Archive for category: The Point by Gian Carlo Minardi

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.

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 15^th, 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

Also this season is ended quickly, consisting of fascinating Grand Prix, even though almost all branded Mercedes. It’s a pity that this final deprived us of Nico Rosberg, who was slowed by a problem of his car. It wold have been amazing to see them fighting till the end. I have to congratulate him both for his nice gesture against Lewis in the race over, and for wanting to stop at all costs the Grand Prix.

It’s been a championship in growing, despite technical concerns at the beginning. The times have lower quickly until approaching the various records, just like Rosberg’s Qualifying time scored yesterday, which was really close to Vettel’s track record – 2009.

It’s been a season with so many variables: Williams, after a difficult 2013, has become the third force in the world, closing the season with a double podium. It revived Felipe Massa and formed one of the most promising young driver, Bottas. Talking about chassis, Red Bull has shown that have a competitive car, despite too many smarts. Developing as Power-unit, it would certainly have something to say. Ferrari, among many difficulties, has confirmed as the fourth / fifth force of world championship. Fernando said good-bye to the team showing things that only a champion can do, like the overtaking on Kimi and the fast change of strategies, entering first for pit-stop. Button has digested perfectly his last GP. Alongside Ferando, in fact, there’ll be Kevin Magnussen. Therefore, from Tuesday, the new McLaren-Honda era will start.

A season that ends with so many changes, both for drivers and for technical aspect. Vettel instead of Alonso in Ferrari. Alonso instead of Button in McLaren (missing only the announcement). Kvyat instead of Vettel in Red Bull. The Russian has been unlucky in some circumstances, but from the beginning he has imposed very well. He will be alongside to Ricciardo that even today has proven to be a first lead. In Toro Rosso, instead arrives the young Max Verstappen. To decide who will be his partner. For tests, the team from Faenza called Carlos Sainz jr. At this point, I would say that for Vergne the doors close, although he was the author of a good season ending. Verstappen-Sainz, a young team will be a good bet, though not easy. On the technical side, we have seen many changes, especially in Ferrari, where, however, the news are not over. The rumors speak of a new change of leadership, between Mattiacci-Arrivabene. If so, it would be quite a good shot. Arrivabene is very familiar with F1, Ferrari’s environment and the Agnelli family. In short, there are still many pieces to put in place.

During the tests in Abu Dhabi, we will have the chance to see in action even Raffaele Marciello, at the wheel of Ferrari. I’ll follow him very carefully, having observed him closely, since his first steps in this world.

Gian Carlo Minardi

Lewis Hamilton is a “race-animal”. After losing the comparison with his team-mate in Qualifying, he was outstanding in race, scoring an overtaking that proves who’s the best team right now. The advantage points are now 24 (of 75 still to be assigned between Brazil and Abu Dhabi) and the “end” word could get in a week. It’s just a matter between them. At the moment, there aren’t other players that can bother them.

It has been a Grand Prix in which Williams has disappointed me. Honestly, I would expect to see both Massa and Bottas fighting for third place. However, Daniel Ricciardo, author of an incredible overtaking, has been fantastic on this front. He absolutely proves himself to be a team-leader, optimizing at his best this Red Bull, which never stops surprising us, “killing” – sportingly speaking – the team-mate Vettel.

Sincerely, I didn’t understand Vettel’s strategy – forced to start from pit-lane – even if he grabbed the seventh place just at the end.

Well done for Lotus, which has risen with a point of Maldonado, and Vergne. The French proved not to be scrapped. He may still be useful for Toro Rosso and Red Bull in a global context, leading important points to Faenza. The team is growing and he can be of help.

With regards to Ferrari, Fernando Alonso continues his positive trend, ridiculing Raikkonen. Unfortunately, the comparison with the Spanish is embarrassing.

As might be expected, Marussia and Caterham’s forfeit case dominated this weekend. We’ll have to wait to understand which way will take this F1, as there’s a lot of irons in the fire, considering third car and new dividing up of rights. Honestly, I don’t think that the third car is the best solution. However, I promise you to analyze problems more patiently later.

Gian Carlo Minardi

A really lively weekend at the spectacular Suzuka Circuit. Before starting to analyze this Grand Prix, we should comment on Red Bull’s public statement, which anticipated the consensual decision to end Vettel‘s relationship and the arrival of Kvyat in his place (we maintained this possible replacement in our Silverstone GP preview). Now, the possible arrival of Sainz in Toro Rosso would start off “the youngest team of all times”.

