop.

With tyres changing,Lewis cleared his supremacy up, going to lead the group. With the arrival of rain in the final stages of the race, Williams missed the podium, in favor of Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari. Ferrari guessed the strategy, even if the work to do is a lot, considering the gap accused in Qualifying. A third very important place them back on the podium, but they will have to beware of Williams, which is growing steadily.

Lewis Hamilton showed on track all his British experience, guessing the exact moment to switch to Intermediate compounds, while in this race Nico was not 100% perfect. Very good Felipe Massa, author of an excellent time lap in Qualifying and of a solid race, closed in front of Bottas. Until the pit-stop, he had led the race, and then “give up” to Mercedes and to the rain, in favor of Maranello. It was positive the sixth and seventh positions of Kvyat and Hulkenberg, who led the Red Bull (orphan Ricciardo forced to retire) and Force India to the top. Force India completed the Gran Prix with the ninth position of Perez, behind the SF-15T of Kimi Raikkonen. A small point went to Fernando Alonso, who ended the British weekend of McLaren with the tenth position, after a difficult start, because of Jenson Button’s difficult retirement.

Mercedes has, once again, proved its dominance in terms of Power-Unit, with six cars in the top-ten while Ferrari will have to watch its backs by Williams’ return.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – Austrian Gp: THE POINT… by Gian Carlo Minardi

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The Austrian Grand Prix ends quickly with the new Mercedes’ double. This time, Nico Rosberg win over his teammate that closes in second position, before Felipe Massa and Sebastian Vettel.

Nico Rosberg was perfect throughout the weekend, taking the lead of the race a few meters away from the start, leaving behind Lewis and the Ferrari driver, maintaining the first position until the end. As we expected, the two Mercedes were the focus of the whole race, with Vettel trying to keep up the pace, racing constantly with interesting chronometric results, just a few tenths behind Hamilton.

The pit stops of the top-four were opened by Nico Rosberg at the 34th lap, followed by Massa, Hamilton and Vettel, who stopped to switch to the yellow-Soft compound at the 37th lap. He slipped the change of the podium because of a problem with the right rear tyre, which is repeated for the second time this year, finishing behind the former Ferrari driver. It was not a perfect stop also for the World Champion, who touched the white line getting back on track. As on Saturday in Q3, Hamilton committed some imprecisions under pression, but they were just painless mistakes, because the 5” penalty guaranteed a second place, given the good lead over Williams. Thanks to the soft tires, Rosberg also signed the fastest lap in the race, with a 1.11.235.

Sebastian Vettel, with the only Ferrari remained in the race after Raikkonen and Alonso’s crash in the early stages, tried to go for broke to close at 6 dec from Massa, ahead of Bottas, Hulkenberg, Maldonado, Verstappen, Perez and Ricciardo.

We experienced a very exciting comeback with Sergio Perez that recovered till the ninth position. Hulkenberg’s sixth placement completed the great weekend of Force India. Toro Rosso gained again important points through Max Verstappen, the author of an amazing overtaking against Kvyat’s Red Bull, which closed the race in the eighth position, with Daniel Ricciardo who gave up also to Pastor Maldonado’s Lotus in the long straights of the Ring.

This will be a grand Prix to be remembered for the record of penalties (70 positions in total) given to the drivers of McLaren, Toro Rosso and Red Bull for Power Unit’s replacement. Some of them turned into drive-through and stop&go of 10 seconds. A record that could be beaten again and let us understand the problems of Honda and Renault, making race’s results difficult to read for all fans.

Also this year the Legends Parade took place, dedicated to the 80’s turbo cars. I experienced wonderful moments of my past, reviewing some cars that have colored the 80’s with the drivers who made history, such as Lauda, Piquet, Prost, Alesi, Patrese and our Pierluigi Martini, at the wheel of the Minardi M186. Together with them, there were also the actors of motorsport history as Brenda, the Secretary of Mr. Enzo Ferrari and the “father” of BMW engines, Paul Roche. Congratulations and thank to Red Bull for making the public relive these incredible emotions.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – Canada GP – THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

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It was a truly anonymous Grand Prix , with an embarrassing supremacy (once again) of Mercedes that win another double, leaving Bottas behind – the first of others – with 40″ of lead.

After scoring a new record of resistance by completing six grand prix with the same power unit, the Germans presented themselves in Montreal with an updated unit, whose results are seen even at Williams and Force India.

Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa moved last Sunday, with two nice comebacks that led the German driver to the fifth place (behind his teammate, who started in third position) and the Brazilian, who was in sixth. Seeing this comeback, Seb was missing and he could have worried (or at least try to) the duo Hamilton-Rosberg, giving Ferrari that podium missed by Raikkonen because of a failure on exiting the pit-box – greatly angering the Team Principal, Maurizio Arrivabene. It was a Grand Prix, which has passed quickly, even when the Safety Car was a frequent spectator (on track almost always).

Perfect race for Hamilton, after starting the weekend very nervous, with different errors between Friday and Saturday. Raikkonen did not used his Ferrari 100%, while, after the critical early season, Daniil Kvyat was ahead of Daniel Ricciardo, who was not at ease. Red Bull has taken steps forward, considering the chassis, while Renault is still in difficulty, as shown by the results of Toro Rosso.

The situation at McLaren was incomprehensible. It will be difficult for the Honda staff to justify a debacle like this at the top. We see no improvements. Indeed, the reliability is worsening, as evidenced by the double retirement.

Without any doubt (and as I support since too long time) this Formula 1 should “have a face-lift”, to regain its “appeal”. Maybe something starts to move. Meetings at McLaren may have opened to interesting solutions and the same Marchionne was in talks with Ecclestone.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – Gp Monaco: THE POINT

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In Montecarlo the unknown element and the mistake are always around the corner and the last ten laps have not lived up to expectations. A Grand Prix driven by external factors, thanks to the contact of Grosjean-Verstappen and the “suicide” tactics that Mercedes has put in the hands of Nico Rosberg’s success, tearing from Lewis Hamilton, who until then had dominated the Monegasque weekend.

Beyond the undisputed supremacy of Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid, as evidenced by the advantage gained by Hamilton before the entrance of the Safety Car, the pit denied a well-deserved victory for the English because of superficiality and too much pride. A praise to Nico, also for his sportsmanship when he claimed to have been particularly fortunate in this circumstance. Certainly the “C” factor has its weight, even in races. Mercedes has completed the sixth Grand Prix with the same power-unit, synonymous with strength and competitiveness.

All others have a great work to do although I have seen a good compaction performance. Big step forward by Red Bull, McLaren-Honda and Force India. Rumours did not forget to have won four World Championships and now they are advancing. First points for Button who brought McLaren to the eighth position, racing on interesting chronometric results, as well as Sergio Perez, who finished behind Raikkonen, in seventh place. Weekend undertone for the Finn who, in my opinion, raced short of its possibilities, in addition to having made some mistakes too. He had to be in front of the RB. Commissioners’ decision was correct to not penalized Daniel Ricciardo for the contact with Kimi, but I don’t find correct the decision against Alonso, who was forced to retirement because of reliability problems. We are in Montecarlo and the essence of F1 should be also these contacts.

The results has been decided, however, thanks to Grosjean-Verstappen’s contact (the Dutch driver will pay with five penalty positions in Canada GP). The 17-year-old of TR gave us the only overtakings and was recovering in spite of the problem at the pit stop. Beyond the impetuousness, he was the author of a great weekend. Without defending him, I’d like to see Grojean’s telemetries, because I had the impression that the French have greatly anticipated the braking.

Now we go to Canada.

F.1 – Spanish GP: THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

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First European weekend marked by Mercedes, thanks to Nico Rosberg, who was the best driver on track, managing to do well in all sessions, winning the pole and gaining the final victory. Hamilton has left only the satisfaction of the fastest lap, with a 1’28″270 at the 54th passage. It is an exceptional time, which proves all the potential of hi car. He hoped to recover the 13″ that still outdistanced him from Rosberg, who was racing between 1’29 and 1’30. Mercedes closed the weekend leaving behind Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari with 45″. Last year Daniel Ricciardo (third with RB) had suffered a gap of 49″.

Ferrari was able to start in front, thanks to the German driver, trying to optimize the new aerodynamic package, still showing, however, a heavy lead as Maurizio Arrivabene himself pointed out after the race. As there was no chance to try, it was fine to diversify the cars. Despite this fact, the gap between Seb and Kimi was quite reduced. Therefore, in the coming days during collective test sessions they will try to develop and review the work done.

The forces in field have complied with Mercedes-Ferrari-Williams to lead the group. Bottas did well, keeping Kimi behind his car and just for 1” Kimi failed to overtake his compatriot. Good race also for Red Bull, author of a troubled weekend – as recently happened –, Romain Grosjean, who gained important points for Lotus and Toro Rosso thanks to the ninth position of Carlos Sainz Jr. The team of Faenza made us dream during Qualifying, monopolizing the third row with the fifth lap of the Spanish driver and the sixth of Verstappen. Correct not to penalize the Spaniard for the contact with Daniil Kvyat, because it was a normal racing incident.

