F1 | GP BRAZIL, GIAN CARLO MINARDI “COMEBACKS ARE MORE COMPLICATED WITH THIS GREAT COMPETITIVENESS”

For the twenty first round, the third in a row, Formula 1 arrives in Brazil, in Sao Paolo, on a track that is as historic as it is fast, and which has its own peculiarity, it is run anticlockwise.

We are 700m above sea level, in an area characterized by sudden weather changes. The track has been completely resurfaced, certainly an extra variation considering the drivers will have only one session of free practice. In fact, Brazil hosts the fifth of the six Sprint races. On the compounds front, Pirelli continues the trend of soft sets, with C3-C4-C5. A configuration that, lately, has brought good results to Ferrari, author of the last two wins.

Like the win in Mexico, I expect a good fight on the edge of tenths of a second. Approaching the end of the  season, possible penalties for changes of the Power-Units and/or components also come in to play. Precisely on Verstappen’s Red Bull there is talk of possible changes with the consequence of penalties to be paid on the starting grid.

It is certainly a track that favours overtaking and eventual comebacks, even if you must take into account greater competitiveness and an upwards compaction of performances which make an eventual comeback harder. Today we have four teams that can aspire for the podium, if not for the win.

Behind McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes and Aston Martin, there is a fiery battle between Haas and Racing Bulls for sixth place, currently in the hands of the American team that boasts a 10-point lead on the Faenza based team that is recovering slightly. Williams and Alpine, separated by only three points, are fighting for eighth place.

Good GP to everyone

Gian Carlo Minardi