Certainly, we are experiencing a new course at Ferrari; I believe that for the first time in its history, men of Maranello have been caught off their guard by open games of other Circus actors. Fernando and his management does not seem to have managed the situation too; a sabbatical year of the strongest pilot ever becomes more likely, waiting for winning opportunities in 2016. After many victories together, Vettel and Red Bull relationship, which started 15 years ago, has stopped. Won four world championships at 27, Sebastian felt the need to face a new technical and sporting experience, to try new ideas and incentives, and to regenerate after a season where his team-mate Ricciardo, on several occasions, caused difficulties to him. Waiting to know, even if it’s already taken for granted, where Vettel will race in 2015, we enter in comments of this Grand Prix, expressing later my personal thoughts on these market movements.

The rain – fully forecasted – has affected this GP. Start with Safety Car for two laps, then red flag and restart with the Safety until 10^th lap, when, finally, the real race starts. It was a race, obviously, affected by rain and countless tyres changes: wet at the beginning and intermediate in subsequent pit stops.

Stellar Mercedes, as usual; Hamilton at ease ahead of a wet Rosberg, who was in trouble with the set up of his car. We experienced very interesting duels with certainly engaging overtakings, especially through the work of Red Bull, in a bad day for Ferrari because of Alonso’s retirement at the restart after the first red flag, and a colorless race for Kimi, who struggled throughout the race with grip problems. But this appointment leaves us with a bitter taste in our mouth for its final conclusion.  

The accident of Bianchi, who crashed into the emergency vehicle that was recovering Sutil’s Sauber, get off track just before, suspends any other sporting assessment to stay close to Jules and hope the best for him.

Gian Carlo Minardi

We have experienced a lively Grand Prix, with too many mistakes and the first seasonal retirement for Fernando Alonso, after so many races. It’s certainly not been a good weekend for the colours of Maranello, both in terms of performances and reliability. In fact, Ferrari says goodbye to the home race with a disappointing ninth place and only two points in world ranking for Kimi Raikkonen. The attention at Ferrari’s has been drawn by the statements of both Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo: “In March I told the shareholders and especially the people at Ferrari, who I’m very close to, that I would be available for another three years”, and Fiat-Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne: “No one is indispensable, but the change of Presidency is not on the agenda”. Are these words that may herald a future in “Red” and a stock exchange appearance?

With regards to the race, we saw a determined Hamilton, who has taken his revenge on his teammate, winning the race after a certainly not brilliant start, taking advantage of two Nico’s mistakes and gaining the sixth place of the season and the tenth for Mercedes. Now, the gap with Rosberg is 22 lengths (216 points against 238 of the team-mate). Mercedes is, instead, increasingly alone at the top with a “spoil” of 454 points, compared with the 272 of Red Bull, which says goodbye to Monza with the fifth and sixth place.

Fantastic comeback-race for Daniel Ricciardo, that closes once again before his teammate. After an imperfect start, he managed to put together an amazing comeback, taking up to the fifth position and overtaking on the final also the teammate, who tried to defend himself. No doubt about it. The Australian is now a certainty for the team, which can definitely count on a pilot of the first band. At RB’s, they are certainly covered by a probable Vettel’s change of team, considering Kvyat’s good performance (mistake aside) with Toro Rosso. Forced to burst forth from the bottom of the group, he got closer to the score zone.

Astonishing comeback also for the Finnish of Williams, Bottas, who promptly recovered a disappointing start, finishing just off the podium and immediately behind Felipe Massa. The confirmation of its pilots by the British team is the first sign of stability. Consequently, I also expect the confirmation of Hamilton, at least for 2015.

At this point, the only missing piece is at Honda’s. The court of Sebastian Vettel continues and he asked a few more days to make his assessments. Considering how his season is running, he should change his scenery, in order to find new challenges and incentives. At worst, Honda-McLaren could think of doing another year together with Button, confirming concurrently the present pair.

They are now outlining the forces in the game, with two Mercedes, two Williams and two Red Bull. Mercedes’ Power-Unit raised McLaren in these conditions and market rumours seem to have restored vitality to the ex 2009 World Champion.