Then there was also ACI Team Italia event, which started with his bearers Luca Ghiotto and Raffaele Marciello busy in GP3 and GP2 with Trident team. There was immediately a pole position and a second placement in Race 1 for Ghiotto, who greet the opening weekend with third place in standings. Marciello suffered even though he did well in winning important points for the championship in the first European event. ACI Team Italia is only the latest step in a major project that follows and promotes the Italian drivers with the aim of bringing our bearer in Formula 1.

Gian Carlo Minardi

 
 
 
 

F.1 – Bahrain GP – THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

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We have just experienced a Grand Prix that at the beginning of this year was almost unexpected, even if the forces involved are at the moment Mercedes-Ferrari-Williams with a German Power-Unit command, as shown by Vettel-Bottas battle. Sebastian proved, once again, to be among the fastest of the Circus in lap time under the wall of 1’33 in Qualifying only with Hamilton.

The first three rows of the grid reflected very well the current values on track. We are experiencing a Formula 1 where the slightest mistake is paid heavily. We saw this especially with Rosberg and Vettel. The match was played on strategies – excellent especially for Raikkonen –, on all mistakes that drivers could commit and on reliability. Mercedes in the last laps suffered of brake problems, as stated after the race by Nico himself. With one-two laps more, Kimi could attack Lewis. The Finn was extraordinary, managing masterfully both the Soft and Medium tyres. Vettel, instead, paid the two mistakes, passing from the 2nd to the 5th final placement.

Mercedes confirms itself on command, as proved by Hamilton’s third win (of four races) that takes full advantage of his potential. Behind him, however, we have Ferrari in recovery, which must continue to work trying to put pressure on the opponents. We saw some good battles, overtakings and the true potential of many cars, such as Lotus and Force India that despite the problems won important points. Engineers and technicians are making us see unthinkable things, overturning technical situations. Sportingly speaking, we feel again Red Bull missing; it had to face once again the problems of Renault. Ricciardo crossed the line with broken engine, risking to repeat what happened to Verstappen in China, who was forced to retirement just three laps from the end. It went worst for Toro Rosso, which saw its two drivers withdrawn for problems.

Besides Button’s bad impression, who was unable to start, because of problems since Friday, McLaren is making some progresses in every race. Positive race for Alonso, even if the road is still long. The work, however, begins to bear fruit.

Now we have three weeks of relaxing, waiting for the Spanish Grand Prix. As per tradition, the first European event coincides with the most important innovations, including tokens for the engines.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – China Gp: THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

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The Chinese Grand Prix highlighted the actual forces on track, with Mercedes-Ferrari-Williams. Behind them, a good battle for the fourth Constructor place with Sauber-Red Bull and Toro Rosso. A Sauber who is making the most of a good start of the season, bringing two cars in the score zone. Toro Rosso is definitely unluckily, which accused a double technical problem to its cars, with Verstappen’s withdrawal. The aim of gaining new points was shattered two laps from the end, because of Verstappen’s withdrawal due to technical problems, depriving us of a possible battle between Raikkonen and Vettel, ending the race with the safety car. Previously, also Sainz Jr. had suffered a technical problem, losing several positions, including the score zone.

Mercedes proved its strength with a new double and no strategy mistakes. Hamilton’s fastest lap just before changing the tyres is an important signal. The English driver raced with his rivals and his teammate demonstrating its force, even within the team. He managed to race as he wanted and pressing Rosberg, scoring a series of fast laps when needed.

After the victory two weeks ago, for Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel the third consecutive podium has finally arrived. The SF15-T defends better with the Soft, thanks also to the type of asphalt. With a stunning start, Raikkonen won the place at the foot of the podium, placing immediately behind the two Williams. A podium that certainly remains.

The two Sauber, Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull and Grosjean completed the Top-Ten. Ricciardo fought with tooth and nail to achieve the position and, while Grosjean gave the Lotus a very valuable seventh place.

A normal race, with some good fight in the rear with nice overtakings between Toro Rosso and Sauber. Lacking important teams, such as Red Bull and McLaren, for team of second grid scoring points will become “easier”. They have to try to take advantage from every opportunity, to increase the reward. Maybe these teams cannot find soon the competitiveness. McLaren, lap after lap, makes great progresses, although they are still very far away.

In 8 days, there will be another important race in Bahrain, where the temperature of the asphalt will be crucial. Pirelli will bring the Soft and Medium tyres and again, racing at night, the temperature will be lower. Therefore, Ferrari may reduce slightly its gap.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – Malaysian GP – THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

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INCREDIBLE! Ferrari made a big step forward compared to last season, giving us this unexpected result: an important victory, but as rightly said Maurizio Arrivabene: “Feet on the ground and drive“.

Stopwatch in hand, the SF15-T earned 8 dec on lap performance compared to 12 months ago, including improving the setup with tyres in the long run, as you had already seen since Friday. There are things that have left me puzzled, because with virtually very similar conditions (such as temperature and type of tyres), Ferrari was the only car to have actually improved, reaching the win. Last year, the fastest lap in race was marked by Hamilton in 1’43″066, while today Rosberg scored a 1’42″062 (medium) on the finish. An improvement of 1″ from Mercedes, but it didn’t highlighted in the weekend. Ferrari passed from Alonso’s best lap of 1’44.165 to Vettel’s in 1’43.782. Very positive result. The team did a good job, guessing strategies since Qualifying. It was different for Raikkonen. In Qualifying, he committed an assessment mistake, which is not as World Champion. Arrivabene, however, was direct, clear and precise, pointing out that it was driver’s mistake. This stance bodes well, keeping the team together and makes the driver feel responsible for. Even at the start, he wasn’t perfect, finishing into the group, where it’s easy to touch. And so it was.

Mercedes’ weekend was not errors free. In Q1 the choice to put on the medium tyres didn’t help in race, then forcing them to use the hard. We are only at the second race of the season and it’s too early to make predictions. The ranking gives us the current forces in the field, with two Ferrari and two Mercedes in the first four positions, followed by Williams, Toro Rosso and Red Bull. It’ weird to see the two creatures of Newey lapped. McLaren continues to miss and, despite the leap in quality compared to Melbourne, it remains well behind. Toro Rosso is keeping its promises and the two rookies – Verstappen and Sainz – don’t regret certainly more experienced drivers. At this rate, the fifth place in Constructors Championship will be within their reach. Compared to winter tests and fifteen days ago, Sauber missed.

Sepang, beyond the strategies, gave us some good overtakes, both in top positions and in the rear, with battles also inside same the team, such as at Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Williams. On a real track, Formula 1 gave us the show that we want always to see, recovering what was missed in Australia.

Gian Carlo Minardi

F.1 – Australian GP: THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

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The first Grand Prix of the season allowed us to know truth and reality. The hunt for the two Mercedes, which will once again rush, as we already know, has just started.

Ferrari was back on the podium, winning the challenge of the “numbers 2” and we had seven different cars in the top ten positions, but I would beware. Only 16 cars out of 20 started and, in addition, there were two players missing, like Red Bull-Renault and McLaren-Honda, in late considering the schedule.

The Grand Prix must be analysed with a correct interpretation, and not as an ultra. Confirmation is Mercedes, which races at crazy pace, after a stratospheric Qualifying for Hamilton benefit, while Rosberg made some mistakes in the test sessions – never worrying the teammate during the race. They have a huge advantage over the competitors. Ferrari won his challenge against the current Williams rivals. After closing Qualifying with the fourth time result behind Massa, Vettel gained the podium to Brazilian driver’s detriment. A result that will have to be won, race after race. Although Raikkonen was missing (forced to retire with a pits’ mistake, something unusual for Ferrari), the SF-15T proved to be reliable, thanks to the important development that makes them stand before Red Bull and McLaren. A podium that is certainly moral, especially considering the great changes that took place in Maranello this winter. An incentive to continue to do better.

However, reality has to be seen in comparison with numbers. Stopwatch in hand, the Circus had a very important evolutionary step, thanks to the chassis, Power-Unit and tyres, but, basically, nothing has changed in terms of the gap between Mercedes and its rivals. On Saturday, Vettel’s gap from the pole was 1″4 versus Alonso’s 1″5 in 2014. During the race, Sebastian gets the third placement, with a gap of 34″. Twelve months ago, Alonso had finished fourth at 35″. This is the harsh reality of the chronometric results. Those left behind, for the moment, are Red Bull and McLaren; according to my information, the latter would have raced without electric engine. The chassis is up to the competition, but at the moment the problems come from the Japanese Power-Unit. Red Bull is still an unknown element. Ricciardo struggled with a knife between his teeth, with a car that is not competitive and unreliable, as demonstrated by the withdrawal of Daniil Kvyat in the warm-up.

Great debut for Sauber’s Felipe Nasr, who gained immediately points with Ericcson. Last year they were missing. Well done even for Sainz Jr. who collected points with Toro Rosso, forced to fight all the Grand Prix with a damaged car right at the first corner, showing great difficulty in the final. Verstappen is less lucky, forced to retire because of technical problems when he was in the Top 10.

In short, we get to know the 2015 Formula 1 World Championship. We leave Melbourne, a street circuit with special features, to fly in a fortnight in Malaysia – permanent circuit -, which will be the real test bench for teams’ performances.

Winter Test, Barcelona – THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

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The next appointment will be in two weeks, with the first Grand Prix of the season in Melbourne. Today the fourth and final day of collective test session is ended, closing effectively the winter session.

After playing hide and seek, Mercedes gave a first taste of its true potential, beating off competitors with the best time result of Nico Rosberg (1’22″792), scored the penultimate day with Soft. What will happen with the SuperSoft? I am almost certain that this car has the potential to go down under the wall of 1’22”.

The Germans are once again on another planet. Lewis and Nico will play in a separate championship, but with an important variable. If last year we could rely on flawed reliability, this year we will not even have this excuse, considering the many kilometres run in the twelve days of test. Now, it is a matter of going to Melbourne to see who will be the second and third force. At this point, thinking about hierarchies is not easy, since we don’t know the load of fuel on board.

With a delay of 1″ we have the Williams of Massa and Bottas that closed their work with the fastest time of the day. Behind them, in a range of 2-3 dec, we find Sebastian Vettel’s and Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari. Force India impressed me a lot. Whereas the new car came to light only in the last three days, Hulkenberg and Perez were able to put together nearly 1700 km, proving that VJM08-Mercedes is well set up. Not bad also Lotus, despite a crack of Maldonado caused today by a brake problem. But yesterday, Grosjean made several long runs, as well as Sauber. They surprised thanks to the number of driven kilometres and their performance. Felipe Nasr ended the day with 159 laps more, collecting the largest number of km of the four-days (exactly 2537 km). A good signal also for the engine of Maranello.

However, we arrive in Australia with several unknown elements. Red Bull hasn’t still showed its real potential, while Toro Rosso with the young Verstappen and Sainz Jr. has collected additional 2000 km.

With yesterday (February 28th), the engines has been stopped and I have the impression that most wanted to verify the reliability, making a large number of kilometres – except for McLaren. McLaren is certainly late, but it can rely on a more than valid combination. With regard to chassis, it has very interesting solutions that take time, but will soon be able to recover the gap. Alonso’s accident could have taken more time. Just about the variable of Sunday, we are waiting for answers. There are still too many unclear points about the event. When it speaks about safety, I like I’d like to shed some light on this matter. I would hate if the fact were filed by blaming everything to Aeolus. In Romagna (Italy) there is a saying: “Rumours are taken away by the wind”.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Barcelona Winter Test – THE POINT… BY GIAN CARLO MINARDI

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The second session of collective test ended. From Jerez Formula 1 moved in Barcelona, for the second four-days of work, in preparation for the first round of World Championship scheduled for the weekend of March 15th, in Melbourne.

After missing the initial round, Force India has also added to the group, thus completing the starting grid, waiting to discover the fate of Marussia and Caterham. It is useless we try and kid. We can sit here and write words on words, but to really understand the potential of the various teams is very difficult, almost impossible.

What is clear is that:

  • cars are under stress, as evidenced by the numerous red flags of these days
  • all the components are “close” to the limit. Analyzing the data, it appears once again that the kilometers done by most teams are many
  • a great difference on time result performances has emerged between “Soft” and “Medium” (also 2″) and therefore giving feedback without knowing the programs is difficult
  • considering the time results, cars look very compact (excluding McLaren, which hardly get with difficult 600 km).

However, rumors and well-informed people speaks about problems related to consumptions problems. On this front, Mercedes remains number 1, while there are difficulties at Ferrari and Renault.

With regards to the French constructor, there is a burning market behind the scenes. The Transalpines would plan their frontline comeback, with a 100% commitment as constructor and not only as Power-Unit supplier. They dread finding without clients in 2016. In the next days, there will be of course updates with more details.

Before leaving, I’d like to wish Fernando Alonso, victim of an accident this morning, all the best and to get well soon. I wish him to get quickly at the wheel of his McLaren-Honda. The CAT scan is negative.

Gian Carlo Minardi